Aging: The Battle Against Time
Indulge in Nourishing Delights for a Vibrant Life, Expert Advice from a Health-Span-Focused MD
Image by Jen Grantham / Stocksy
Simple Tips For a Longer, Healthier Life from a Health-Focused MD
Aging, my dear fashionistas, is a celebration of wisdom, life experience, and compassion. But let’s be real, no one wants to slow down and lose their strength, right? Well, fear not! The fabulous Florence Comite, M.D., a precision medicine doctor, has the secrets to avoid those pesky side effects of getting older.
According to Dr. Comite, “Aging may be inevitable, but getting sick certainly isn’t. With the right tools, my dear, you can actually stop biological aging and even reverse it!” Isn’t that just divine?
Now, after decades of working with patients, Dr. Comite has discovered that food choices play a vital role in the aging equation. Yes, my lovely fashionistas, diet is the second most important predictor (right after beauty sleep, of course) of metabolic health and longevity. So, are you ready to eat your way to eternal youth? Here are Dr. Comite’s top five tips:
1. Always Build Your Plate like a Star
Just like a fashionista planning her outfit, Dr. Comite recommends giving protein a starring role in all your meals. This magnificent macronutrient is a pro at slowing down the absorption of sugar and regulating appetite. Managing your blood sugar is key to achieving longevity, as high glucose levels are associated with a higher perceived age and higher biological age. And trust me, my darlings, you don’t want to look older than your fabulous wardrobe!
There’s no specific universal amount of protein you should consume daily, but most experts now recommend enjoying 1.2 to 2.0 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight. That means most of us fashionistas should aim for at least 100 grams of protein a day or around 30 grams with each meal. And yes, my vegan and vegetarian darlings, you want to make sure you get plenty of protein too. It’s not as easy as finding the perfect pair of shoes, but it’s worth it!
Oh, and don’t forget to pair your protein with fiber to further tame the glucose effect. It’s like adding the perfect accessory to complete your fabulous ensemble!
2. Refine Your Carbohydrate Game
Now, my fashion-forward friends, not all carbs are “bad,” but let’s face it, those refined carbs and starchy foods are not our best fashion statement. You know, the processed breads, cookies, pastas, and sugary drinks that make our taste buds sing but do nothing for our health. Well, listen up because Dr. Comite has some wisdom to share.
These high glycemic index villains have the power to spike your blood sugar levels. And yes, my lovelies, the extent to which they do so may vary from individual to individual. In fact, Dr. Comite personally wears a continuous glucose monitor to test how her sugar levels react to different foods—she’s a real-life sugar detective!
Research shows that eating more added sugars, starchy foods, and starchy vegetables is a surefire way to experience greater weight gain and poor metabolic health. And trust me, ladies and gents, poor metabolic health is not on-trend this season.
So, how do you know if a food will send your blood sugar soaring? Simple! Dr. Comite recommends becoming a master label reader. “If the protein outweighs the combination of carbs and sugar, you’re doing just fine.” See? It’s like decoding a fashion secret!
3. Nighttime Snacks: The Perfect Balance
Ah, sleep, my dear fashionistas, is the most important part of healthy aging. And guess what? Your nighttime snacks play a starring role in this beauty sleep show!
Dr. Comite advises enjoying a satiating dinner, high in protein, of course, that won’t leave you tossing and turning from hunger. Now, here’s the tricky part: you shouldn’t eat within two to three hours of sleep. But hold on, lovelies, going to bed hungry is a big no-no too! It can cause your blood sugar to dip during the night, disrupting your precious beauty sleep. And you know what that means, right? Dark circles and puffy eyes, not exactly fashion-forward!
So, if hunger strikes before bed, Dr. Comite recommends a delightful snack of nuts, preferably walnuts. They’re her favorite due to their healthy omega-3s. Pair them with a small piece of fruit, and voila! You won’t be tempting the blood sugar gods during your beauty sleep.
4. Embrace Healthy Fats like a Fashion Icon
Now, my stylish companions, I know that fats sometimes get a bad rap because they’re higher in calories. But let me tell you a little secret revealed by the fabulous Dr. Comite: healthy fats like olive oil and avocado are essential elements in a diet that supports longevity.
Yes, darlings, you heard it right—these fats not only make your taste buds dance but also play a vital role in the absorption of certain nutrients. According to Dr. Comite, vitamins like E, A, and D are fat-soluble, which means you can’t even absorb them properly without a little bit of healthy fat. And believe me, missing out on these nutrients would be a fashion faux pas of epic proportions, speeding up the aging process. So, my fashion-forward foodies, always remember to include some healthy fat with every meal!
5. Say No to Fad Diets, Be a Fashion Rebel
Oh, fad diets, my dear friends, they may promise a quick fix, but they can actually fast-track the aging process. As the fabulous Dr. Comite says, “You don’t know if something will fit you just because it worked for a celebrity.” Truer words have never been spoken!
Whether it’s raw food, South Beach, or an intense fast, you never know if a certain eating plan will jive with your unique genetic makeup. Plus, highly restrictive diets can stress you out and raise your cortisol levels, and that’s not the path to healthy aging, my darlings. So, before diving into the latest diet trend, stick to the fundamentals covered above—they’re your timeless fashion staples, after all!
The May You Avoid Aging Fashion Faux Pas
My fabulous readers, achieving a longevity-supporting diet doesn’t require hard-to-find superfoods or expensive juice cleanses. It’s all about embracing whole, nutritious foods that make your body dance with joy. So, take a moment to prioritize protein, fiber, and healthy fats while limiting late-night snacking, processed carbs, and those pesky fad diets. By doing so, my lovely fashionistas, you’ll not only add more years to your life but more life to your years. Now, isn’t that a fashion statement worth strutting down the runway for?
Tell me, my fashion-forward friends, which of these tips will you be incorporating into your daily routine? I can’t wait to hear about your fabulous journey to eternal youth!
This article was originally published in VoiceAngel
