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Home » Lose Weight Safely » Chew on this: Tips to up your health game – Tallahassee.com

Mark Mahoney, TLH blogger 2:11 p.m. ET March 13, 2017

Mark Mahoney(Photo: Mark Mahoney)

As we continue to celebrate National Nutrition Month during March, consider some of the basic tips to share with your family and friends in support of healthier eating and safe physical activities to enhance our quality of life.

Tips for Healthy Eating

To help you stay on track with your healthy eating plan, follow these tips:

Have three servings of vitamin D-fortified milk, yogurt or cheese.(Photo: loooby, Getty Images/iStockphoto)

Do not skip meals. Skipping meals may cause your metabolism to slow down or lead you to eat more high-calorie, high-fat foods at your next meal or snack Select high-fiber foods like whole-grain breads and cereals, beans, vegetables and fruits. They may help keep you regular and lower your risk for chronic diseases, such as coronary heart disease and type 2 diabetes. Choose lean beef, turkey breast, fish, or chicken with the skin removed to lower the amount of fat and calories in your meals. As you age, your body needs fewer calories, especially if you are not very active. Have three servings of vitamin D-fortified low-fat/fat-free milk, yogurt, or cheese every day. Milk products are high in calcium and vitamin D and help keep your bones strong as you age. If you have trouble digesting or do not like milk products, try reduced-lactose milk products, or soy-based beverages, or tofu. You can also talk to your health care provider about taking a calcium and vitamin D supplement. Choose foods fortified with vitamin B12. Many adults over the age of 50 have difficulty absorbing adequate amounts of this vitamin. Therefore, they should get this nutrient through fortified foods, such as breakfast cereals or from a dietary supplement. Talk with your health care provider to ensure that you are consuming enough vitamin B12. Keep nutrient-rich snacks like dried apricots, whole-wheat crackers, peanut butter, low-fat cheese, and low-sodium soup on hand. Eat only small amounts of such foods as dried apricots and peanut butter because they are high in calories. Limit how often you have high-fat and high-sugar snacks like cake, candy, chips and soda Drink plenty of water or water-based fluids. You may notice that you feel less thirsty as you get older, but your body still needs water to stay healthy. Examples of water-based fluids are caffeine-free tea and coffee, soup and low-fat or skim milk.

Check with your health care provider. If you have a problem eating well, such as difficulty chewing or not wanting to.eat, talk to your health care provider or a registered dietitian/nutritionist. They can give you specific advice on following a healthy eating plan that addresses these barriers to healthful eating. Check with your dentist about caring for your teeth or dentures and your gums.

Health risks of being overweight or obese Type 2 diabetes High blood pressure High blood cholesterol Coronary heart disease Stroke Some types of cancer Gallbladder disease

If you already have one or more of these conditions, ask your health care provider if a modest weight loss (5 to 10 percent of your body weight) could help you feel better or need less medicine If you need to lose weight, make sure that you reduce your total calories, but do not reduce your nutrient intake.

Being active can lower the risks for heart disease and type 2 diabetes. Here a cyclist hits the trail at the Miccosukee Greenway park.(Photo: Democrat files)

Tips for safe physical activity

Physical activity is good for your health at every age. If you have never been active, starting regular physical activity now may improve your strength, endurance and flexibility. Being active may help you live on your own for a longer time and lower your chance of getting type 2 diabetes, coronary heart disease and colon cancer.

Whatever activity you choose, follow the safety tips below:

Ask your health care provider about ways you can safely increase the amount of physical activity you do now Take time to warm up, cool down and stretch Start slowly and build up to more intense activity; stop the activity if you experience pain, dizziness, or shortness of breath Drink plenty of water When you are active outdoors, wear lightweight clothes in the summer and layers of clothing in the winter Wear sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat for sun protection Wear shoes that fit well and are right for your activity

Work physical activity into your day

There are plenty of ways to be active without setting aside a special time for exercise.

The tips below may help you to add more activity to your everyday life:

Take short walks throughout your day. Try a 10-minute walk before breakfast, at lunchtime, and after dinner. Clean your house or garage, or get out and do some yard work Consider joining a fitness facility. Look for outdoor walks or hiking activities sponsored by such groups as the Florida Trail Association or Move Tallahassee

These tips can assist us all in enhancing both our (and our seniors) health (and quality of life) across ones lifespan. Why not focus on pursuing these actions during National Nutrition Month and throughout the rest of the year? These tips can assist us all in enhancing both our health and that of our families and enhance ones quality of life across ones lifespan.

A good resource with evidence-based information for the general public (as well as health professionals) and resources on obesity, weight control, physical activity and related topics can be accessed at the Weight Control Information Network at the following link: https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/health-communication-programs/win/Pages/default.aspx

Mark Mahoney, Ph.D., has been a registered dietitian nutritionist for over 30 years . He can be reached at marqos69@hotmail.com.

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Chew on this: Tips to up your health game - Tallahassee.com

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Home » Lose Weight Safely » Chew on this: Tips to up your health game – Tallahassee.com