It's easy to get overwhelmed with diet and nutrition choices -- especially with busy lives and competing research studies vying for your attention. This month's Women's Health magazine breaks food and nutrition down by the decade in a truly easy way.
Even the title is fun: "The Age-Defying, Libido-Lifting, Bone-Toughening, Cancer-Beating, Eyesight-Saving, Heart-Strengthening, Fat-Fighting Decade-by-Decade Nutrition Plan." Now, who can't get behind that as a concept?
Basically, the magazine says that your 20s are "The Beat Stress Decade," in which it's typical to work late, ear poorly, and stress about life choices. Things to focus on? healthy microwaveable meals, calcium, protein and flaxseed.
The 30s, the article says, is "the Melt Fat Decade," in which metabolisms slow, baby weight stalls, joints start to break down, small wrinkles show up and sleep becomes the most valuable commodity. Solutions? Fish, beans, nuts and low-sugar, high protein snacks.
And for the 40s and beyond, it's "The Fight Disease Decades," where villains can be weakening vision, shrinking muscles, narrowing arteries, disease and memory loss. Get help with blueberries, tuna, beta-carotene and grapes for "a preemptive attack on your body's natural enemies."
Of course, it can't be all that simple. But it's a natural, easy place to start.