Maintaining a healthy diet is an important part of everyday life, and for seniors there are certain dietary requirements that are even more important than before. Not only does healthy eating provide your body with the nutrients it needs to stay active, but it also helps you to retain your mental acuteness as you reduce your risk of heart disease and other health problems.
Even if you have the best intentions to improve your health through a balanced diet, it can be tricky to figure out exactly what you should purchase once you get to the grocery store. The following tips can help you when it comes to navigating your local grocery store and maintaining a healthy diet.
Look for Foods High in Fiber
Maintain a healthy blood pressure or help to lower high blood pressure by including foods high in fiber in your regular diet. Whole-grain bread, beans and nuts are all great sources of fiber, and nuts especially are great for snacking on throughout the day.
Avoid High Fat Content
One easy way to make your diet healthier is to eat meats and cheese that are low in fat. Skinless cuts of meat and ground meats with less than 20 percent fat are best for you, as are “reduced fat” dairy products like yogurt and cheese.
Do you put milk in your cereal and coffee? Switch to 2% or skim milk to help reduce your fat intake.
Purchase a Colorful Array of Fruits and Veggies
To help ensure you are including a wide variety of nutrients in your diet, A Place for Mom recommends picking out fruits and vegetables of all different colors. The color of a fruit or vegetable is an indicator of the specific nutrients within it, so eat a different colored produce with each meal. Fresh or frozen, five servings of these nutritious treats should be enjoyed each day.
Eating healthy can greatly improve your lifestyle, but remember to ease into these healthy eating habits slowly to avoid overwhelming yourself. Even the smallest changes in your diet can help, so start small and continue expanding as you begin to feel the benefits of healthy eating.
As we age, it can become more difficult to get around, making trips to the grocery store a hassle. For all of your mobility needs, BEK Medical offers a wide array of canes, wheelchairs, walkers and accessories to help you maintain your independence. For more information and assistance choosing the right mobility aid for you, visit us online or give us a call at 915-559-1129.
