Living Longer and Healthier by Eating Proper!

Many of us gain a few extra pounds as we grow older, but the best ever diet (for most folks) comes from life’s natural remedy, which is simply to put less in the mouth and get more exercise. No secrets there of course, but many say that a ‘healthy diet’ is the answer to living longer. This means it’s not just about how much we feed ourselves, but more to do with what we feed ourselves on.

If any of the following foods are on your regular shopping list then you’re doing a great job in taking care of your health and general wellbeing: Fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, nuts (in moderation) and just about any foods that contain omega-3 fatty acids. Actually, the list is endless but you get the idea.

Many nutrition experts are now convinced now that certain foods hold the key to living longer and healthier lives, foods such as eggs from free-range chickens, pecorino cheese, cold water fish, olives, garlic, and even red wine and other alcohols in moderation. These and many other food stuffs are hyped by some octogenarians as a solution to living longer, and should definitely be on your shopping list



Watch that portion! Yes size is very important! So many of us eat until we burst which puts untold pressure on the body’s digestive system. The smaller the portions, the better, and if you’re in a position to eat a little an often so much the better.

Smokers are not generally considered part of the longevity club and rarely outlive the non-smokers among us, but enough said on the dangers of tobacco as I believe most of us are educated enough now to know about the hazards of nicotine addiction and why smoking cannot possibley contribute towards living longer.

Social factors are also important. Faith in a higher power, good lifelong friends and happy family life all contribute to lessening life's work, burdens and everyday stresses and therefore play a role in living longer, healthier, and happier lifestyles.

If we could talk to all the active elderly folks around today, I think the one thing they would all share is that they are not procrastinators. An active lifestyle is so important to good health and wellbeing. Unfortunately, modern life chains so many of us behind those desks of technology, and seems to avert activity as we all tap keyboards, push buttons and automate as much as we possibly can so we can do a little as is manually necessary.

In a lot of the ancient and rural communities around the world, such as those in many Asian countries including Japan for example, people are living considerably longer than modern day city dwellers. They still enjoy the physical interaction with nature and are constantly doing things like fishing, or milking the animals, fixing fences, chopping timber, trimming foliage, roping animals, and cooking from raw ingredients.

For these people this is not an adventure or activity holiday, but something they do throughout their lives. It may sound exhausting to some of us, but, with all that fresh air, close nit family, good friendships, faith, and great range of organic foods, it’s no wonder they are living longer and more contented life styles than many in the urban jungles.

Having purpose or goals in life is also useful. In some cultures, elders are considered respected spiritual leaders. Sheltered accommodation or nursing homes are unheard of. In these rural districts, folks actually look forward to their old age knowing they have a permanent and valued place among lifetime friends amid the communities they love. Wouldn’t it be just wonderful if this were the case everywhere?

We can all do a number of things to better our chances of living longer. Diet and exercise are definitely under our control. So is finding purpose in our lives using prayer and meditation. Other things might include working with others to get what we need and want, and to build community by establishing lifelong friends, to open up and share our fears and insecurities with those close to us, as well as our resources. The time to start living a long, healthy life is right here right now.

We are what we eat, as the saying goes! The time has come where our family should eat food for their health, their wellbeing and to living longer and happier lives!