Good eating habits and a nutritious diet are the core habits that ensure healthy aging. Unhealthy eating habits will lead to problems of overweight or malnourishment and affect your quality of life. Controlling your weight is of utmost importance, as you grow older, so that you can stay away from the many health problems associated with being overweight. Besides, staying in shape makes you feel confident and good about yourself.

People have a tendency to put on weight as they age. This is due to a change in the body’s metabolism wherein fewer calories get burned off and fat deposits get stored faster. Being overweight or obese is unhealthy regardless of age. Besides your extra weight puts pressure on your bone joints and weakens them. Problems like arthritis are hard to deal with if you are overweight.

Regular workouts and physical activities such as jogging, swimming and walking can help in effective weight management. Avoid a sedentary lifestyle to prevent conditions such as diabetes. Plan out an exercise regime and stick to it. Exercising regularly has a positive effect on both the body and mind. Yoga is particularly very effective when it comes to staying both mentally and physically fit. The exercises in Yoga concentrate on breathing, which relaxes the body and mind and make you feel refreshed.

With advancement in age, your body undergoes a lot of changes and it is advisable to pay attention to your eating habits. Controlling the amount you eat is the most effective way to keep your weight under check. Instead of having three square meals a day, eat healthy mini meals or smaller meals throughout the day. Include more fruits and vegetables in your diet and prefer lean meat. Minimize fat heavy food intake and include more fiber rich foods.

Make sure you eat nutritious food and avoid fattening and unhealthy junk food. It is also important to increase your fluid intake as the aging body takes up more water and dehydrates at a faster rate. The daily diet should include not just fruits and vegetables but also a portion of eggs, lean meat, chicken, and fish. These are rich in protein and oily fish are rich in essential fats and Vitamin E. A meat-based entree or a side dish and pulses or grains as the main course make up a balanced, well-rounded meal.

Aging weakens muscle strength, because of which the calorie needs will also come down. However, the body will need the same amount of minerals and vitamins. For overall good health, fresh fruits and vegetables should be included in the diet. Fruits that are high in Vitamin C such as strawberries, peaches, mango, and oranges, are especially healthy, as are green leafy vegetables that are high in Vitamin A. You can even consult a good nutritionist on helping you organize your diet to best suit your changed food intake needs. After planning out a diet, stick to it religiously to achieve the desired results. Nothing works better than discipline when you are trying to regulate your weight.

Author Bio: For more information about health, diet, longevity and Brenda Rusnak, Check her out on LinkedIn.

Category: Wellness, Fitness and Diet
Keywords: weight control, diet, health, longevity, wellness, Brenda Rusnak