Eat well to age well
I'm in my 40s. My diet isn't great. Will that affect me when I'm older?
Updated: 2020-07-29
Answer Section
Good health in midlife is important to aging well — staying independent and free of chronic health problems. And diet is an important part of the equation.
If your diet isn't as healthy as you'd like, take action now to improve it. Research shows that adults 45-60 years of age who follow dietary guidelines and adhere to a healthy-eating pattern, such as the Mediterranean diet, are more likely to maintain good physical and mental health in their later years.
Start today by eating more vegetables and cutting back on higher calorie foods. For example, swap that candy bar for an apple and a tablespoon of peanut butter, or veggies and a single-serve packet of hummus.
A diet rich in fruits, vegetables and whole grains, and low in saturated fat and highly refined carbohydrates, is your best bet for good health now and as you age.