As we get older, we need to become even more aware of our bodies nutritional needs.  Because we are living longer than ever before, we need to keep our body, mind and spirit intact.  A good way to do that is by eating healthy.  We’ve heard this throughout our entire lives, eat your vegetables, drink your water and exercise.

As we age, our bodies start to change.  Our autoimmune system isn’t as strong, our bones get fragile, we get sick faster and our memory starts to fade.  Nutrition is a key ingredient to keeping your body the best it can be.  Fruits and vegetables can help provide you with fiber, vitamins and minerals and can help protect you from heart disease, diabetes and cancer.

Think Green!  There is so much nutritional value in almost anything green, you just can’t go wrong.  And it’s hard to make a mistake when cooking anything green.  Leafy greens can provide fiber, vitamins and minerals.  Best of all, they really do taste delicious.  Top contenders are Spinach, Lettuce, Kale, Swiss Chard, Collard Greens, and of course Broccoli and there are many more green options.

My new favorite, Kale contains a host of benefits.  Iron, Manganese, Copper, Calcium, Fibre, Vitamins A, B1, B2, B6, C and E!  Kale alone can help with respiratory problems through its vitamin A, and reduce the risk of colon cancer from vitamin C.  So give Kale a good chop, and add some garlic, salt and pepper.  A few minutes in a pan with olive oil and you’ll have a nutritional and fragrant side dish.

Add some color to your life!  Fruit is beautiful to look at and even better to eat.  Apples, Oranges, Berries, Kiwi, Bananas, Watermelon, and more.  There are so many fruits and the best part is that you can find fruit year-round so there is a good variety to choose from.  My favorite is Watermelon.  It’s a great source of Vitamins C, B1, magnesium, potassium and nutrients to help promote a healthy immune system.  Bananas are also great because they come in their own package and are high in potassium which is a key element to a heart-healthy diet, and help your bones by preventing calcium loss.

Raspberries are known for being an antioxidant and help protect from various ailments including cancers and cardiovascular diseases. This red beauty offers vitamin C, fiber, manganese and is a good source of vitamins B2 and B3, folate, magnesium, potassium and copper. And they just taste good.

So the next time you go to your local grocery store or farmer’s market, look and think about fruits and vegetables a little differently.  These are not only good to eat, but are a great benefit towards having a happy and healthy body.

So the next time you go to your local grocery store or farmer’s market, look and think about fruits and vegetables a little differently.