Are You up For a Challenge?

Did you know that September is Healthy Aging Month?? A special focus on healthy aging began 30 years ago by Carolyn Worthington, publisher of the Healthy Aging® magazine. The importance of this topic finally captured the attention of the Senate in 2021 when they unanimously passed the resolution marking September as National Healthy Aging Month.

I’d like to invite you to join me in a "Healthy Aging Month Challenge"!

When I educate others about the perils of the “standard American Diet” (SAD) they are often surprised to realize how much room there is for improvement in their choices and habits. While they may initially pride themselves on eating well, they soon discover that they are surrounded by processed foods, an abundance of sugar, and meals they assumed were “healthy”. This was certainly true for me.

Here is the good news: I did a complete overhaul of my food choices after I became educated (and terrified) about the proliferation of processed foods that adorn supermarket shelves. They taste good for a reason- we want to keep buying, and eating them.

My makeover challenge is really quite simple. Each week tackle one of the steps below. As a health coach I am a big believer in taking small steps, celebrating small victories and watching them build into sustainable, consistent actions. Ideally at the end of the four weeks you will be more aware of what you eat and how you feel. Hint-there is a huge connection between the two.

It doesn’t have to be overwhelming to make some upgrades to your daily food choices! Read below to see how you can join the challenge and reward yourself with better health.

Week 1- Take a tour of your pantry. Your goal is to identify processed foods that contain added ingredients with words that we do not recognize and or cannot pronounce. Chemicals are commonly used to preserve foods, as well as to enhance their taste, texture or color. According to the Environmental Working Group website (EWG), more than 10,000 additives are allowed for use in food sold in the U.S. They compiled the following chart to highlight just how pervasive this problem is. https://www.ewg.org/research/food-additive-science

Once you have identified foods that contain any of these additives, if you are willing, throw them away. Congratulations you have completed week one!

Week 2- When you go grocery shopping this week, add in extra time to really read the ingredients of any packaged foods you are tempted to buy. Hint- most boxed foods with a barcode have added ingredients. The fewer the better! I have been on a mission to find healthy “fun” foods that are actually filled with vibrant ingredients and to my delight it gets easier every year. Food manufacturers are recognizing consumers want higher quality foods. We vote with our dollar when we do our food shopping. Your challenge this week is to only buy foods that aren’t filled with extra chemicals, additives, sugar and unhealthy oils such as canola, sunflower.

Week 3- This week your challenge is to buy mostly whole, real foods from the store. Think fresh fruits, vegetables, meat, fish, poultry, potatoes, sweet potatoes, nuts and seeds. An easy way to do this is skip all of the center isles of the store and focus on the perimeter. You will save time and money and boost your health.

Week 4- If your schedule allows it, try to avoid eating at a restaurant this week. Restaurant meals are typically not good for you and are loaded with calories, fat, sugar and salt. Remember you can always pack a lunch!

Even if you choose to only tackle one of these challenges, you are taking a stand for your health and well-being. I hope that makes you feel good!