Healthy Choices
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Eating Well Getting all the nutrients you need to stay healthy is now easier. The government started a program called “MyPlate” to help you make better food choices. MyPlate has the same information found on the food pyramid, but it’s in the form of a plate showing each of the food groups in a place setting.
There are many benefits to eating healthy. Healthy eating is vital for people at all ages. Your daily food choices can make a big difference in your health and in how you look and feel.
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| Studies show that a good diet in your later years benefits you in many ways. It reduces your risk of osteoporosis, high blood pressure, heart disease and certain cancers. As you age, you might start to lose the energy you had. Eating foods high in nutrients will give you an energy boost and make you feel better. | |
Nutritious Choices
- Choose a variety of healthy foods.
- Avoid empty calories. These foods have lots of calories but few nutrients that are good for you. Examples are chips, cookies, soda, and alcohol.
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Pick foods that are low in cholesterol and fat, especially saturated and trans-fats.
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“Healthy Eating & Physical Activity Across Your Lifespan” (English Español)
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National Institute on Aging – “What’s on your plate? Smart food choices for healthy aging”
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Exercise/Fitness
People often think exercise takes too much time or that you need to have special equipment to do it. The truth is that everyone can find simple and easy ways to exercise. Even a few minutes of activity every day can add up to a healthier you. It’s great for the heart, lungs, muscles, and even the brain. If you get regular exercise, you will live a longer and healthier life.
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If you are just starting to exercise, start slowly. Ask your doctor before starting to exercise. You may get hurt if you try to do too much.
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Use all the safety gear needed for the exercise you choose such as a helmet for bike riding.
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Warm up before exercising. Stretch, go on a short walk, cycle or stand in place and pump your arms and legs.
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Remember to breathe while you exercise!
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Drink extra water while you exercise to keep your body hydrated.
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For information on “Stay Well” exercise programs in your area, review this list
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Find a “Big Apple Stroller” walking club in your community
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Avoiding Alcohol Use
How the body handles alcohol can change with age. Older people may react to alcohol in a different way than younger people.
Drinking Too Much Alcohol Over A Long Time Can Be Bad For You
- It can lead to some kinds of cancer. It can damage your liver, immune system, and brain.
- It can make some health problems worse, like osteoporosis, diabetes, high blood pressure, and ulcers.
- It can make some medical problems hard for doctors to find and treat. For example, alcohol makes the heart and blood vessels change. This can make you not feel a pain that might be a warning sign of a heart attack.
- It can make some older people forget things and be confused. A doctor might wrongly think the person has Alzheimer’s disease.
Alcohol and Medicines
Many medicines can hurt or even kill you when mixed with alcohol. That’s true of prescription, over-the-counter, and herbal remedies. Many older people take medicine every day, so this is a big worry. Before taking any medicine, ask your doctor or pharmacist if you can safely drink alcohol and how much.
Getting Help
If you want to stop drinking, there is help. Start by talking to your doctor. He or she may be able to give you advice about treatment. Your local health department or social services agencies may also be helpful.
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Lifenet is a free, confidential, multi-lingual mental health and substance abuse information, referral, and crisis hotline available to anyone at any time. Your call will be answered by a trained behavioral health professional.
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For assistance in English, call 1-800-543-3638.
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For assistance in Español, call 1-877-298-3373.
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For assistance in Mandarin/Cantonese, call 1-877-990-8585.
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For TTY users, call 1-212-982-5284.
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