 A healthy lifestyle is the foundation of good health. Regular physical activity, healthy eating, and avoiding tobacco have proven health benefits to people of all ages.
- Older people should engage in physical activities that include strength, endurance, balance and flexibility. Only about 25% of older Americans do at least 30 minutes of daily physical activity and only about 12% include strengthening exercises. So get moving!
- Healthy food choices include fruits, vegetables, whole grain foods, low-fat milk products, and lean meats, poultry, and fish. Choosing a variety of colorful fruits and vegetables everyday can make healthy eating fun.
- Safe food preparation and storage principles come from the FightBAC campaign and include keeping cooking areas clean, separating raw and cooked foods, and cooking and chilling foods properly.
- Even older people who eat a variety of healthy foods may benefit from taking supplements that contain calcium, vitamin D, and vitamin B12. Check with your dietitian or doctor for supplement recommendations that are right for you.
Getting checked and screened for various diseases is essential. Routine screening for breast, cervical, and colorectal cancers, as well as diabetes, diabetes complications, and depression have health-promoting and life-saving benefits.
Thinking about making lifestyle changes can be overwhelming. So stay positive with help from family and friends. Set goals, take small steps, find a partner, celebrate your success, appeal to a higher power, and keep your eyes on the prize of good health.
Source: Mary Ann Johnson, PhD, Professor and Faculty of Gerontology, The University of Georgia, Dept. Foods and Nutrition.
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