Eat the foods that slow signs of skin aging, increase bone density, keep our minds clear and our hearts pumping with good health.
Carrots
These veggies supply a hearty helping of beta carotene, and that’s valuable: “Beta carotene is a precursor to vitamin A, a critical nutrient for skin health that also slows skin aging,” says Cynthia Bailey, MD, a dermatologist in Sebastopol, CA. “As an antioxidant, it helps fend off aging for your entire body, too. You get an added bonus because beta carotene warms your complexion, and a beta-carotene-rich glow has been scientifically proven to be more attractive than a suntan.” Carotenoids, such as beta carotene, are best absorbed when paired with healthy-fat foods. So enjoy carrots with eggs in a salad, puree them into a creamy soup with Greek yogurt, or dip them into guacamole. Check out the best anti-aging products for every decade of your life.
Edamame
This hearty protein is full of good-for-you nutrients, including linoleic acid. “This is an essential fatty acid your body can’t make, so you must consume it in your diet,” says Joan Salge Blake, EdD, RDN, a clinical associate professor of nutrition at Boston University. “It’s also the most abundant fatty acid in your skin. In a study of about 4,000 women, people with a diet higher in linoleic acid were associated with a lower likelihood of skin atrophy, better known as the thinning of your skin and which also magnifies wrinkles on your face. The older women in the study who had lower dietary intakes of both linoleic acid and vitamin C also had drier skin.” Edamame is delicious slightly salted and served as a snack, mixed into a stir-fry, or even blended into a breakfast smoothie. Here are the anti-aging secrets dermatologists won’t tell you for free.
Tea
“I always sip a warming cup of tea first thing in the morning, and its anti-aging benefits are just an added bonus,” says Toby Amidor, author of The Healthy Meal Prep Cookbook. “As you age, bone-mineral density tends to decrease, which can lead to fractures. A study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that elderly women who sipped on tea had a lower risk of bone fractures and had stronger bone-mineral density compared to women who did not include tea in their diet. Researchers in the study credited flavonoids in tea, which may help minimize the risk of osteoporosis, or brittle bones, as you age.” Drink tea straight up, or make a green tea latte.
Grapes
“I always make room for grapes in my daily diet.” says Amidor, a nutrition partner with Grapes from California. “The antioxidants and other polyphenols found in heart-healthy grapes may also play a role in healthy aging. Preliminary studies suggest that grape polyphenols may contribute to brain health, colon health, eye health, and more. And they appear to help maintain cell health, which of course is critical to our overall health. Polyphenols are found in every part of the grape—the skin, flesh, and seeds—and in grapes of all colors, including red, green, and black.” Snack on frozen grapes, add them to a salad, or whip up a grape crostini.
Avocado
Avocados are full of monounsaturated fatty acids, and that’s a good thing. “Avocadoes contain anti-inflammatory fats that help to moisturize our skin, delay wrinkles, and protect us from harmful toxins from the sun,” says Melissa Mitri, MS, RD, a dietitian in Milford, CT. “They’re delicious in smoothies, with eggs, in salads, or made into guacamole.” Ani Petrosyan-Baran, LAc, an acupuncturist in Jersey City, NJ, enjoys eggs on whole-grain toast. “Or you can even have a quarter of an avocado, plain, to reap the benefits,” she says. Try it with a sprinkle with everything bagel seasoning! See the quick healthy meals that doctors make every day.
Greek yogurt
“This type of yogurt is higher in protein than other yogurt, and as we age we need more protein-packed foods,” says Christine Rosenbloom, PhD, RD, a dietitian in Atlanta and author of Food & Fitness After 50. “Dairy like yogurt contains the amino acid leucine, a trigger for muscle building and repairs. And yogurt has calcium. I check the label for yogurt that contains vitamin D,” she adds. Your body needs vitamin D to optimally absorb calcium. Enjoy Greek yogurt in a parfait, in a smoothie, or in a dip. Here are skin rules to live by for every stage of your life.
Walnuts
“These are a portable snack packed with anti-aging nutrients,” says Ginger Hultin, RD, a dietitian in Seattle and a spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. “These include healthy unsaturated fats such as alpha-linolenic acid, which is good for the heart, brain, and skin. Walnuts are also a source of biotin for optimal skin, nail, and hair health.” Walnuts are a great snack on their own, and they also make a delicious topping for salads.
Chia seeds
“Ah, where do I start with chia seeds?” says Arlene Dijamco, MD, an integrative physician in Roswell, GA. “They are packed with plant-based omega-3s, antioxidants, and minerals important for clear thinking, memory, mood, heart rhythms, and skin texture. The gel-like consistency of hydrated chia seeds provides soluble fiber that not only helps keep your digestive tract smooth moving but also helps keep cholesterol levels balanced and helps you feel satiated—decreasing your likelihood of overeating. Plus, chia is so versatile. You can use chia seeds in drinks, pudding, oatmeal, veggie patties, salad, granola, and as an egg replacement in baking.” Watch out for these everyday habits cause wrinkles.
Berries
“I eat berries—strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, raspberries, or cranberries—every single day,” says Sharon Palmer, RDN, a dietitian in Los Angeles and author of Plant-Powered for Life. “In the summer, I eat fresh berries. Then I switch to dried and frozen when they are out of season. The research on brain health benefits as they relate to cognition during aging is quite promising. Berries are packed with powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compounds.” Berries provide vitamin C, a nutrient that helps you absorb plant-based iron from foods such as spinach, tomatoes, and beans when the foods are eaten in the same meal. Add raspberries to a spinach salad, or enjoy a berry nice cream. Here are 8 incredible health reasons to add blueberries to your cereal.
Eggs
“Protein-providing foods such as eggs help support muscle and metabolism,” says Jessica Crandall Snyder, RDN, CDE, a dietitian in Denver, CO. “This is especially important as you age, as most people lose 0.8 percent of their lean body mass every year after the age of 40. If you want to prevent muscle breakdown, eating protein-rich foods is critical. Also to properly support the recommended resistance training, you need protein to develop and maintain your lean muscle.” Enjoy eggs in an omelet, as avocado deviled eggs, or in faux fried rice. Get delicious ways to have eggs for every meal.
Fatty fish
“Salmon, mackerel, tuna, and sardines are fatty fish that contain high levels of omega-3 fatty acids, which are known to reduce inflammation in the body and skin,” says Tsippora Shainhouse, MD, a dermatologist in Los Angeles. “Two to three servings a week can also help reduce LDL cholesterol and triglyceride levels. Adding these fish to the diet helps balance the omega-3 to omega-6 ratio, the latter of which can actually trigger inflammation. Fish oil supplements can substitute for eating these healthful, fatty fish, but they don’t provide the low-calorie protein benefit of eating the fish itself.” Grill or broil salmon for dinner, or whip up a tuna salad. See 15 grilling recipes under 400 calories.
Milk
“I always emphasize to my students that it’s best to get your nutrients from foods, so I drink three to four glasses of 1 percent fat milk every day for the calcium, vitamin D, and the protein content to maintain my health and keep my bones strong,” says Sandra Poirier, EdD, MS, professor of nutrition and food science at Middle Tennessee State University in Murfreesboro. “Calcium is a mineral that is necessary for life. We have mostly heard how it helps to build strong bones; however, it is also needed for blood to clot, muscles to contract, and the heart to beat. Vitamin D, often in fortified milks, aids in the absorption of calcium and phosphorus in our bodies, helps bring calcium and phosphorus to our bones and teeth and helps regulate how much calcium remains in our blood. Together with calcium, vitamin D helps protect against the loss of bone mass and reduces your risk of a fracture as you age.” Drink milk straight up or use it as an ingredient in overnight oats or muffins.
Almonds
“I eat nuts daily—all types but especially almonds,” says Bonnie Taub-Dix, RDN, author of Read It Before You Eat It. “They help me feel full and they are heart healthy, as studies have shown that almonds might lower cholesterol levels. They also help keep blood sugar levels from spiking (because of the healthy fat within), they have a satisfying crunch, and most of all they are decadently delicious. Although many of us have been fat phobic for years, it’s important to have healthy fats in our diet to help promote healthy skin as we age along with a sense of well-being.” Enjoy almonds as a snack, use them as an ingredient in energy bites, or add as a topping to oatmeal.
Dark chocolate
“I eat a piece of dark chocolate every day,” says Emily Rubin, RD, a clinical dietitian at Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia. “Who doesn’t love chocolate? It satisfies my sweets craving. It is low in sugar, offers fiber, contains antioxidants, and may even help prevent heart disease.” Rubin suggests looking for chocolate with at least an 86 percent cocoa content. Nosh on a small square of dark chocolate, or use it as an ingredient in oat bites, or make your own almond butter cups. Read on for 12 healthy desserts that can actually help you lose weight.
Bread
“I know many people cut bread out of their diets as they age, but the carbs in bread help power me through my high level of physical activity, says Rosenbloom. “Bread also provides dietary fiber, B vitamins, and iron. I like getting vitamins and minerals from foods instead of supplements. I enjoy both whole grains and enriched grains for variety.”
What’s the difference between whole grain and enriched, refined products? Whole grains contain the entire grain kernel—including the bran and germ—which provides dietary fiber and many important vitamins and minerals. Refined grains have been milled to remove the bran and germ—but most refined grains are enriched to add back nutrients such as iron, folic acid, riboflavin, thiamin, and niacin after processing. Iron is a nutrient that’s under-consumed by women ages 19 to 50 in the United States, and eating both whole-grain and enriched-grain bread can help increase intake of this nutrient, which was labeled a nutrient of concern in the 2015-2020 Dietary Guidelines. These guidelines recommend that at least half of all grains consumed should be whole grains. Here are 7 reasons to eat more bread.
Source: RD
