From balding to gaining those dreaded love handles, reaching 40 can be a bit of a wake-up call. Many of us tend to focus more on our appearance, and less on what’s going on inside our bodies at these pivot points in life. Truth be told, there’s increasing evidence suggesting that what we consume daily significantly impacts how we age.
A Blast from the Q4 Past
When the Archer Daniels Midland (ADM) Company released their Q4 results, I couldn’t help but notice the vast influence large food-processing brands have on what we put on our plates. Many of the food items we find in supermarkets today go through complex industrial processes, which can drastically change their nutritional value.
This reflection sent me down a rabbit hole, researching the deep-seated connection between our health and the origins of our food. It got me thinking; is it possible that the key to our wellness as we age, lies in understanding this complex relationship?
Understanding the Journey: Field to Plate
To grasp the role food plays in our health after 40, we first need to understand how it’s produced. Not all foods are created equal. The journey our food makes from the field to our homes greatly affects its nutritional value.
Conventionally farmed produce, for example, is often grown using synthetic pesticides and fertilisers, and can be harvested long before it’s ripe. This process can lead to reduced nutrients in the final product.
On the other hand, foods you pick up from a local farmer’s market typically have fewer miles to travel, which means they can be harvested at peak ripeness. This allows the fruits, vegetables, or grains to fully develop their nutrients, making them ideal for your overall health.
The Hidden Elements of Food
Being aware of our food’s genesis also includes understanding its ingredient composition. We need to ask:
• Is the food high in sugars, fats, and salt?
• Does it have ample amounts of fibre, vitamins, and antioxidants?
Hitting 40 means we’re more susceptible to chronic ailments, such as heart disease, high blood pressure, and diabetes. Consuming foods packed with sugars, fats, and salt can aggravate our risk of these ailments. Conversely, a diet rich in fibre, vitamins, and antioxidants can boost our immune system and slow down the ageing process.
Using Nutrition as a Defense
Having a firm grasp of where our food originates from and what it contains is the first line of defence against age-related health concerns. Making smart choices at the dinner table can improve our health, help us lose weight, increase our energy levels, and even improve our moods.
Consider your plate a type of preventive medicine. By sourcing fresh produce from local markets, consuming a varied diet rich in nutrient-dense foods, and limiting our intake of processed items, we places ourselves in a stronger position to fight off illnesses, stay active, and live out a healthier future.
Ready to chew the cud?
Are you keen to explore how your current diet affects your overall health as you age? Eager to have a say in your food’s journey from field to plate and consequently, improve your health? Reach out and let’s talk about how small changes in your diet can have a big impact on your life.
Your diet doesn’t have to be set in stone. Changing times call for changing measures. Let’s redefine nutrition after 40, together.
Food doesn’t just keep us alive, it’s our primary source of health and wellness in a world teeming with processed meals. Remember – an ounce of prevention is worth more than a pound of cure.
Make food your first line of defence against the big health challenges. Empower yourself, take control, and start your journey to optimal health today.🌾🍽️
#NutritionOver40 #ADM #HealthFirst
(Remember, I’m here to help guide you through your nutritional journey. Don’t hesitate to get in touch if you’re ready for a health overhaul.)
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