If only we could all keep that brisk metabolism of our twenties as we walk with that suave attitude into our fifties. Alas, our fate is different, so the sooner we embrace the changing hormones and the altered needs of our bodies, the easier it will become for us to maintain our desired weight and stay healthy. After all, it’s not all about shedding pounds, but rather about feeling strong and fit as we age.
Before you immediately start dreaming up those chiseled abs (which are, by all means, made in the kitchen), let’s go back to the basics and see what you can do to eat well and feel your best as you hit the big five-o.
What to avoid Sometimes, it’s about what you shouldn’t do as opposed to what you can do better to help improve your nutrition. Here are some basic pointers for when you reach your fifties that you should take more seriously.
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Choose nutrient-dense over calorie-dense
Calories are your friends, so long as you don’t overeat and store the excess as fat, putting more weight on your frame and making it much more difficult for your bones, muscles, and connective tissue to cope. In addition to quantity, make sure to be mindful of the quality of the food you eat! Nutrient-dense, whole foods are at every turn, and you can even find everything you need online and have it delivered if you can’t find it in your local shop around the corner.
If you enjoy making your own bread, you can even look for organic rye flour online and other essential ingredients to get more nutrients as well as flavor in everything you bake. Unlike your conventional flour, organic rye varieties have more protein, fiber, and healthy carbs. Choose organic ingredients when making your food from scratch, and you’ll have even more control of the quality of your meals.
Pack up on antioxidants Some health issues become more prevalent as we age, and that is especially the case for men in their 50s and prostate cancer. Preventative measures are the best way to reduce that risk significantly, and the quality of your nutrition will help you do just that. For starters, in addition to following the previous “what not to do” tips, you should also make sure that your nutrition is diverse enough. Getting enough antioxidants means that you’ll feed your body the perfect health-boosting ingredients that fight oxidative stress in your cells and reduce the risk of any type of cancer, prostate included. Keep your bones strong As years go by, your body has more trouble retaining both muscle and bone mass. While this is more pronounced among women, the risk for a man in his fifties is also rather high, and you want to use your daily menu to strengthen your bones and muscles properly to prevent deterioration and slow it down as much as possible. To prevent osteoporosis and similar issues with brittle bones, you should look at your vitamin D and calcium intake. Talk to your physician to see if you can get a quality supplement and make sure that you get healthy sun exposure while you consume reinforced foods, too. Whether you’ve decided to shed some weight or simply take better care of yourself, this little guide will help you do both in your fifties. Focusing on choosing the right ingredients and in the right amounts while you also get enough exercise will help you stay in shape and feel amazing as you age! |
QUEERGURU Correspondent PETER MINKOFF is a gay health and lifestyle writer at QUEER VOICES magazine.
Besides writing, he worked as a freelance fashion stylist in Europe and Australia. A true craft beer and soy latte
aficionado, he loves spending his days at the beach and visiting second hand stores
on a daily basis. Follow Peter on TWITTER for more tips.
Labels: 2021, Lifestyle Tops, Peter Minkoff
