Diets for Living Longer

Diets for living longer include a balanced mix of different foods including carbs, protein and fats. Certain foods are known for their ability to fight off infection, decrease your odds of disease and lead to a longer, healthier life. The following foods are part of a diet that may help you live longer.

Vegetables

Vegetables are the healthiest foods on earth. The USDA recommends that you eat at least 2.5 cups of vegetables each day for people on a 2,000 calorie diet. Eat more than this and you may increase your chances of living longer. Another reason to eat lots of vegetables is their considerable health benefits including lowering blood pressure; reducing risk of heart diseases, stroke and some types of cancers, lowering the risk of eye and digestive problems and keeping blood sugar levels in check.

Include more of the following vegetables in your diet:
Broccoli: excellent source of vitamins A and C and may help decrease risk of getting diseases like heart disease, diabetes and cancer because of the phytonutrients it contains.
Spinach: loaded with vitamins A, C, and folate and may help boost your immune system.
Sweet Potatoes: great source of vitamin A, C, and E and loaded with healthy antioxidants and beta carotene.

Fruits

Fruits are extremely important for diets for living longer and take a close second to vegetables in the best foods you should be eating. The USDA recommends that you eat at least 2 cups of fruit each day for a 2,000 calorie diet. Similar to vegetables, eat certain fruits to help lower your risk of heart conditions, cancer and other health conditions.

Include more of the following fruits in your diet:
Apples: packed with vitamin C and antioxidants that can help protect your body from damage and illness.
Blueberries: high in phytonutrients and may help promote a healthy aging process.
Oranges: loaded with vitamin C, antioxidants and phytonutrients.

Nuts

Include nuts as part of a diet for living longer because they're packed with heart-healthy monounsaturated fats, which can help lower blood cholesterol. Additionally, nuts such as almonds are packed with vitamins, nutrients, calcium and protein.

Fish

Eat fish like salmon because it's loaded with omega-3 fatty acids, which help protect your body against many heart condition, including heart attacks. Salmon is also high in protein and heart-healthy monounsaturated fat.