Our health depends a lot on what we eat. We eat to live – and the more properly and healthier we eat, the longer and more active our life will be.
At each age, our organism has its own characteristics. Therefore it is important that each decade you need to implement little eating habits tricks to not to be hungry and be active and stay healthy at any age.
20 years old: Stock up calcium
The older we become, the harder it is for our body to absorb calcium from food.
The peak of absorbing this useful element comes in teen aging period. After 20 years you should eat as many products as possible to be riched with this element. All this in the future will help to strengthen the bone mass and reduce the risk of osteoporosis.
20 and 30 years old: Eat foods rich in folate and iron
Between the ages of 20 and 30, women most often give birth to their first child, and therefore, to prepare the body for pregnancy as best as possible.It is important to eat as many folate-containing foods as you can.
Leafy greens, spinach, germinated cereals – all this helps to create a supply of folic acid, which contributes to the normal development of the child’s nervous system.
For the same reason, doctors advise women to stay healthy, eat foods that contain iron: during pregnancy, the child “takes” a substantial supply of this element, which increases the risk of developing anemia.
40 years old: Start cutting calories
Seriously, the metabolism begins to slow down only after 50 years, but it is better to start preparing for this in advance.
The need for calories decreases by about 1% every 10 years, then doctors recommend, after 40 years, “cut down” your daily diet by 100 calories.
This will prevent weight gain and, consequently, reduce the risk of developing heart disease and diabetes and helps to lose extra weight if you have some.
40−50 years: Watch the level of calcium
After passing through menopause, women annually lose up to 5% of bone mass. At the same time, it becomes more difficult for the body to “extract” it from products – this is why in 40–50 years it is important to eat as many calcium-containing products as possible, and also to take it in pills.
50 years old: Eat more protein and vitamin D
Another inevitable change that occurs with the female body after menopause is a decrease in muscle mass and some times gain an extra weight.
To maintain health, women after 50 years should receive 600 IU of vitamin D, 1200 mg of calcium and at least 2.5 g of protein per kilogram of body weight each day to stay healthy.
Therefore, revise your daily diet in the direction of more foods containing protein, calcium and vitamin D.
60 years old: Eat more fiber
Fiber or dietary fiber is needed at any age, but it is especially important to receive it in sufficient quantities after 60 years.
At this age, the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases is especially high, fiber helps to reduce the level of “bad” cholesterol and improve digestion. The recommended daily dose – 25−30 grams.
70 years: More Vitamin D
Vitamin D is the most important “deficiency” for the elderly to stay healthy, and yet, after 70 years, the body’s need for it increases by a third: from 15 to 20 micrograms per day.
Be sure to add to the diet more foods containing this vitamin, if necessary, take fish oil – and try to spend more time in the fresh air.
80 years old: Eat more fish
Omega-3 fatty acids, which are rich in many species of fish, as well as olive oil and nuts, are necessary for us after 80 years.
This acid helps maintain heart function, regulates blood pressure and cholesterol, and also helps the brain resist age-related disorders.
5 Healthy Foods for All Ages
When you start eating healthy, you might feel frustrated and lost a bit due to the tons of information on this subject! There are so many diets and recommended products for healthy meals that people often don’t know what exactly will be suitable for them.
This is why we have prepared a list of healthy foods that can help you make your menu more varied, keeping it safe for your health in case of any problems.
Foods Rich In Calcium
We need calcium because it makes our teeth, nails, and bones stronger. This is why you must always ensure you have a source of this element present on your plate! For example, you can add any of these products:
- milk
- cheese
- other dairy foods
- green leafy vegetables
- soya drinks with added calcium
- bread and anything made with fortified flour
Whole Grains
Try to reduce the consumption of refined grains and add more whole grains to your menu. It will help you substantially lower total cholesterol and insulin levels.
Eating at least 2 servings of whole grains daily may even help to reduce type 2 diabetes risk!
Low-Salt Foods
Include low-salt foods to your menu too. Salt tends to retain water in our bodies which often leads to swallowing. Besides, excessive consumption of salt is bad for our hearts!
But a moderate salt intake (less than 5 grams per day) helps to reduce blood pressure and risk of cardiovascular disease, stroke, and coronary heart attack.
Foods Rich In Folic Acid
Folic acid is important for red blood cell formation and healthy cell growth and function. The following products can serve as its source for you:
- broccoli
- brussels sprouts
- leafy green vegetables (cabbage, kale, spring greens, and spinach)
- peas and kidney beans
- liver
Food Rich In Antioxidants
We need antioxidants because they protect our cells against free radicals. As a result, we have fewer chances of getting heart disease or cancer. Antioxidants can be found in the following products:
- broccoli
- spinach
- carrots
- potatoes
- artichokes
- cabbage
- asparagus
- avocados
- beetroot
- radish
- lettuce
- sweet potatoes
- squash
- pumpkin
Foods Rich In Iron
Iron is a mineral that our bodies need to function correctly. It helps our bodies to grow and develop, as well as to produce some hormones and make hemoglobin. You can get iron from the following foods:
- liver
- red meat
- beans
- nuts
- dried fruit
- fortified breakfast cereals
- soybean flour
Conclusion
Eating healthy is great. Healthy food doesn’t only take less energy from your body to process it. It also gives you more energy in return! Besides, fresh food is a rich source of elements and minerals our bodies need to be strong and healthy.
Today, you learned what you should eat for different ages and how the diet for a 20 y.o. person may vary from a diet for a 50 y.o. one. We also shared a list of healthy foods with you that can be added to any menu and any dietary plan, no matter your age.
It depends on the daily amount of calories one consumes now. If the new calory consumption rate won't excess the current one, a person can stick to the existing diet. If you feel ok and your body doesn’t show any worrying signs (e.g., extreme weight loss or muscle mass loss), then everything is fine with your diet. It depends on the condition of their health. If they feel fine following the same diet, then why not? But typically, when growing older, we should adjust our diet to our age.Frequently Asked Questions
⭐Is it required to adjust one's diet to meet new calorie consumption rate (e.g., if a person starts training)?
⭐Is it normal if you eat the same when you are 20 and when you are 30?
⭐Is it acceptable for elderly people to follow the same diet they followed 10 or more years ago?
