Introduction
If you’re over 50, you may be looking for ways to stay healthy and active. Eating the right foods is an important part of maintaining your health, but it’s not the only factor. According to science, there are certain things you should stop doing immediately if you’re over 50. From avoiding certain foods to changing your exercise routine, this article will provide you with the information you need to make the best decisions for your health. Eat This Not That will provide you with the latest research on what you should and shouldn’t be eating, as well as tips on how to make healthier choices. So, if you’re over 50 and looking to make some changes, read on to find out what science says you should stop doing right away.
Stop Doing These Things Immediately, Says Science — Eat This Not That
If you’re over 50, it’s time to make some changes to your lifestyle. Science has revealed that certain habits can be detrimental to your health, and it’s important to make sure you’re doing everything you can to stay healthy and active. Here are some things you should stop doing immediately, and what you should be eating instead.
Stop Smoking
Smoking is one of the worst things you can do for your health, especially if you’re over 50. Not only does it increase your risk of developing cancer, but it can also lead to heart disease, stroke, and other serious health problems. If you’re a smoker, it’s time to quit. Talk to your doctor about ways to quit smoking, and consider using nicotine replacement therapy or other medications to help you quit.
Stop Eating Processed Foods
Processed foods are full of unhealthy ingredients like added sugar, sodium, and unhealthy fats. Eating too much of these foods can lead to weight gain, high cholesterol, and other health problems. Instead, focus on eating whole, unprocessed foods like fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats.
Stop Sitting for Long Periods of Time
Sitting for long periods of time can increase your risk of developing chronic diseases like diabetes and heart disease. Make sure you’re getting up and moving around throughout the day. Take a walk, do some stretching, or take a break to do some light exercise. Even just a few minutes of movement can make a big difference.
Eat This, Not That
When it comes to eating, it’s important to focus on nutrient-dense foods that are high in vitamins, minerals, and other essential nutrients. Instead of processed foods, opt for fresh fruits and vegetables, lean proteins, whole grains, and healthy fats. Eating a balanced diet can help you stay healthy and active as you age.
Healthy aging is about more than just living longer—it’s about thriving as we age. “People may live longer but not be in good health,” says Robert Mankowski, PhD, assistant professor at the University of Florida Health College of Medicine Institute of Aging. “We’re not really interested in extending life span; we’re more interested in extending healthspan.” Here are five things to stop doing after 50, according to experts. Read on—and to ensure your health and the health of others, don’t miss these Sure Signs You’ve Already Had COVID.
Exercise is important for preventing age-related health conditions and maintaining bone health. “Exercise in our 50s is crucial and vital for later on in life because of one word in particular — independence,” says Damien Joyner, an ACE-certified personal trainer, active aging specialist, and founder of Incremental Fitness. “Independence means being able to carry out everyday life activities with little to no help. We need to be able to do chores, pick up groceries, lift things and put them somewhere else. As we age, we should not have to avoid stairs, curbs, uneven surfaces, or other natural or man-made physical obstacles we have in our daily lives.”
Don’t allow sleep to become an afterthought over 50—the American Heart Association just added healthy sleep to its cardiovascular health checklist, “Sleep is essential to every process in the body, affecting our physical and mental functioning the next day, our ability to fight disease and develop immunity, and our metabolism and chronic disease risk,” says Erica Jansen, PhD. “Sleep is truly interdisciplinary because it touches every aspect of health.”
A diet high in salt and sugar can put strain on heart health, doctors say. “We need carbohydrates, but not necessarily processed sugars,” says Dr. Mankowski. “As we age, blood pressure has a tendency to start going up,” says Sandra Arevalo, dietician and spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. “If we continue eating the same amount of salt, we’re making our heart work harder.”
“One way to care for yourself is by getting routine health care in your 50s,” says David B. Samadi, MD. “The goal of this is to develop and maintain the doctor-patient relationship, encourage a healthy lifestyle, screen for disease, assess medical problems and update immunizations.”
Drinking too much alcohol is bad for your health at any age, but it’s especially dangerous for older adults, experts say. “It’s about age 50 that these biological processes start happening,” says Alexis Kuerbis, associate professor at Hunter College of the City University of New York. “Just like our eyesight might fail or hearing might fail, our perceptions are failing. We can’t sense that we’re getting more intoxicated as we age. We think we’re fine.”
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