It’s been proven that a healthy lifestyle can impact your general health and lifestyle, but there is often a great deal of confusion as to which foods should be eaten to achieve this. With the number of fad diets and myths flooding the internet, do you truly know what you should be putting into your body?
If you’re a little confused about which foods you should be eating to maintain a healthy lifestyle, you’ve come to the right place. This guide will give you a breakdown of the key foods of a well-rounded diet, alongside the health benefits they provide:
1. A Healthier Heart
Maintaining a healthy heart is essential as a general health rule and will limit your risk of contracting heart disease and stroke. Diet plays a major role in preventing these conditions, so it would be advised to eat the following foods:
- Fruit and vegetables
- Fish
- Poultry
- Nuts and beans
- Berries
Do bear in mind that no single food is going to prevent you from suffering from heart trouble. It’s all based on achieving a well-rounded diet by integrating the food above. According to scientists, you can treat yourself to the occasional glass of red wine or piece of dark chocolate too, providing you so do in moderation.
2. Enhances Your Brain Function
One of the biggest fears in older adults is the development of long-term memory conditions such as dementia or Alzheimer’s disease. Researchers have discovered that your diet has a huge part to play in your brain’s function. The following foods have been linked to improved memory:
- Fish
- Fruit and vegetables
- Broccoli
- Eggs
- Dairy products
There are foods that should also be avoided. Scientists have discovered that Alzheimer’s can often start as a result of eating processed foods, sugar and red meat due to inflammation of the brain. Fruits and vegetables, on the other hand, contain healthful antioxidants which reduce inflammation and significantly limits the risk of memory loss.
3. Strengthens Your Muscles
Regardless of whether you’re a fitness enthusiast, it’s essential to maintain strong muscles, as they give you the ability to move with ease as you carry out daily activities. It’s natural to suffer pulled or injured muscles, but it’s your job to build them up again to prevent long-term damage which can be achieved through a good diet.
Protein is an essential nutrient for keeping your muscles in good shape; however, the following foods are also beneficial to add to your diet:
- Low-fat yogurt
- Cheese
- Milk
- Eggs
4. Improves Your Bones
Elderly people need to pay extra attention to bone-health to prevent weakened joints or brittle bones — the latter of which is a condition known as osteoporosis. To build strong bones, you’ll need to focus on implementing two crucial nutrients into your diet: vitamin C and calcium. You can do this by eating foods such as:
- Yogurt
- Milk
- Cheese
- Salmon
- Eggs
- Orange juice
We hope this guide has given you some useful tips on how to maintain a healthy diet for a healthier lifestyle. The key is to make small changes to your diet in order to notice a difference in your general health and well-being.