If you think that healthy eating habits necessarily mean going on strict diets that are, more often than not, quite difficult to follow, then prepare yourself for some good news. Because not only are you going to find these simple, yet effective rules easy to follow, but you are also going to love every single one of these eating habits after you realize how good they are for your body, especially if you are over 40.
However, they are called rules for a reason, so you do need to adjust your lifestyle a bit. Don't you worry though, because after reading this article, you'll finally realize that healthy, at least when it comes to your eating habits, doesn't mean complicated. With that said, let's get right to the 15 eating habits that you should immediately adopt if you are over 40.
1Boost your metabolism by eating often
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Before delving into key elements for giving your metabolism a well-deserved boost, you should know that metabolism is actually just another word for the process of every chemical reaction that is happening in your body. The process that is, unfortunately, getting slower as you age. But don't you worry, dear reader, as there are some key elements that will, without a doubt, give your metabolism a much-needed boost.
Despite the popular belief, you shouldn't by any means skip meals. On the contrary, you should eat as often as you can and make sure to include protein in your diet, as proteins are responsible for maintaining your muscle mass. Be careful, though, because eating often doesn't mean that you can overeat, so make sure to have that under your control. Moderate eating is the key here.
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2Whole grains are always better than refined ones
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There is a huge difference between whole grains, and refined ones, the two main types of grains. Sure, the refined grains may taste better, but it is whole grain food that is far more healthy solution for you as they contain not just vitamin B and fiber, which is something you have probably heard before, but potassium and magnesium as well. It goes without saying that these nutrition elements help with your digestion which in turn reduces the chances of you getting heart problems and diabetes. And you should know that the word "whole" in grains actually mean being present in its original form and that no part of the seed has been removed.
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3Nuts are also good for you
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You would be surprised how much healthy nutrients can nuts provide. Omega-3 fatty acids, also known as the good fats, a tremendous amount of antioxidants, you name it. All in all, nuts are good for your brain, your heart, but they also reduce LDL "bad" cholesterol levels and help with type 2 diabetes. And the best thing is that you only need a handful of nuts to get everything you need.
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4Lentils can also do wonders for your body
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It might surprise you but lentils are actually very high in protein, so if you want to maintain and even grow your muscle mass, lentils are the way to go. Besides, it is an excellent source of fiber and vitamin B9, not to mention the fact that it contains selenium, a mineral that is not easily found in other foods. As far as benefits of eating lentils are concerned, let's just say that they are plenty. Whether it's about lowering your bad cholesterol levels, or that cognitive decline present in people over 40, or if you are suffering from chronic asthma, lentils can help you fight off all of these problems.
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5Make sure to throw some good bacteria into your system
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Keeping your gut healthy must be on top of your priorities, especially if you are over 40. That's why you need to make sure to throw some good bacteria into your system by eating products such as kefir, and yogurt, and if you want to be extra careful about keeping your gut flora healthy, consider taking a supplement as well. It will do wonders for your body, especially if you are a woman over 40 and you are experiencing premenopausal symptoms.
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