Simple Eating Tips to Help Increase Your Longevity

It is no secret that what we eat affects our health and overall lifestyle, especially as we grow older. Poor meal choices, along with lack of exercise, are associated with cardiovascular disease, hypertension, type 2 diabetes, osteoporosis, and some types of cancer. Obesity, which has been an increasing problem in America for several years now, is a major cause of these preventable diseases and can lead to premature death.

There are many health risks and behaviors that are showing long-term improvements. These long-term improvements are due in part to the increase in preventive behaviors, including healthy eating and exercise and a decrease in cigarette smoking.

So what steps can YOU take to increase your longevity and live a healthier lifestyle? Here are some simple suggestions to get you started:

• Cook more meals at home. Cooking meals at home gives you control over the ingredients you consume in your food. From a health standpoint, it may not always be in your best interest to take advantage of restaurant specials. Be sure to read the nutrition information when eating out to determine if it’s really a healthy bargain.

• Limit junk food. Vending machines in buildings and the end caps in grocery stores often contain more junk food than healthy options. Brown bag your snacks for work, school, travel or wherever you might be going that day.

• Increase your water consumption. Cut back on sodas, energy drinks, and alcohol – these items not only cost more than water but are typically not very safe or healthy. If you want some added taste in your water, add some fresh lemons, strawberries, or cucumbers for some healthy flavor!

• Stay away from fad diets. Their claims sound great – quick and easy weight loss without much exercise involved, if any, and you can be thin for the rest of your life. Unfortunately, many of these fad diets do not deliver on their weight loss promises and can be damaging to your health. In addition, many fad diets tend to over-emphasize one particular food item, or type of food, which contradicts the guidelines for healthy eating.

• Make lifestyle changes slowly. If you try incorporating all of your newly chosen lifestyle changes at the same time, it could be difficult, if not impossible, to follow them all. Instead, incorporate your lifestyle changes slowly over a period of time, in order to give your body an opportunity to adjust to them, both mentally and physically.