EATING FOR LIFE
Part of my journey into Healthy Active Aging was learning to Eat For Life. I LOVE good food and really dislike feeling deprived. In talking to experts and in my own research and reading, I found that generally following a Mediterranean Diet was the optimal way for me and my family to eat and in the process I learned to love food that is good for me.
A Mediterranean diet generally includes fresh foods such as fish, turkey, chicken, vegetables, legumes, fruits, nuts, whole grains, herbs, spices and olive oil. There is a minimal amount of red meat or processed food. My tips for incorporating a Mediterranean eating style into your life include:
buy fresh, whole ingredients - preferably local and preferably organic
limit dairy and use goat or sheep milk products when possible
eat the rainbow - try to incorporate all colors of fruits and vegetables into your weekly meal plan
when buying a packaged or processed food item, look at the ingredients and choose a product with the fewest ingredients
season foods with olive oil, salt, pepper, herbs and spices; this allows the real flavor of the food to come through rather than covering it with sauces or condiments
avoid products with unknown/unpronounceable ingredients - these are often chemicals/preservatives
try making a weekly meal plan and shop according to the plan; this reduces the opportunity to make less healthy choices (like ordering pizza)
The interesting thing is that once we begin eating the food that is good for our bodies, we actually reduce - and even lose - the cravings for the bad stuff like sugar, fast food and other processed food. We also begin to crave our healthy fruits, vegetables, whole grains and quality proteins. Our bodies WANT the things that are good for us once we release the addiction to the foods that are so common in the typical American diet.
The other interesting thing that happens when we eat the food that is good for our bodies is that we begin to FEEL BETTER. Our bodies begin to process foods better, we have less bloating and indigestion, we have more energy, our immune strength increases and we sleep better. These are all signs that we are treating our bodies well. I for one want to treat my body very well so that I can enjoy a healthy, vital life with a healthspan that is as long as my lifespan.