How often do we suspect that something we don’t know might be affecting our health? Quite often, especially when we cross that big 4-0 milestone, don’t we? Well, the same applies for the unseen players behind our daily meals. We only see the end product – gleaming vegetables on our plates or juicy fruits. But what goes into bringing them to our table is an entire process that could potentially alter our health. Have you ever thought about how the agricultural practices behind growing these might impact your health, particularly if you’ve flipped the calendar past 40?
Why the Connection Matters
Before you cast this aside as news that doesn’t concern you, I invite you to pause and chew on this. As we age, our body begins to show signs of vulnerability. Chronic conditions like heart diseases, diabetes, high cholesterol, just to name a few, start to loom in the periphery. If we wish to continue living a healthy, quality life, we can’t ignore nutrition. Remember – you are what you eat! And your food… is what it grows in.
Biodiversity and Our Health
The recent commitment of The International Fertilizer Association (IFA) towards biodiversity sheds an insightful light on this matter. Biodiversity ensures the soil in which food is grown is healthy and rich in nutrients. This move taken by the IFA to promote sustainable agricultural practices is far from irrelevant to any man in his middle age worried about maintaining or improving his health.
Indirect as the connection may seem, sustainable agricultural practices contribute significantly to our day-to-day nutrition. Why? Because these methods ensure healthier soil, which in turn leads to nutrient-rich plants. And if we are consuming nutrient-rich plants, this means better quality food is finding its way onto our plates. So, IFA’s step towards biodiversity could mean a big leap for the health of men over 40.
Quality of Food and Nutrition
Quality of food plays a key role in our health. Studies have shown that there is a significant difference in the nutritional content of food grown in nutrient-rich soil versus food grown in depleted soil. Foods grown in the former contain higher amounts of vitamins and minerals, both of which are crucial for maintaining good health. At 40, reaching for food that is high in nutrition instead of empty calories becomes even more important.
Tailoring Your Plate to Your Health
So, what adjustments should you make to your diet when you’re in your 40s, to navigate your health through this alluring new food landscape? The first step would be to embrace diversity in your diet – just like the biodiversity being promoted in agriculture. Including a variety of nutrient-rich vegetables and fruits in your diet can provide different vitamins and antioxidants, which are essential in fighting diseases.
Remember, the nutrition found in naturally nourished produce is much higher! So aim for diets rich in fruits, vegetables, cereals, legumes and lean proteins, not to mention plenty of water. Dropping processed foods can also do wonders for your health.
Ready for a Change?
Regardless of how you wrapped up your last 40 years, the time to step into being more health-conscious is now, not next week or next year. Embrace the importance of sustainable eating and nutrition over 40. If IFA’s commitment is anything to go by, we can truly make a difference to our health, one sustainable bite at a time. Still wondering how to tailor your plate to your health needs in your 40s? Feel free to drop a line. I’m always here to help you navigate your health journey. #NutritionOver40 #menshealth #sustainableagriculture