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Most people think that aging has to look and feel a certain way. However, this is just not true. When you put healthy habits into place that ensure proper nutrition and exercise, you will find there are many ways to age in a happy, healthy manner. Staying active with an exercise routine or a wellness program is an excellent start. But when you combine this with a healthy diet, the benefits are compounded. Follow some of our simple tips below to ensure healthy aging.
Diet
Many people are lost when it comes to changing their diet to include healthier foods, and there are a few main challenges most people face. For one, they simply don’t know what or how they should be eating on a daily basis. Without the right information, it can feel impossible to make changes that benefit your health. Second, many people are concerned with cost, as oftentimes healthier eating is confused with being too expensive. Both of these challenges can be easily rectified.
First and foremost, you should always make sure that your diet includes plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins. Many people make the mistake of thinking that healthy eating has to be boring. There is no shortage of exciting, delicious foods that contribute to health and longevity.
Take, for example, some of the most popular superfoods. Superfoods contain large amounts of valuable vitamins and nutrients, but they are not dull food by any means. According to Harvard Medical School, superfoods offer important nutrients that enhance your eating patterns. Among the list of some of the most popular superfoods are apples, oranges, avocados, blueberries, and almonds. When you include superfoods into your meals you will notice immediate benefits in the form of more energy and improved mood.
Eating healthy can also help with digestive issues such as celiac disease and irritable bowel syndrome. In fact, along with supplements and medication, dietary modifications can be an effective way to treat more severe digestive conditions like Crohn’s disease.
And when it comes to cost, you don’t have to go organic or buy the most expensive cuts of meat. Look to whole grains (quinoa, brown rice) in bulk, frozen vegetables and fruits, and even canned proteins like salmon or tuna. And by shopping for regular sales and taking advantage of any additional senior discounts, not only can you get healthy food but you can save money.
Add a Multivitamin
While what you eat is important, how you eat should never be overlooked. If you find that you don’t have consistent eating habits, then you may need to examine some common problems. For example, many people eat too many portions or not enough. Some people skip meals or eat too late in the day. When you regulate your diet, you should consider the foods you eat and also how you eat them.
If you discover that changing your diet is not enough, then taking multivitamins may help you to function better. Vitamin deficiencies are quite common in today’s world. With the right approach to supplements, you can fill in the gaps your diet might be missing, especially when it comes to nutrients, energy and even gut health.
Wellness Programs
Getting involved in a wellness program is a great way for you to stay accountable to your health plan. In addition to helping with your nutritional plan, wellness programs also provide the motivation and support that help you succeed in maintaining your routines over time. If you are enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan, find out if you are eligible for an affiliated wellness program. However, if you don’t have one of these plans, you may benefit from searching for one that offers extra nutritional and/or wellness support. Now is a good time to search for such a plan, with the fall enrollment period (October 15th – December 7th) currently taking place.
Putting the right habits into place will help you feel happier and healthier as you age. But it all starts with making the choice to live the best life that you possibly can. When you commit to staying active and getting the right nutrients, then aging is not so bad.