Sometimes you don't have to go far to find the fountain of youth. If
you really want to feel younger and fight disease, consider looking no
farther than your plate.
"Our diet plays an important role in our
lives from birth, through the lifespan and into aging," says Rosanna
Lee, a nutrition educator and community health promoter based in
Toronto. "As we get older, we may have reduced appetites, chronic
diseases, and physical symptoms that make it challenging to eat
healthy."
Last time we rounded up the best exercises you can do for
the rest of your life, and this week we've tracked down some of the
healthiest foods and drinks that everyone should eat at least once a
day.
"Choose foods with minimal fat, sugar or salt added. More
emphasis should be made on these foods during meals and snacks," Lee
says. "As we get older, we may not be able to eat as much or as
frequently as we used to so it is important to select foods with higher
amounts of energy and nutrition."
Eating a well-balanced diet also
increases our quality of life. Unsurprisingly, studies have even shown
people with poor eating habits or who are overweight have a higher
chance of developing deadly diseases like cancer and heart disease.
Lee says if you're getting tired of the same old palette, adding new
spices to your meals also works. She recommends a combination of the
Mediterranean diet, the Japanese diet, and the French diet — cuisines
that are low in fat and high in nutrients.
Leafy Greens
Cruciferous vegetables like broccoli, cabbage, spinach and kale provide
our bodies with folate, calcium, and other nutrients that support proper
bone health, promote cognitive function, and prevent age-related eye
problems, says Rosanna Lee, professional nutrition educator and
community health promoter based in Toronto.
Berries
Blueberries, strawberries, cranberries, raspberries and blackberries are
packed with antioxidants that promote cell health and protect us
against disease. "Look for darker berries like blueberries or
blackberries as they provide the best anti-aging benefits due to higher
concentration of antioxidants," Lee says.
Beans
"Beans like
kidney beans and soy are an excellent source of low-fat protein with a
good amount of fibre, antioxidants and essential vitamins and minerals
like iron, vitamin B and potassium." Research has also found that beans
also protect against breast and prostate cancers.
Whole Grains
Whole grains like quinoa, brown rice, barley and bulgur are rich in
fiber, vitamins, minerals and antioxidants that have protective effects
for your body. "Choose breads, pastas, salads and cereals with whole
grains to lower your risk for age-related illnesses like cardiovascular
diseases and cancer," Lee says.
Olive Oil
An essential
ingredient in the Mediterranean diet, olive oil is rich in antioxidants
and anti-inflammatory monounsaturated fats (the good kind of fat). Use
olive oil in your cooking and meal planning to lower your risk for
cardiovascular diseases, cancer and age-related cognitive decline.
Tomatoes
Tomatoes contains rich amounts of lycopene (an antioxidant) that helps
maintain skin texture and reduce your risk for prostate, lung and
stomach cancers, as well as heart disease, Lee says. "It is better to
eat tomatoes cooked, rather than raw. Studies have found that cooking
tomatoes for 30 minutes for about 88 degrees Celsius increases lycopene
concentration by 35 per cent."
Nuts
Almonds and walnuts are
packed with nutrients. These nuts contain healthy fats, vitamins,
minerals and protein that can benefit your cardiovascular and brain
health, she adds. Nuts have been found to also reduce inflammation in
the body.
Fish
Oily fish like salmon, sardines, arctic char,
black cod, rainbow trout, albacore tuna, pacific halibut and Atlantic
mackerel (yes, you have a lot to work with), provide abundant amounts of
healthy omega-3 fatty acids that help prevent inflammation in the body.
Green And White Tea
White and green teas contain
epigallocatechin gallate, which is one of the most powerful forms of
antioxidants. Many studies have found drinking green and white tea may
lower one’s risk for heart disease, cancer and Alzheimer’s disease. And
believe it or not, tea also keeps body hydrated.