| Since maintaining their health translates into | | | | hamburger with a healthy veggie burger. |
| continued independent living, learning how to live a | | | | |
| healthier lifestyle is a topic of great interest to all | | | | 4. Salt: Flavor foods with zesty, health promoting |
| seniors. Such issues as obesity, physical stamina, | | | | herbs instead of salt. |
| high blood pressure and cholesterol readings, and | | | | |
| heart problems; illness known to be connected to | | | | 5. Packaged Foods: Replace boxed food meals |
| lifestyle and eating, continue to plague many | | | | with simple meals cooked from fresh produce and |
| unfortunate seniors. | | | | healthy meats. |
| | | | | |
| Doctor's offices, clinics, and hospitals are jammed | | | | 6. Cheese: One of the fattiest foods around! |
| with seniors suffering from debilitating health | | | | Decrease fat and calories by replacing regular |
| problems. For many, the pathway to better health | | | | cheese with one of the new, tasty yogurt or tofu |
| lies, not in the hands of medical professionals, but | | | | based cheeses. |
| in their own hands every time they place a bite | | | | |
| of food in their mouth. | | | | 7. Breads: Replace white bread or rolls with whole |
| | | | | wheat for healthier snacks and sandwiches. |
| The role of food in relation to health cannot be | | | | |
| underestimated. It is what fires the human engine, | | | | 8. Ice Cream: Instead of saturated fat laden ice |
| stokes its fire, and assists in keeping it running | | | | cream, try fat free yogurt for a delicious frozen |
| smoothly for many years. | | | | treat. |
| | | | | |
| Food changes seniors can make to live healthier | | | | 9. Baked Desserts: Choose a cinnamon sprinkled |
| lifestyles include the following; | | | | baked apple instead of apple pie; angel food cake |
| | | | | instead of layer cake, and fruit instead of a that |
| 1. Sugar: This substance undermines the immune | | | | sugary, fat laden baked dessert. |
| system and contributes to obesity. Seniors should | | | | |
| limit their intake to natural sugars such as those | | | | 10. Pickles, Olives, Condiments: Most are loaded |
| found in fruits. | | | | with salt, sugar, or both. Raw celery, parsley, and |
| | | | | other fresh herbs are great substitutes for these |
| 2. Caffeine: Actually, a drug, replacing caffeinated | | | | unhealthy foods. |
| liquids with decaffeinated drinks results in | | | | |
| decreased nervous problems, and better sleep. | | | | Today's seniors are aging well in comparison to |
| | | | | past generations, and with a few dietary changes, |
| 3. Saturated Fats: Every study shows saturated | | | | millions more can live a healthier lifestyle. |
| fats, those fats that come from animal products, | | | | |
| clog arteries, and contribute to heart problems. | | | | To learn more about maintaining a healthy, active |
| Seniors should choose low saturated meats like | | | | lifestyle, visit Safe at Home Alert. Be sure to take |
| chicken or turkey, and substitute the greasy | | | | a look at their 24/7 alert system. |