Slow aging diet – 8 simple strategies

Christopher Thomas

Christopher Thomas has written 125 posts in this blog.

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What is the slow aging diet?

Do we eat on the run? Or only when we have moment to spare? Do we eat when stressed, tired or grumpy. Did we actually notice what we were eating or did we eat whatever is on hand? Do we eat in a disruptive environment or while doing other things (e.g. watching TV, working, studying etc).

This is what is really meant by fast food. Its opposite is SLOW, and is what the slow aging diet is all about – taking the time to become engaged with our diet and our choices as though they matter. In any diet there is a lot to think about!  There are the calories and the composition. There are the fats and proteins, sugars and fiber. There are the vitamins and other nutrients. So how do we arrive at slow and healthy (aging) diet?

There are 8 simple strategies,listed below, that should be followed to form your slow aging diet. Click the links to read more on each.

Strategy 1: fresh is best (unprocessed is better)

A healthy diet is generally one that results in us eating more fresh food. If we follow it, and stick to it, a diet high in fresh produce is always associated with a healthier and longer life.

Strategy 2: Energy-dense foods sink us faster

In the human body, excess calories are converted into fat. Limiting our energy intake has a range of effects that help slow aging, not least of which is avoiding becoming overweight. In any successful diet, there must be a way to control calories, while maintaining a nutritionally-rich intake of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and other valuable elements.

Strategy 3: Slow and steady wins the race

Slow works for aging. It also works for digestion and metabolism. Fast food generally means fast calories and a fast track to energy excess and weight gain. Fast foods are over-processed, overcooked and poor in nutrients and fiber. One way to a slow diet is to avoid fast food.

Strategy 4: Making the most of every mouthful

We have to eat. So when we are eating, why not make the most of a great opportunity?

Strategy 5: Phytochemicals follow the rainbow

All plant products – fruit, vegetables, nuts, grains, legumes and seeds – contain a number of chemicals (phytochemicals), some of which have been shown to have beneficial properties for health and aging.

Strategy 6: Choose the right stuff

Not all fats are bad. Neither are they all good. The same can be said for carbohydrate and protein. Just as important as diet composition is the need to choose the right stuff. Getting carried away with ‘I need 30% protein’ is less valuable than finding the right source of dietary protein for your needs.

Strategy 7: Be prepared

Some foods need to be cooked, such as meat, potatoes and red beans.  Depending on the way that food is cooked, there may be considerable loss of nutrients. The longer and the hotter we cook food, by any method, the greater the nutrient loss.

Strategy 8: Harness the superfoods

Most foods contain useful nutrients that we use to build and renew. Yet all foods were not created equally. Some are in a class of their own when it comes to positive effects on health and aging. 

Related posts:

1. Slow aging diet – a typical day