As we age, many of us may be exploring ways that we can live well and live longer. The good news is that being healthy and happy can be as easy as saying you're A-B-Cs! Start today with these easy tips.  

A.    Attitude – Jumpstart your path to living well and living longer by accentuating the positive aspects of every experience, and greeting daily tasks with cheer and happiness.  

B.    Boomers – Boomers put the “fun” back in the fundamentals of healthy aging by enjoying physical activities such as cycling, practicing yoga, climbing, swimming, and sailing. 

C.    Colorful foods – The bright colors found naturally in fruits and vegetables are often associated with health benefits that are important as we age.  

D.    Digestion – Digestive health begins with regular physical activity, adequate hydration, and eating a balanced diet packed with fiber-rich fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.  

E.    Eye health – Eating foods rich in nutrients like beta-carotene, lutein, and vitamin A can help keep your vision and eyesight sharp as you age.  

F.    Functional foods – Functional foods are foods or food components that may provide health and wellness benefits, and reduce or minimize the risk of certain diseases and other health conditions.  

G.    Graceful aging – Stay forever young by combining a balance of healthy eating and regular physical activity with a positive attitude.  

H.    Heart health – We’ve all heard a lot about what not to eat, but there are also foods like stanol/sterols, omega-3 fats, whole grains and fiber that can promote heart health.  

I.      It’s all about you – Three keys to leading a more fulfilling life may be strong personal relationships, satisfying work, and understanding yourself.  

J.     Join in – Join a group of friends for enjoyable weight-bearing exercises like dancing, tennis, walking, or jogging several times a week to promote bone health. 

K.    Know your fats – Some types of fats like polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) and monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) are linked to good health and are important to include in your diet. 

L.     Lycopene – This antioxidant is found in tomatoes, tomato products, watermelon, and grapefruit, and may help reduce the risk certain cancers. 

M.   Milk and minerals – Milk and dairy products contain minerals like calcium and potassium that are important for maintaining bone and heart health.   

N.    Nutrient-dense foods – Increase the nutrient-density of your diet by adding frozen and canned fruits and vegetables, which are picked, packed, frozen, or canned when antioxidant and nutrient content are at their peak.  

O.    Osteoporosis – Combining weight-bearing exercise and diets rich in minerals like calcium and phosphorus at every age is the best way to help reduce your risk for osteoporosis later in life.  

P.    Power of protein – Adding high-quality, protein-rich foods like lean meats, seafood, legumes, eggs, and yogurt to your diet may can help prevent or minimize muscle loss as we age.  

Q.    Quick tip to boost your diet – Many of us struggle to get the nutrients we need as we age and one way to give your diet a boost is to fill your plate with functional foods like fruits and vegetables, whole grains, fiber-rich cereals, low-fat dairy, and fortified foods and beverages.  

R.    Reap the benefits of soy – Adding soy products like soy milk, cheese and yogurt as well as certain veggie burgers or nutritional bars to your diet may help reduce your risk for cardiovascular disease by lowering total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol levels, which is especially important as we age.  

S.    Safe food handling – Older adults are often more susceptible to foodborne illness making food safety a critical element of healthy aging. But good news, most foodborne illness can be prevented using a few simple food handling and storage steps. 

T.     Taste is part of the spice of life – Taste perception often declines as we age but you can make foods more flavorful by adding herbs and spices, particularly those that may have added health benefits like cinnamon, ginger, capsaicin (found in red pepper), and curcumin (found in turmeric).  

U.    Use your thinking cap – Keep your mind active with activities like reading, word puzzles, or learning a new skill or hobby to help maintain overall health and well-being as you age.  

V.    Variety – You can promote health at any age and maximize the nutritional benefits of your diet by eating a variety of foods like whole grains, lean meats, low-fat dairy, and fruits and vegetables.  

W.   Weight management – Help manage weight as you age by selecting foods rich in fiber and protein, which help you stay full longer.  

X.    Xylitol – This sugar alcohol or sugar replacer may help promote oral health by reducing the risk of dental caries, and is commonly found in sugarless mints and chewing gums. 

Y.    Yogurt – This functional food contains probiotics that may help to promote digestive health and immunity.   

Z.    Zest – Important keys to living well and living longer include eating a balanced diet with a variety of health- promoting foods, engaging in regular physical activity, maintaining a positive attitude, and never losing your zest for life!

What keeps you healthy and happy as you age?