It’s no secret that women over 40 go through a number of unavoidable changes in life. From the hot flashes suffered by menopausal women, to lower activity levels that make losing weight a tougher task than it already is, if you’ve hit the big 4-0, you better be ready for it all.
But you don’t have to take it all sitting down. In fact, getting active, doing some strength training and putting together healthy meal plans can all deliver lots of health benefits, including lower blood pressure, better-looking skin and improved weight loss.
Foods for Your Diet Plan After 40
Adding or swapping in the following foods or food groups will help you avoid weight gain.
- Eat Healthy Fats – You need fats in your diet to live. But the wrong fats, like saturated fats, can not only contribute to weight gain but can add to cholesterol and triglyceride levels that go up as you get older. Instead, choose foods that are high in healthy fats. Cook with olive oil whenever possible; eat more fish, like salmon, mackerel and tuna; and snack on nuts, seeds and avocado.
- Make Your Protein Lean – As you age, you tend to lose muscle mass. Increasing the percentage of protein in your diet, while staying within recommended levels for a balanced diet will help you fight back. Lean protein sources are best, including chicken, fish, beans and lentils.
- Swap Whole Foods for Processed Foods – It’s time to get rid of white bread, white rice and sugar. The reasons are too many to list here, but one that you might not consider until you’re over 40 is inflammation. Processed foods contribute to the inflammation that many people suffer as they age. Choose instead to go with fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, brown rice and just cut out as much sugar as you can.
If you’re looking for a diet plan that helps you lose weight and get all the healthy nutrition your body needs, get a Herbal One diet plan designed especially for you.
If you enjoyed this post, check out our recent article on how to stay motivated to eat healthy foods.