Healthy Habits And Lifestyle: You Are What You Eat 2

Here are some foods that nutritionists say you must take off your menu starting from today:

Meats

Meat is not as nutritious as we think. It can contain 20 to 30 per cent of fat. Instead, look for lean fish with no more than 10 per cent fat. Or for a healthier protein source that is easy to chew, like lean chicken.

High-salt foods

If you are over 40 or in a high-risk group, doctors recommend that you get no more than 1,500 milligrams of sodium each day. Too much sodium can raise your blood pressure and put you at higher risk for heart attack and stroke.Want to know foods that have a lot of salt? The main culprits are processed foods, such as frozen foods and meat, snack foods, potato and banana chips, and macaroni and spaghetti. Read labels carefully and look for “sodium free,” low-salt, or no-salt alternatives.

Alcohol

Alcohol disrupts sleep and can raise your blood pressure as you age. Though moderate drinking may reduce your risk of heart attack and some types of strokes. But as you age, alcohol may affect you differently, even if you are used to a glass of wine with dinner or a beer with TV. Alcohol can also cause hypoglycemia in people with diabetes. It even affects the way medicines work. Talk to your doctor about your alcohol use.

Caffeine

Although caffeine may not be a problem for everyone, it can make some people feel anxious or jittery. Caffeine can also increase your heart rate and cause sleeping problems. If you are trying to cut back, be sure to taper off slowly. Stopping caffeine too quickly may cause headaches, nausea, or vomiting. Slowly replace caffeinated drinks with water, herbal tea, or decaf as you age.

Whatever your age, you can start making positive lifestyle changes today. Eating well can help you stay healthy and independent – and look and feel good – in the years to come.To eat healthier, you can begin by taking small steps, making one change at a time. For instance, you might just start with taking out meat.