The Anti Aging Diet: 10 Anti Aging Foods Women over 40 Should Know

Daisy McFadden of Bronx, N.Y., who will turn 100 this November, believes that her eating habits and everything that goes to her plate has a lot to do with her fulfilling, long life. So the age long question comes to mind, does an anti aging diet really exist?

I look at many products at our market and think how including an anti aging label can help sales. My husband thinks that such strategy will make products fly off the shelves. I am a firm believer of natural anti aging methods, which makes believing in anti aging diet come automatically. With centenarians like McFadden sharing their stories and highlighting the role played by what seemed to the anti aging diet plus the growing number of experts believing that the key to looking young and staying young lies in the food we eat, women over 40 are reconsidering their shopping list.

The Food We Eat

McFadden’s diet resembles that of those who live in Okinawa, Japan, whose community boasts of the world’s largest concentration of healthy centenarians. For years, McFadden wakes up with a bowl of oatmeal, banana, and a glass of cranberry juice. By midday, she prefers a salad of fresh cucumbers, beets, tomatoes, and a serving of white meat. For dinner, McFadden dines with a plate of lean meat and steamed vegetables. Dessert is reserved for a bowl of fresh fruit.

The best anti aging diet follows McFadden’s lead. Dietician Susan Moores of the American Diabetic Association says women over 40 who make healthy dietary choices have the advantage over those who delay this much welcome and even necessary change.

So what food should you load up on? Moores recommend dedicating a shopping cart with these foods and beverages:

1. Fish. Centenarians of Okinawa, Japan know that when it comes to protein the best source ever there is fish -- even better than egg. Cold-water fishes are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which has been proven to reduce the risk of heart disease and promotes brain function. The American Heart Association encourages women over 40 to eat fish, particularly fatty varieties like lake trout, salmon, and mackerel, at least twice a week.

2. Fruits and vegetables. No anti aging diet is complete without fruits and vegetables. Aiming for variety is one good rule to follow if you want to load up on antioxidants. The more color your fruit and veggies basket has the better. For starters, you want to serve generous servings of broccoli, banana, carrots, oranges, white potatoes,

3. Legumes. We just love this super low-cal and hands-down nutritious treat that comes cheap in spite of its tremendous benefits. For variety, strive to use some of the common legumes you can find in the market: kidney beans, black-eyed peas, navy beans, black beans, pinto beans, and mung beans.

4. Nuts. One of the best snack treats there is, ever, nuts are our favorite source of B vitamins that is undeniably good for your brain and heart. The healthy fats contained in these small wonders aid collagen and elastin in the skin, both of which are keys to a younger looking skin resilient against threats posed by pollution and harmful UV rays.

5. Water. Enjoying three to four glasses of water in addition to other watery foods and liquids not only prevents dehydration but also keeps your body at tip top shape, functioning at its best. For example, water is essential for hydration of muscles, circulation and other organs, and, of course, skin. Essentially, every system in our body depends on water. So drink up for better health.

6. Whole grains. Centenarians of Okinawa, Japan are known for loading up on whole grains than refined grains. At least 3 servings of whole grains everyday provides your body various minerals and vitamins that you can’t have when you go for refined grains like white rice or white bread. Switching to these complex carbohydrates like brown rice and oatmeal provides your body immune system-enhancing phytonutrients and soluble fibers that have been proven to lower blood cholesterol levels.

7. Yogurt. For $3.19 for every 32 ounces, yogurt is definitely a great buy. An 8-ounce of plain, low-fat yogurt delivers a quarter of the daily recommended serving of protein of women over 40. Yogurt has all the benefits of a healthy dairy item minus the fat but plus million of healthy probiotics that promotes good digestion. I know how difficult it is to really enjoy plain yogurt, but it is really better than sweetened ones since the latter contains up to 25 grams of unnecessary sugar per serving.

For Younger-looking Skin

If you are aiming for a smooth, supple, younger-looking skin, here is a list of on-target grocery items that can do wonders for the face and body.

8. Soy. Ever wonder why Asians have great, time-defying skin? A soy-based diet. Women over 40 who include soy in their diet shower their body with super beneficial isoflavone aglycone, which contains estrogen-like and antioxidant effects when it comes to fighting fine lines and wrinkles.

9. Dark chocolate. What a better, more pleasurable way to have a younger-looking skin than eating cocoa made of dark chocolate? In one study, women who drink half a cup of coffee showed a positively glowing skin that lasted for 2 hours. The reason: a better circulation. Research shows that women who drink 1/2 cup of cocoa made from dark chocolate every day for twelve weeks showed better hydrated, supple, smoother, and significantly softer skin.

10. Romaine lettuce. Also known as cos lettuce, adding six leaves of romaine lettuce to your diet provides your body more than 100 percent of DV of vitamin A, which revitalizes the skin by promoting better cell turnover. Unlocking the potassium in this super nutritious veggie also gives your skin a refreshing and much needed boost of oxygen and nutrients.