Healthy eating is important, especially in the later years of life. There are lots of nutrients in a healthy diet that can keep your body and mind healthy so you can live life to the fullest.
As an older adult or recently retired person, you may not know how exactly to optimize nutrition. Follow these tips to make your diet health-boosting and nutritious.
1. Balance Your Plate
Every meal is an opportunity to boost your health. You should follow the national dietary guidelines when creating a healthy plate.
MyPlate is the government’s simplified version of the food pyramid. It shows you how much each food group should be included in each meal.
Each meal should include the following food groups:
- Protein
- Grains
- Fruits
- Vegetables
- Dairy (excluding those with allergies or intolerances)
These food groups all contain valuable vitamins and minerals your body needs to thrive. You are probably well aware of your dietary preferences as an older adult. You can choose your favorite foods when building each balanced meal every day. Eating healthy doesn’t have to be a drag!
2. Pay Attention to Portion Sizes
It is easy to overeat if you ignore serving sizes. Overeating can lead to weight gain, which has consequences for your health in the long run. The amount that you eat is just as important as what you eat. When building your plate, follow the recommended daily serving sizes for each food group.
All packaged foods have a nutrition label that specifies what one serving size is for that food. This means that all the label’s calorie and nutrient information corresponds to one serving size.
3. Take Advantage of Grocery Delivery Services
In the age of technology, almost anything can be delivered right to your front door. Grocery delivery services take the hassle out of grocery shopping so you can focus on other important tasks.
Most delivery services operate through mobile apps. You can sign up for a free account on apps like Instacart, Doordash, and more if you have a smartphone.
This is especially helpful during the colder months of the year. You don’t have to risk slipping and falling while venturing out to shop for your groceries.
Grocery delivery also allows you to avoid the temptation of junk food items on the store shelves. You select what you want to order, and a courier delivers it right to your doorstep. This is a great way to make healthy choices and resist eating unhealthy snacks.
4. Find Senior Communities with Healthy Dining Options
If you are ready to join a retirement community to rest, relax, and enjoy your life, pay attention to their dining options.
High-quality senior communities will have nutritious and delicious dining options all year long. Living in a community with your best interests at heart is important, including your nutrition and general well-being.
If you are touring a community, ask them about their meal plans and dining options. Some helpful questions to ask include:
- Do you offer seasonal meals?
- What are your healthiest dining options?
- Will I have access to a dietician or nutritionist in my living plan?
- What kinds of fresh fruits and vegetables do you serve daily?
- Do you offer nutritious beverages and smoothies with meals?
These questions will help you gain insight into how the community views healthy eating. This is an important part of enjoying retirement, as you will want to be in optimal health to enjoy all that the community has to offer!
5. Use Frozen Fruits and Vegetables for Convenience
If you don’t have the time or ability to cook with fresh ingredients before they go bad, take advantage of frozen foods. You can find most fruits and vegetables in the frozen section of your local grocery store (or on delivery apps). As long as there is no added sugar or salt, frozen foods can be just as healthy as fresh ingredients.
All you have to do is heat up the frozen fruits and veggies for your next meal. This frees up time and energy to make other foods or simply relax. Best of all, you still get the nutritional benefits of fruits and vegetables.
Make Healthy Eating a Priority in Your Later Years
Nobody benefits more from healthy eating and wellness practices than older adults. Take care of the body that you have now so you can enjoy a happy, fulfilling life for years to come!
