Diet becomes increasingly important as you age. While daily caloric intake requirements decrease, your body continues to require healthy nutrients. To prevent malnourishment, it’s important to develop good eating habits. Here are some important tips for maintaining a good diet:
- Replace empty calories, such as cookies and chips, with nutritious, calorie-dense foods, such as grains, lean meats, fruits, and vegetables.
- Eat three to five small-portioned meals each day. This will help with digestion and provide your body with the fuel it needs to stay energized.
- Reduce your daily salt intake. This is especially important if you have high blood pressure or heart disease.
- Drink at least a half a gallon of water a day. This will provide your body with the fluids it needs to maintain healthy organ function.
- Avoid foods with added sugar, such as cookies, candy, donuts, pie, etc. This is especially important if you have diabetes.
- Limit your alcohol intake. As your body ages, alcohol becomes increasingly difficult to metabolize. Alcohol can also increase your risk for blood clots and stroke.
While replacing bad eating habits with good ones is important, keep in mind that certain medications and illnesses can have an impact on your body. To find out what’s healthiest for you, consult with your doctor or a licensed nutritionist for guidance.