As you begin to get older, it is going to become more and more important that you eat right, since you need fewer calories as you age. The choices you make in nutrition are going to be so important, since you have few calories to work with when making the right decisions Nutritionist portland. Making the wrong choices when it comes to aging and nutrition can lead to weight gain and even more health risks, so it’s time that you learn to eat right. Whether you need to lose a few pounds, you want to eat to feel better, or you just want to stay in good shape, it is imperative that you eat the right foods and get as many nutritious foods as you can each day. So, the following are a few tips for eating right as you age that will help you make sure you get the proper nutrition.
Tip #1 – Get Plenty of Protein – If you are going to eat right and get the proper nutrition, you need to make sure that you get plenty of protein in your diet. There are plenty of foods out there that are rich in protein, and eating the right foods are better than trying to take protein supplements. While you don’t want too much protein, about two 3 oz servings of meat each day is about enough to suffice. A few great foods that are great sources of protein include chicken, beef, eggs, fish, cheese, pork, and milk.
Tip #2 – Watch the Fat Intake – When it comes to aging and nutrition, it is also important that you watch the fat intake you get each day as well. While you do need some fat in your food to stay healthy, you’ll want to avoid too much fat; in fact, only about 20-30# of your calories each day should be calories from fat. On the other hand, diets that are extremely low on fat can be bad for your body, since they won’t give you the nutrition that you need.
Tip #3 – Eat Carbs for Instant Energy – When you need instant energy, carbohydrates are what you need, as well as fiber. In order to get the nutrition you need, about 55-60% of your daily caloric intake should be carbohydrates, although you want to get most of this from whole grains, vegetables, and fruits as well. While a bit of sugar and refined carbs are okay, you’ll want to do your best to eat right and get the best nutrition possible by eating healthier carbs. The fiber is specifically important, since it helps you make sure you have plenty of good bacteria inside your intestinal tract. You can find fiber in foods such as corn, brown rice, oatmeal, strawberries, bran cereal, whole grain breads, apples, and carrots.
Tip #4 – Meet Your Vitamin Needs – As you get older, you’ll need to eat right to make sure that you get plenty of the important vitamins your body needs. Vitamin A is important and you can find it in milk, eggs, fish oils, and liver, although you can get other forms of the vitamin from eating carotenoids, including carrots, Brussels sprouts, pumpkin, red and green peppers, cantaloupe, and mangos. Some of the other important vitamins you need for proper nutrition include Vitamin B6, Riboflavin, Vitamin B12, Choline, Folate, Vitamin D, Vitamin C, and Vitamin E.
Tip #5 – Eat to Get Important Minerals – Minerals are very important when it comes to aging and nutrition, although you don’t hear as much about them as you do vitamins. However, they are extremely important to seniors. Calcium is important if you are going to avoid osteoporosis, chromium can help with weight regulation and blood sugar regulation, iron is important, magnesium helps to supplement the bones, and potassium, selenium, and zinc are other important minerals that you need to get in your diet on a regular basis to feel and look your best.
It is important that you eat right as you age, and the right foods can provide you with the nutrition that you need each day. Make the most of what you eat, and remember that aging and nutrition should go hand in hand if you want to live out a long and healthy life.