Eating Habits That Are Wrecking Your Body After 60, Experts Say
Whether you've just entered your 60s or have been there for a second already, you can likely feel your body undergoing many changes. And because of this, it's important to continue adapting healthy habits with food and exercise.
While there are plenty of habits you can try that will help you in your health goals, there are also certain ones that can wreck your body as you age. To find out which eating habits you should avoid in your 60s, we talked with some expert dietitians to get their advice.
Continue reading to learn more, and for more healthy aging tips make sure to check out The Most Common Age-Related Problems After 60.
Read on, and for more on how to eat healthy, make sure you avoid these 100 Unhealthiest Foods on the Planet.
Read the original article on Eat This, Not That!
Not eating enough protein
Getting enough protein in your diet is important at any age because it "can help maintain muscle mass, strength, bone health, and is one of the best ways to help with your weight loss efforts," says Courtney D'Angelo, MS, RD, author at GoWellness.
However, protein becomes even more crucial for your well-being as you age. "Those over the age of 60 are more at risk for losing muscle mass, and not eating enough protein throughout the day could expedite the process," says D'Angelo.
She suggests incorporating more foods like eggs, salmon, grass-fed beef, chicken, or turkey into your diet when you can. "You can even adapt a healthy habit in the morning by choosing to add whey protein to your coffee or oatmeal, that way you can start your day off strong."
Not drinking enough water
Another common habit to avoid in your 60s is becoming dehydrated and not drinking enough water. "As you age, your sense of thirst may diminish," says Lisa Young, PhD, RDN, the author of Finally Full, Finally Slim, and member of our medical expert board, "therefore, people in their 60s tend to be dehydrated more so than those who are younger."
Eating late at night
Many people may not realize this, but eating late at night can be detrimental to your health, even if you're partaking in healthier foods!
"Late-night eating often goes hand in hand with ultra-processed junk food and is particularly problematic, as overeating at night has been associated with weight gain, blood sugar fluctuations, and diabetes in an already vulnerable population," warns Young.
A low-fiber diet
One of the worst eating habits to have is not getting enough fiber into your daily diet, because this nutrient is key in helping you live a healthy life.
"Make sure to include insoluble fiber to keep you regular, and soluble fiber to nourish the beneficial bacteria that live within your gut to improve the absorption of nutrients, reduce inflammation, and positively impact your mood," says Kara Landau, RD, gut health expert dietitian and founder at Uplift Food.
For a good dose of fiber, try incorporating foods like berries, oatmeal, apples, beans, or chickpeas into your daily diet.
And for more, check out these 108 most popular sodas ranked by how toxic they are.
Read these next:
- Popular Foods Ruining Your Body After 60, Say Dietitians
- The #1 Best Diet After 50, Says Dietitian
- Over 60? Here's How to Live Longer
