Let’s be honest with ourselves for a minute. We’ll all want to age gracefully. That’s because the alternative sucks!

One of the things that we have absolute control over is the food that we put into our bodies. And the food that we eat has a HUGE impact on our health and how we will age. A diet that consist of high quality protein (like that found in fish), colorful fresh fruits and vegetables, and an adequate amount of good fat (like that found in salmon, flax, nuts, seeds and olive oil), is essential to good health and a long life.

Inflammation is at the root of age-related diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, cancer, auto-immune disease and wrinkles, and sagging skin. The wrong foods, such a sugar, processed foods, pasta, breads, pastry and backed goods can increase levels of the pro-inflammatory peptides.

Your skin is a reflection of your internal health. When you eat foods that reduce inflammation, your skin will visibly improve plus you’ll automatically reduce your risk of age-related disease. In addition you’ll lose body fat and your body weight will normalize.

Sugar – Sugar is the number one enemy. It causes inflammation that destroys our bodies and attaches to collagen. Which results in stiff, inflexible, sagging skin. Controlling your blood sugar levels and insulin levels will improve your health and give you beautiful, youthful skin.

Coffee – Coffee (and its not the caffeine) can result in elevated levels of cortisol and insulin, leading to weight gain. Remember, elevated insulin puts a lock on body fat. If you substitute green tea for coffee, and do nothing else differently, you  could lose 10 or more pounds in just six weeks.

EFAs – Essential fatty acids are necessary for elevated mood beautiful skin, healthy immune system, and increases mental clarity. Plus you need to eat fat if you want your body to burn fat, so EFAs also help with weight loss

Water – You must drink 10 to 12 glasses of water every day to maintain health and beautiful skin. Your goal should be to drink at least 96oz of water. Water is essential to good health as all biochemical reactions in the body take place in the presence of water.

Here are some recommendations for food choices that will reduce inflammation improve your health and help you to age gracefully

Best Carbohydrate Choices

Artichokes, dark-green leafy vegetable, broccoli, cabbage, spinach, cherries, blueberries, strawberries, blackberries, apple, pears, barley, beans (kidney beans, pinto beans chick peas), cauliflower, brussel sprouts, bean sprouts, endive, eggplant, kale, red and green peppers, celery cucumbers, honeydew melons, lentils, mushrooms, tomatoes, turnips, pomegranates, snow peas, oatmeal

Best Protein Choices

Wild Alaskan salmon, halibut, trout anchovies, sardines, poultry yogurt high EFA eggs, kefir, cottage cheese

Best Fats

Extra virgin olive oil, flax oil flax seed nuts (almonds, hazelnuts, walnuts, macadamia) pumpkin seeds, sesame seeds, sunflower seeds

Best Beverages

Spring water, green tea, white tea, black tea, martini’s (just a test to see if you’re paying attention)

Grains

Buckwheat, whole oats, barley

Spices

Turmeric, ginger, cinnamon, oregano, basil, thyme, cayenne (basically any and all spices and herbs you can think of are great anti-aging foods)