Lets face it -- we're all getting older.
And while we all want to live longer, the quality of life as we age is what really matters.
I recently watched Regis Philbin playing tennis with 100-year-old Roger Gentilhomme and marvelled at how well this man could still get around the court.
It's probably a combination of great genes, great attitude, fitness and some good eating that has kept him so healthy and vibrant for a century.
There's a lesson here. Keeping healthy, fit and well so that our "golden years" can be really golden takes some work through our life and it's never to early or too late to start.
Notably, the benefits of a Mediterranean style diet have recently been touted in a study about healthy eating and healthy aging. Specifically, the components of the diet, which provided the health benefits were high consumption of vegetables, fruit, and olive oil.
Here is a small list of ideas to help you live a longer, healthier life:
- Have you eaten delicious strawberries yet? Go to your nearest grocery store or market and buy some. They are delicious and good for you.
- Make a lentil salad for your next meal. Add some cut up peppers, tomatoes, onions, fresh herbs and finish it with a dash of olive oil and you'll be having your taste of the Mediterranean. You can also put the salad into a whole-wheat pita for a vegetarian lunch.
- Grill some salmon on the barbecue for your fix of omega-3 fats, which have been associated with healthy aging.
- Grab a handful of nuts, either for a snack, to toss into a salad or to add to your stir-fry.
- Make a smoothie of low fat yogurt and fruit for a refreshing summer drink.
- And, of course, enjoy a nice glass of wine (just one!) with your next healthy meal.
