When discussing the topic of healthy eating after 50, calcium often comes up. Yes! We should be eating more calcium-rich foods. Calcium has already been talked about many times – maybe too many times! So, other than calcium, what nutrients and foods should we eat more of after 50 years of age?

5 Foods You Should Eat More Of After 50

1. Bulgur

With increasing use of medications, regularity may be an issue. We know that fiber is important in regulating motility. But, in particular, insoluble fiber is important in creating bulk. Among all whole grains, bulgur clocks in the highest on the insoluble fiber scale, at 8.6 grams of insoluble fiber per serving. Spelt and barley come in second and third. You should remember that when you increase insoluble fiber, you must increase fluid intake as well.

2. Green Lentils

Lentils are simply a nutrition powerhouse! Just a cup of cooked lentils provides more than 15 grams of total fiber. That’s 62% of the daily value of fiber you need! In addition to their high fiber content, lentils also have high potassium content. Potassium is a mineral that counteracts what sodium does to the body. In other words, potassium helps lower blood pressure! The wonderful properties of lentils don’t stop here. Lentils are very low on the glycemic index, even lower than beans, making them a staple for folks with Type 2 diabetes.

3. Fish

Fish is the only food source that provides marine-based omega-3 in the form of DHA and EPA. Both these essential fatty acids are important for lowering blood cholesterol – particularly triglycerides. Furthermore, DHA plays a critical role in brain function maintenance and hence assists in preventing Alzheimer’s Disease. In addition, all fish has fewer fat and calories per ounce than other meats, like chicken and beef, making fish a waistline-friendly food. In general, just two servings of fish per week can help you reach your DHA requirement.  If you are a vegetarian, you may consider taking an algae-based DHA supplement.

4. Avocado

Bananas are often regarded as a high-potassium food. But half an avocado actually has more potassium than a whole banana! Plus, avocado is a good source of heart-friendly monounsaturated fatty acids, the same fat found in olive oil. So take advantage of avocado’s natural fat content, and use it as a dip, spread, and more.

5. Plums

Plums are not on this list just because they can be dried into prunes! Instead, I chose plums because of their purple color. The whole purple-color group collectively has the highest antioxidant level of all the colors. So enjoy your plums, blueberries, blackberries, concord grapes, and more!

Study found Mediterranean Diet may cut Alzheimer’s risk

Researchers from the Columbia University followed more than 2,000 seniors from New York for 4 years. The data from their food frequency questionnaire as well as incidence of Alzheimer’s disease were analyzed. Results showed that those who consumed a diet closely resembling the Mediterranean diet had a 40 percent lower risk of Alzheimer’s than those who adhered the least to the diet. The results were published online in the Annals of Neurology on April 18, 2006.

Editor’s Note – Mediterranean Diet benefits more than Heart!

The Mediterranean Diet was made famous by an European study published in the New England Journal of Medicine in 2003. Researchers followed more than 22,000 people living in Greece and investigated their eating habits. During the 4 years of the study, researchers found that the closer people followed the Mediterranean diet, the less likely they were to die from either heart disease or cancer.

Mediterranean Diet

The Mediterranean diet is not really a set diet. It is simply a healthy eating pattern – a pattern close to the dietary guidelines recommended by the American Heart Association. This diet is high in the good fats (monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats) as present in fish, olive oil and nuts and low in saturated fats and trans fats. It provides an excellent source of fiber and antioxidants due to the variety of plant-based foods.

• Olive Oil: olive oil is used almost exclusively in Mediterranean cooking. Olive oil is a rich source of monounsaturated fat, which can lower total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol while increase HDL cholesterol . It is also a source of antioxidants including vitamin E. Researchers from the University of Michigan Health System published a study in December 2008 in the Journal of the American Dietetic Association. They suggested 8 to 10 servings of high-MUFA foods per day.
• Fish: Fish, especially “oily fish”, such as salmon is high in omega 3 fatty acids, a type of polyunsaturated fat which can also lower cholesterol. In 2002, the American Heart Association made a recommendation to the general public to include at least 2 servings of fish per week. For details, please read Fish and Heart Disease.
• Fruits and Vegetables: These are high in beneficial fibers and antioxidants, which are protective against both heart disease and cancer. Indeed, a recent study published in January 2006 by London researchers showed that 5 servings of fruits and vegetables reduce the risk of stroke by 25 percent.
• Wine: People from the Mediterranean region drink 1 – 2 glasses of wine (usually red wine) a day with meals. Red wine is a rich source of flavonoid phenolics – a type of antioxidant which protect against heart disease by increasing HDL cholesterol and preventing blood clotting. For more information, please read Red Wine and Heart Benefits
• an abundance of plant-based foods such as fruits, vegetables, bread and other cereals, potatoes, beans, nuts and seeds
• olive oil as the major source of oil used
• moderate amount of fish; little red meat is consumed
• low to moderate amounts of dairy products (mainly cheese)
• wine is consumed in low to moderate amounts
• eggs are consumed not more than 4 times a week
• an active lifestyle

It is still too early to conclude that the Mediterranean Diet is effective as a preventative measure for Alzheimer’s disease. However, it certainly does not hurt to follow this heart-healthy diet!

The Bottom Line

Good health after 50 is usually a result of a healthy diet and lifestyle maintained when you’re younger. But it is never too late to start!

Gloria Tsang, RD

Alumni: University of British Columbia – Gloria Tsang is the author of 6 books and the founder of HealthCastle.com, the largest online nutrition network run by registered dietitians. Her work has appeared in major national publications, and she is a regularly featured nutrition expert for media outlets across the country. The Huffington Post named her one of its Top 20 Nutrition Experts on Twitter. Gloria’s articles have appeared on various media such as Reuters, NBC & ABC affiliates, The Chicago Sun-Times, Reader’s Digest Canada, iVillage and USA Today.