Introduction
As we age, our bodies naturally start to slow down and our health can start to decline. But, there are certain eating habits that can help slow down the aging process and keep us feeling young and healthy. According to dietitian, the #1 best eating habit to slow aging is to eat this, not that. This means that instead of eating unhealthy processed foods, we should focus on eating whole, nutrient-rich foods that are packed with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Eating this way can help reduce inflammation, boost immunity, and keep our bodies functioning optimally. In this article, we will discuss the benefits of eating this way and provide some tips on how to make it part of your daily routine.
The #1 Best Eating Habit to Slow Aging, Says Dietitian — Eat This Not That
Aging is a natural process that everyone goes through, but there are certain habits that can help slow down the process. According to dietitian and nutritionist, Dr. Sarah Krieger, the number one habit to slow aging is to eat a balanced diet.
Dr. Krieger recommends eating a variety of foods from all the food groups, including fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats. Eating a balanced diet helps to provide the body with the essential nutrients it needs to stay healthy and strong. Eating a variety of foods also helps to ensure that you are getting a wide range of vitamins and minerals that can help to slow down the aging process.
Dr. Krieger also recommends avoiding processed and sugary foods, as these can cause inflammation in the body and accelerate the aging process. Eating a diet that is high in processed and sugary foods can also lead to weight gain, which can further accelerate the aging process.
In addition to eating a balanced diet, Dr. Krieger recommends getting regular exercise, getting enough sleep, and managing stress levels. All of these habits can help to slow down the aging process and keep you feeling and looking younger for longer.
You really are what you eat, especially when it comes to the aging process. The foods and drinks you consume on a daily basis have a larger impact on how you age than many people realize, so it’s important to consistently incorporate some healthy, easy eating habits into your daily routine!
According to Laura Burak, MS, RD, author of Slimdown with Smoothies, and founder of Laura Burak Nutrition, one of the best daily eating habits for healthy aging is following the Mediterranean Diet.
“Staying consistent with healthy habits such as focusing on the elements of the heavily studied Mediterranean Diet, is key to contributing to a longer healthier life. Incorporating plenty of nutrient-rich produce and other omega-3 (aka heart-healthy) foods like fish, avocado, nuts, and olive oil can slow the aging process.”
Continue reading to learn more about the aging benefits of following a Mediterranean-inspired diet, and for more healthy aging tips, check out Diet Secrets of the Longest Living People in the World.
How the Mediterranean Diet can slow aging
The proven health benefits of the Mediterranean Diet are overwhelmingly positive. Studies have found that following this eating pattern can significantly reduce the risk of fatal cardiovascular disease, stroke, coronary heart disease, and overall mortality rates.
One study published in JAMA Network followed over 26,000 women, and after years of follow-up, they concluded that adhering to a Mediterranean style of eating lowered their risk of cardiovascular disease.
How to follow this eating pattern
The Mediterranean Diet is called a “diet,” but it’s mostly an eating pattern to follow loosely. Instead of counting calories or limiting how much you eat, this habit is more about incorporating healthy fats and other important nutrients.
The emphasis is put on consuming mostly plant-based foods, whole grains, legumes, nuts, seeds, fatty fish, and olive oil while limiting your consumption of meat to rarer occasions. A Mediterranean diet also usually limits how much dairy you consume but also encourages yogurt for its probiotic effects.
The takeaway
This eating plan gives you plenty of freedom because there’s no requirement for how much of each food group you need. This takes away the feeling of restriction and allows you to find the foods you enjoy eating that can fit within the plan.
To start cooking in a way that follows the Mediterranean Diet, try these 15 Best Mediterranean Diet Recipes.
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