Another culprit may be the idea that because we aren’t eating ‘bad’ foods that must mean we’re eating well. That isn’t necessarily true and in some cases may be worse since you’re not getting any nutrition at all. Take, for example, the ‘Tea and Toast Syndrome’ that many senior citizens suffer from. In the February issue of Food Nutrition & Science it was found that seniors who live alone often don’t prepare meals, losing vital nutrients and risking their health. Of course, anyone who has lived alone has probably experienced the exact same thing. Cooking for one can be tough and time consuming. Most single adults would rather eat a small meal of soup and crackers (for example) rather than spend the time preparing a nutritious meal for one. One way to combat this syndrome is to remember that there are easy foods out there with higher nutritional value such as bananas, cheese, and low-fat yogurt. And let’s not forget that fresh veggies are easily cut into smaller portions and can be steamed in a short amount of time. You can probably bet that raw vegetables can be steamed and ready to eat as quickly as it takes a can of soup to heat up, and is much better for you.

We’ve covered how many people are most likely eating wrong but what does it mean to eat right? Something nutritionists suggest in this Fox News article is to ‘eat right with color.’ This means that you should maintain a colorful plate by choosing foods with colors of the rainbows. It guarantees that you’ll be consuming a variety of fruits and vegetables that’ll provide your body with the variety of nutrients and phytonutrients it needs to function at its best.

Do you really eat a nutritionally balanced diet? Share you thoughts in the comments section.

Janet Roberto, M.D.

As a practicing family physician for over 20 years, I have had the privilege to share in the health care of many families – to celebrate their joys and successes as well as support and share struggles and losses. I have seen how lifestyle choices impact a person’s wellness, quality of life, and longevity.

Will the habits you have now really make a difference when you’re older? The majority of all age related illnesses are related directly to behaviors like poor diet, inactivity, stress, smoking, and inadequate sleep. Poor behaviors when you are young can increase the risk of developing serious diseases when you are older like diabetes, heart disease, and stroke, which are responsible for over half of all deaths in adults. The good news? It’s never too late to begin a proactive approach to your health.

Start with the basics – eat right, be active , and maintain a healthy weight. According to the American Cancer Society and the American Heart Association , a healthy diet and lifestyle are your best weapons for maintaining health.

Part of a healthy lifestyle includes a diet with an emphasis on plant foods. You should eat five or more servings or a variety of vegetables and fruits every day. It’s not as difficult as it sounds. The CDC created a web site to help you increase the amount of fruits and vegetables in your diet. You can even join their Fruit and Vegetable of the Month Club. Now that is a new idea!

Remember that change happens a little bit at a time. Start by making small changes to your lifestyle and pretty soon you’ll be on your way to a healthier you.

Janet Roberto, M.D.
Family Medicine

Note: Dr. Janet Roberto is one of the many health professionals who share Juice Plus+^® with their patients and colleagues as a Juice Plus+^® distributor.

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