Foods to stop eating as you age
THE list of things to do or not to do as you age is quite extensive, and included on that list are foods which can add to or subtract from your quality of life. Dietitian and nutritionist Jenelle Solomon said foods should be chosen with the utmost care as you get older, especially in light of the many complications that accompany the ageing process.
“Poor-quality foods, for example foods that contain hydrogenated oils or what we call trans-fat, are definitely on the top of the card when we look at things that you may want to consider avoiding as you age,” she said. ‘This can be difficult because they are in so many of the foods you enjoy, such as pastries, popcorn and pizzas.”
She noted that avoiding trans-fats is important as it is proven to raise cholesterol levels and/or increase the risk of high cholesterol in older people. Solomon also pointed out that these foods are also associated with other health conditions, such as cardiovascular disease, stroke and hypertension, which also share a very close relationship with ageing.
Solomon said other anti-ageing foods that you would want to avoid include processed red meats and all other fatty meats such as beef, pork, bacon, and sausages.
“These foods are packed with saturated fats and sometimes a lot of preservatives. There are a number of reasons you will want to avoid eating them. These foods are usually filled with additives and preservatives which are linked to the ageing or wrinkling of the skin. Saturated fats, on the other hand, can do a number on the body,” Solomon noted.
She explained that in older people who are not as active anymore, the metabolic rate will become slower, so consuming these foods could lead to obesity.
Another group of foods Solomon recommended to avoid as you age are high-energy dense foods.
“High-energy dense foods are high in calories — foods like potato chips, fries, fried chicken, cheeseburgers, and even some baked products. These products are known for increasing bad cholesterol and decreasing good ones. They also encourage fat build-up and increases the risk of cardio diseases,” Solomon said.
Alcohol intake is another factor that should be monitored as you get older, according to Solomon.
“We hear the saying all the time that a little wine is good for the heart, and there is no disputing that. However, what should be of concern is when drinking becomes too habitual and in large quantities.”
She explained that alcohol dries out and ages the skin, and can also damage vital organs such as the liver if overused.
Your salt intake should be equally monitored.
“You will find that the taste buds become insensitive to some flavours, salt being one of them, and so you may try to make up for this by adding more salt. But this should not be,” Solomon said.
She pointed out that salt is known to encourage water retention which causes bloating, and also offset or negatively impact those who suffer from high blood pressure.
She also encouraged keen attention to be paid to the nutritional information on packages. Time should be invested in researching contents of foods since unhealthy produce are oftentimes disguised under other names, for example, trans-fat is often listed as hydrogenated oils.
