Foods for Living Longer and Better

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Foods for Living Longer and BetterFrom

Mark Stibich,

Ph.D.,

Your Guide to

Longevity.

About.com Health's Disease and Condition content is reviewed by our

Medical Review Board

 

Eat Your Way To LongevityThese foods

and drinks will help your body fight off the damage caused by aging. Just

work them into your daily and weekly meal plans and you'll be getting

extra vitamins, antioxidants and other substances that will help your

body fight age-related illnesses. Start today!

1.

 

AvocadosAvocados lead my list of anti-aging

foods because that are just so delicious. Of course, avocados are loaded

with healthy fats to help improve your cholesterol, but the main reason

to eat avocados is because they taste so good.

2.

 

WalnutsI know I need to eat more

 

omega-3s and that fish are a great source, but I have to admit that

possible

 

mercury contamination of fish has got me a bit scared. That's where

walnuts come in. Turns out that walnuts are a great (and mercury-free)

source of omega-3 essential fatty acids. Eat a handful or two a day for

all your omega-3 needs.

3.

 

Green VegetablesI know, it's pretty boring to

talk about the need to eat more vegetables -- but here's the thing, we

all really need to do it. In fact, if the country could get 5 or more

servings of fruits and vegetables every day, we'd see a huge decrease in

heart disease, cancer, high blood pressure and more. So find some way to

eat one more veggie or fruit this week, then add another next week until

you get to 9 servings. Focus on leafy or deeply colored vegetables for

the most benefit.

4.

 

WaterWater is good for you. This seems pretty

basic. There is some disagreement in the medical world whether drinking

TONS of water is really a good idea, but while the experts sort that out,

stay focused on water. Your goal should be to make water your primary

drink. This way, you'll be drinking a no-calorie, no-chemical drink all

day long instead of the many high-calorie, high-chemical alternatives.

 

5.

 

BerriesBerries are packed full of antioxidants

and other chemicals that your body can use to make repairs and prevent

some of the damage caused by aging. Best of all, berries taste really,

really good. Be sure to eat your berries without any sauces or sugars.

Just enjoy them plain for their goodness.

6.

 

Green TeaGreen tea has been a longevity

supplement in Asia for thousands of years. It is a great thing to work

into your daily life. Green tea contains high concentrations of just the

chemicals your body needs. Green tea is also inexpensive, delicious and

gives a mild (and gentle) energy boost from its caffeine.

7.

 

Red WineRed wine is good for you -- it contains

a substance called " resveratrol " that help your body fight off

age-related illnesses. At the end of your day have a glass or two to

relax and unwind. You'll get the benefits of a delicious drink along with

the anti-aging properties of resveratrol.

8.

 

BeansBeans are a great source of healthy

protein and antioxidants. Really, beans are a wonder food. Some

researchers (like

 

T. Colin Powell) believe that animal protein may cause many of the

illnesses we face as we age. Switching to a (healthy) vegetarian diet

certainly will help improve the health of your heart and arteries. Beans

are a necessary part of any healthy vegetarian diet. If you don't want to

go all the way to vegetarianism, then just start by substituting a few

meals a week with bean-based entrees.

9.

 

MelonsWhen I think of fruit, I don't always

think of melons. That's a shame because melons have some of the best

nutritional profiles of all the fruits. They are pulpy (so they fill you

up) and contain lots of vitamins for your body. Work melons into your

daily/weekly diet and you'll be reaping health benefits as you enjoy

them.

10.

 

ChocolateI put chocolate last in this list only

because it doesn't need to be higher up to get your attention. Chocolate

(dark chocolate, that is) is good for you. It has a balance of fats that

don't harm your body and tons of healthy chemicals that your body needs.

The only draw-back is that chocolate also has calories. Have a little

square every day, but don't overdue it.

 

 

http://longevity.about.com/od/lifelongnutrition/tp/top-anti-aging-foods.htm