Seniors Are Encouraged to Include Five Foods for Best Results
The youthful and vibrant skin we see on the outside actually begins on the inside including foods we eat and will not eat, in addition to our sleep patterns, exercise habits, and other lifestyle choices.
Diet is especially key, says wellness expert, and author of Glow 15 and High Fiber Keto, Naomi Whittel. “It’s so important to consider food as part of our anti-aging arsenal because food nourishes every cell in our body.”
For our residents at Victoria Landing, the only waterfront assisted living community in Melbourne, FL, our Chef provides gourmet meals three times daily. If the featured dish isn’t exactly what you craving, other healthy, nutritionally balanced options are always available. We pride ourselves on our belief that eating well is a healthy part of living well. You will find the five super foods for seniors mentioned below are regularly integrated into our daily breakfast, lunch, and dinner menus.
Whittel also stated, “When your body is nourished, it can do exactly what it is capable of. It can anti-age itself, it just needs to be activated. Science shows us that food does this.”
Proper nutrition supports collagen synthesis which is effective in fighting wrinkles, achieving a clear and bright complexion, supple hydration retention, and skin elasticity and vitality.
5 Anti Aging Foods for Seniors:
Artichoke
A spiky artichoke may not be the first snack you think to reach for when seeking a health boost, but these thistle-family wonders offer a host of whole-body benefits. “They’re rich in soluble fiber, specifically inulin, a powerful prebiotic that is the absolute favorite food of your gut microbiome,” says Whittel. “Eighty percent of our immune system lives in our gut, so eating artichokes can boost your immunity, metabolism and mood. They are also a good source of key nutrients, including ‘electrolyte’ minerals (sodium, potassium, magnesium) and they are rich in antioxidants and vitamin C, supporting collagen development and overall anti-aging.”
Avocado
Avocado toast is a health food. “Rich in the antioxidant vitamin E, avocados have been shown to reduce damage from UV rays and make skin more resilient,” says Whittel. “This high-fat fruit lowers LDL, raises HDL, and reduces triglycerides. In fact, regular avocado consumption may make you 50 percent less likely to develop metabolic syndrome.” Drizzling avocado oil on salads—or swapping it in occasionally in place of olive oil—is another smart strategy: “It’s revered for improving cardiovascular health, weight management, and blood glucose control, and it’s overflowing in oleic acid, a monounsaturated omega-9 fatty acid shown to reduce inflammation and lower your risk of breast cancer,” says Whittel.
Wild Alaskan Salmon
Nicholas Perricone, MD, first published his famous anti-inflammatory diet, which recommended eating salmon twice a day, back in the 1990s. It remains sage advice. “Salmon is rich in omega-3 fatty acids that reduce inflammation, prevent dry skin, and ward off skin cancer,” says Whittel. “It also contains plenty of vitamin E, which may act as a protectant against photoaging, the premature aging of skin caused by UV rays.” The benefits of incorporating salmon into your diet will go beyond radiant skin. “With negligible carbs and an abundance of B vitamins, potassium, and selenium, this strong swimmer contains astaxanthin, a compound shown to reduce joint pain and improve muscle recovery, which are both very important in the anti-aging process,” says Whittel.
Broccoli
“Besides being one of the best foods to eat for reducing your risk of cardiovascular disease, this water-rich cruciferous vegetable is loaded with sulforaphane, a potent phytochemical that activates your detox process, cleaning up old cells and helping your body to behave like it did when it was younger,” says Whittel. Broccoli also contains significant levels of lutein, a carotenoid that protects the eyes and enhances brain function.
Ready to Make Your Healthy Lifestyle Change?
Victoria Landing Assisted Living and Memory Care in Melbourne, FL is a resort style senior living community promoting healthy, energized living with incredible views of the Indian river and Historic Downtown Eau Gallie. Victoria Landing has programs and activities that are inviting and rewarding. Collectively, they promote each resident’s “whole health” – physical, intellectual, social, and spiritual. For more information on our gourmet superfood menus and all the amenities of active waterfront senior living, contact us today.
