Healthy eating is of utmost importance to living a long, healthy life. Eating a well-balanced meal is easy when you have access to restaurant style dining, but when you cook for yourself, think of integrating the colors of the rainbow (not artificial colors, of course!) into the meal. Each meal should include:
Fruits and Vegetables
There are five main colors groups of fruits and vegetables that you should be incorporating into your diet. They are red & pink, blue & purple, green, white & brown, and yellow & orange.
Whole Grains
When it comes to whole grains, choose brown rice or whole wheat pasta instead of white rice or regular pasta. Whole grains typically have more nutritional value due to the increased fiber, iron, protein, and carbs that they have.
Lean Protein
Chicken, seafood, eggs and beans are all great sources of lean protein. Protein helps maintain the tissue and muscle in your body, regulates body functions and can even help regulate your weight.
Low-Fat Dairy
Milk, yogurt, and cheese all come in low-fat or non-fat varieties. If you are lactose intolerant or even vegan, the good news is that there are tons of non-dairy alternatives on the market now to provide the same benefits as dairy.
Vitamin D is especially important as we age, so exposure to sunlight for a few minutes a day is recommended. If you are spending extended amounts of time outdoors, be sure to use a sunscreen with broad spectrum UVA/UVB protection.
Further reading on this:
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