5 Must Have Foods for More Energy and Vitality After 50

A combination of changes to your hormones and metabolism can mean that your dietary needs start to change in your 50’s. Some foods can start to become super important at this stage of your life.

Wondering what foods should be a big part of your diet once you hit your 50’s? According to studies, these foods are a must for having more energy and better health as you get older!

Beans

Beans are packed with fiber and protein. They’re considered a heart healthy food and they’re perfect for keeping energy levels stable throughout the day.

You can try adding beans to stews, soups, pasta dishes and curries to increase your intake and get the benefits.

Apples

Want to protect your heart health? You definitely want to eat an apple a day! A reasonably large apple gives you up to 5g of fiber, which is great for your heart and your digestion.

Research has also linked apples to lower total and LDL cholesterol levels in older women for better cardiovascular health. And according to a 2013 study, eating apples every day can cut your risk factor for type 2 diabetes.

Snacking on an apple a day can have some major health benefits!

Oats

Oats are packed with a soluble fiber called beta-glucan, which can help to reduce total and LDL cholesterol levels by up to 10%. If you’re worried about your cholesterol levels, you’ll definitely want to get more oats in your life

There’s even better news as far as oats are concerned. According to studies, eating oats (and whole grains in general) can help to cut your risk of premature death.

Porridge is the obvious choice for getting more oats in your diet but you can also use them in baking.

It’s not just oats though … whole grains in general are super important in a healthy diet and have the same benefits.

Eat plenty of whole grains to keep your blood sugar levels stable. If you regularly feel the dreaded mid-afternoon energy slump, it’s probably because your blood sugar levels are starting to dip.

Fatty Fish  

Fatty fish such as salmon and mackerel are a great source of omega 3 fatty acids. As well as being super important for healthy cognition as you get older, omega 3s also have big benefits for cholesterol. For women going through menopause, fatty acids can also help to manage symptoms such as hot flashes.

Fatty fish is also one of the few dietary sources of vitamin D. Lots of people are deficient in this nutrient and low levels can affect your energy levels.

Ideally, you want to be eating fatty fish a couple of times per week. Some types of fatty fish are quite high in mercury, especially swordfish and shark. It’s recommended that you eat these types of fish less often because of the mercury content.

If you’re vegetarian or just not a big fan of fish, walnuts are a great plant based source of omega 3 fatty acids.

Nuts  

Nuts are a great source of magnesium, which naturally depletes as you get older. Low magnesium levels are often linked to low energy levels. Snacking on a handful of nuts can help to boost your magnesium levels and provide a natural energy boost. Just don’t go overboard with the amount of nuts you eat as they can be high in fat too. This is the good kind of fat but it’s still fat, after all!

Nuts can also be a good source of vitamin E. Studies have linked high levels of vitamin E to a lower risk of cognitive decline and may even cut your risk factor for developing Alzheimer’s disease.

And a Few More Foods That Can Help!

Soy: For women going through menopause, soy products can be super important. Research has indicated that eating plenty of soy isoflavones can help to reduce the intensity of menopause symptoms. If you’re not familiar with soy isoflavones, these are plant estrogens that mimic the effects of estrogen. Hot flashes are just one of the menopause symptoms that can be calmed with a soy rich diet. And as another added bonus - soy is linked to lower cholesterol levels.

Dark chocolate: The cacao content in dark chocolate can provide a magnesium boost and that means more energy. Just make sure that it’s the type with plenty of cacao so you’re not just eating tons of sugar and fat.

Pumpkin seeds: Worried about your iron levels as you get older? You don’t need as much iron once you start to go through menopause (thanks to the lack of menstruation) but anemia can still be a problem for some women. According to research, your anemia risk can go up with age. Snacking on pumpkin seeds can give you an easy iron boost.