Eating the age-defying

Muscle & Fitness/Hers, August, 2003 by Kristina Haar

Eating well helps you feel great, and that's what feeling younger is all about. The key to age-defying eating, says John La Puma, MD, co-author of The RealAge Diet: Make Yourself Younger With What You Eat (HarperResource, 2001), is to choose foods you enjoy that are rich in nutrients and relatively low in calories. These include low-fat dairy foods, fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and lean meats and legumes.

Check out these food behaviors and see the age-defying benefit. If you can't answer YES to all of these questions now, look for ways you can make some adjustments so your food choices can help you feel younger and healthier.

* Do you eat a flavorful, low-calorie, high-nutrient diet?

* Do you read food labels before you buy?

* Do you use liquid oils instead of solid fats?

* Do you eat breakfast every day?

* Does whole milk taste too rich for you to drink?

* Do you eat sitting down, with a place setting?

* Do you have fun when you eat?

* Are you getting the recommended amount of calcium?

* Do you get lean protein at least three times daily from low-fat or fat-free dairy foods?

* Does your waist measure less than 35 inches (40 inches for men)?

* Is your HDL cholesterol 50 or higher (40 or higher for men)?

* Is your LDL cholesterol 100 or less?

0-3 YES Responses:

You may be missing your chance to feel your best. Try adding more nutritious foods to your daily meals as a simple and delicious way to treat your body right.

4-8 YES Responses:

Overall, you're making enough good decisions concerning your health to feel the benefits. Make further small improvements to help fuel your active lifestyle.

9-12 YES Responses:

Your smart decisions and consistent good habits will help you feel younger longer.