During our teenage years and even potentially into our 20s and 30s, we could eat just about anything and not pay the price. Then, into the 30s and 40s, we might be able to get away with some indulgences if we were good most of the time and kept up on our exercise.
But after 50, it’s time to cut foods out if you want to fight excess weight gain and cut down on the risk of things like heart disease and diabetes.
Buffalo Center for Rehabilitation and Nursing has a look at five foods you should virtually eliminate from your diet after turning 50.
- Fried Foods
Chips, fries, onion rings and other fried foods pile on the calories and are high in saturated fat, which does a number on your bad cholesterol. Some ways to be able to indulge in a smarter way include not ordering these items at restaurants but to make them at home, and an even better idea is to invest in an air fryer to cut the calories from the oil and grease.
- Sugary Drinks
Not only soda, but bottled teas, coffee drinks, lemonades, and other fruit drinks are loaded in added sugar. Be sure to check the labels and look up the sugar content on your favorite coffee drink when you order out.
- Packaged Foods
Packaged foods are loaded with preservatives in hidden sugars that are not good for your body, especially the pancreas and liver, increasing the risk of fatty liver disease—an affliction that’s becoming more and more prevalent in people of all ages in the U.S.
- Frozen and Other Instant Meals
As high blood pressure is an issue for nearly every three in four Americans over the age of 60, eating a frozen meal or something like a canned soup is one of the worst things you can do due to their high sodium content. When you’re looking at labels, anything that contains 5% or less of the daily recommended amount of sodium can be considered a low-sodium food, while anything around 20% is high in sodium.
To learn more about Buffalo Center for Rehabilitation and Nursing and all of the services they offer, visit http://buffalo-center.facilities.centershealthcare.org.
