Most adults are already well aware of the impact their diets have on their bodies. Eating foods packed with vitamins and nutrients while low in sugars and “bad fats” not only helps you manage your weight, but you’ll maintain the best overall physical health, too. For seniors, a nutritious diet has benefits like lowering the risk for diabetes, hypertension and heart disease, and can aid in strengthening bones and teeth.
Recently, research reveals that the types of food we eat can also have an impact on memory and cognition. Healthy eating not only has a positive effect on your physical health, but it can also help protect brain cells and reduce the risk for developing dementias such as Alzheimer’s disease.
Sometimes, making the right food choices can feel difficult. It’s often easier to grab a pre-packaged, salty or sugar snack to quench a craving than it is to reach for a healthier option. However, there’s no time like the present to evaluate your current diet and to start making some healthy changes — especially when armed with the knowledge that incorporating the right types of food for the brain may help lower the risk for cognitive decline.
Some well-known “superfoods” have already been identified that offer benefits above and beyond others. In particular, they aid in fighting disease and boosting immunity, two things that can drastically improve overall quality of life. These foods are also known to improve brain health, so it’s important to start adding them to your diet — the sooner the better! A few of the best foods for a healthy brain include:
The main thing to remember when starting a brain-healthy diet is to make smarter decisions about nutrition overall. Try to avoid saturated and trans fats, processed foods, sugars, and any grain that isn’t whole grain. A general rule of thumb is that if what’s in your kitchen can last many, many years, it’s bad for you. On the other hand, if food can go bad, it’s good for you. Properly planning ahead for the week can also help; chop up veggies and portion out fruits and nuts ahead of time so you don’t find yourself reaching for that convenient, sugary snack instead of a healthier option.
At Advent Christian Village, we understand the impact good nutrition has on the body and mind. Enjoy healthy meals daily in the Rumph Dining Room, Lopin’ Gopher Deli or Village Café. Plus, the Village Grocer, located right on campus, carries a wide variety of fresh foods for those who prefer to cook a nutritious meal at home. We invite you to contact us to schedule a personal, guided tour so you can see all that ACV has to offer.