Good nutrition is one of the most important ingredients for optimal aging. The right kinds of food contain all of the vitamins, minerals, proteins and other nutrients that our bodies need for strength and vitality. Thus as we age, “eating right” becomes increasingly important—more so than what we put on our skin, what we put in our bodies is crucial. We are what we eat, after all, so if we’re eating the foods that can help boost the body’s collagen production, reduce unhealthy inflammation, and help fight skin-damaging free radicals, we’re on our way to increasing our chances to age gracefully and healthfully. But which foods are the most important? We’ve taken the guesswork out of your next shopping list for you with a round-up of the ones you should be eating regularly.
The top 15 foods that should be on your shopping list for optimal aging
- Blueberries. This superfood is a tasty and powerful antioxidant, meaning they help your body fight free radicals (aka unstable molecules that attack our cells). They also pack a punch, containing fibre, Vitamin C, Vitamin K, and Manganese in their tiny package.
- Leafy Greens. There’s a reason these foliage-colored veggies top every “best foods for you” list! Spinach and its family members are full of antioxidants, as well as fiber for the digestive system and heart health.
- Green tea. Not strictly a food, this warming drink has long been known for its antioxidant and phytochemical ingredients which help to decrease inflammation as well as fight those nasty free radicals.
- Cooking and baking sidekicks olive oil, flaxseed, and turmeric are menu must-haves. Olive oil is rich in heart-healthy monounsaturated fatty acids, while flaxseed is full of fiber and helps lowers cholesterol as well as keeps the skin hydrated for an improved appearance by being high in omega-3 fatty acid ALA. Turmeric is a natural antioxidant that helps lower inflammation in the body.
- Proven to help fight the appearance of wrinkles and skin damage, add these Vitamin C stars to your menu: lemons, oranges, pineapple, and broccoli. Vitamin C is necessary for collagen production, which naturally decreases as we age. Thus adding lemon, pineapple, and oranges helps generate this protein that supports our skin structure. Oranges are also high in carotenoids that help protect the skin from UV light.
- With all this talk of skin, what about hair? That’s where eggs come in. Rich in choline, a nutrient that’s thought to help support our cognitive functioning as we age, eggs also contain biotin which is key to hair and scalp health.
- Watercress. An unlikely superfood, this leafy green contains calcium, potassium, magnesium, and carotenoids.
- Dark chocolate. Yes, chocolate made the list of healthy foods. But it’s dark chocolate, specifically, that’s high in antioxidants, increases blood flow for wrinkle-fighting moisture in the skin, and may help reduce inflammation levels.
- Pumpkin and carrots. These orange fruits are high in vitamin A and beta-carotene, which are important for healthy vision and cell reproduction.
Visit our Inspiring Stories blog for recipe inspirations, and read more about our Living Loving Local initiative to ensure that we serve our residents the freshest, healthiest ingredients. Locally sourced and prepared fresh by our Red Seal-certified chefs, our fresh take on dining is designed to delight the tastebuds in nutritionally-packed dishes. Sign up for our newsletter as well to get a fresh recipe emailed to you monthly!
*Always check with your trusted healthcare professional before embarking on a new diet. Some foods don’t mix well with everyone’s dietary needs and may have medical contraindications.
