Healthy Aging… at ANY Age!

September is Healthy Aging Month, so you might expect a blog about nutrition for the post mid-life years. And that’s a valid topic for sure. But, truthfully, shouldn't we all be eating for “healthy aging” no matter how old we are? 

Why wait until your 40s, 50s, or 60s to explore the concept? Why wait until you have something to fix about your health? Kids are aging, teens are aging, 20- and 30-somethings are aging. The sooner everyone focuses on eating for healthy aging, the better, right?

Turns out there’s a recent study to back that up. 

A 2022 study in Norway set out to estimate how life expectancy would change as a result of changes in diet. Researchers identified an “optimal” diet as one with substantially higher intake of whole grains, legumes, fish, fruits, vegetables, and nuts, and lower intake of red meat, processed meat, and sugar-sweetened beverages than the typical Western diet. 

Ok, so no surprise that increased intake of fruits, vegetables, nuts, legumes, and whole grains, plus a decreased intake of red meat, processed meat, and sweetened beverages correlates with higher life expectancy. 

But, wait, there's more….

Eating more whole grains, legumes, and nuts – and less red meat and processed meats – were estimated to be the most effective ways to increase longevity in someone starting from a standard diet. This might be because people who eat a typical Western diet tend to already eat some fruits or vegetables. So just increasing fruits and veggies without also increasing legumes, nuts, and whole grains won’t give you as big a bang for your buck. 

Now here’s where this study gets really interesting….

The earlier you start, the more gains you can expect. 

Read that again.

So someone who makes and maintains a shift from the standard diet to an optimal diet at age 20 would likely increase life expectancy by more than a decade.

That blew my mind.

The same shift at age 60 predicts an increase of 8 years in women and almost 9 years in men. And at age 80, the predicted increase is between 2.5 and 4 years. Still amazing results.

Worried you have SO much to change that you’ll never achieve “optimal diet” status? 

Fear not. 

Unlike some studies, this one also looked at what authors called a “feasible” diet, which they identified as something half way between a standard diet and an optimal one. Even shifting from a standard diet to a feasible diet showed some gains in longevity. 

You see, some change is better than no change. 

I’m not talking about perfection here. Or instantaneous transformation. (I mean, have you met me?) I’m talking about a gradual process of incorporating changes that have profound potential to change your life. 

So, before Healthy Aging Month is over, make the commitment along with every member of your family to start shifting your eating habits. Because, as we now know, it’s never too late OR too early.

Need help getting started? Let’s chat and I’ll show you how simple it can be.