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The Great British Bake Off: let them eat cake. Well, probably not one of mine The GuardianNo matter how old you are, ensuring that you get enough protein on a daily basis is critical to living a healthy lifestyle. Protein helps you feel full and satiated, build muscle, manage your blood pressure, recover your energy, and maintain a healthy metabolism. However, the need for daily protein becomes even more vital as you age because of the inevitable changes your body experiences as you get older.
"After 25, adults lose about 2–3% of their lean muscle mass as well as experience a 2–3% decline in resting metabolic rate," says Amy Goodson, MS, RD, CSSD, LD, author of The Sports Nutrition Playbook and member of our expert medical board. "The reality is these two things are likely related, as having larger quantities of lean muscle mass promotes a more active metabolism. So, consuming adequate protein is essential as you age so that you are able to maintain lean muscle mass."
It's easy enough to say, "You need more protein." But how can you set yourself up to incorporate more of it into your eating patterns on a daily basis? To find out, we consulted several dietitians to find out their choices for the best protein-heavy foods to eat after 50. Read on, and for more healthy eating tips, check out 6 Best Supplements to Keep Your Brain Young.
Many dairy foods get a bad rap. However, if you don't have a dairy allergy or aren't lactose intolerant, these foods can provide you with helpful protein and vitamins as you get older.
"Dairy foods like milk, cheese, and yogurt not only promote strong, healthy bones because of their calcium content, they also provide high-quality protein to help you build and maintain lean muscle mass," says Goodson. "In fact, milk contains branched-chain amino acids leucine that research shows can turn on muscle resynthesis after a workout."
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Quinoa is an affordable, extremely healthy whole grain that is both easy to prepare and versatile. In addition to being able to incorporate it into many different types of meals, it's also high in protein—making it a great choice for meeting your daily protein goals.
"This whole grain is a plant-based source of complete protein, which means it provides all essential amino acids," says Trista Best, MPH, RD, LD, and consultant with Balance One Supplements. "Also, the fiber content helps to contribute to its aging benefits by lowering the risk of heart disease by removing cholesterol from the body, and it works to improve the immune system by feeding the good gut bacteria."
Another food that has a bit of a negative reputation—especially once people hit their 50s—is beef. But Goodson says that finding lean, high-quality cuts is key in choosing healthy beef products.
"Packed full of 10 essential nutrients, like iron, vitamin B-12, the antioxidant selenium, and high-quality protein, beef is a fantastic way to add protein to your eating regimen," Goodson explains. "Pair it with veggies and whole grains at meals. Or if you need an on-the-go protein, try beef jerky. Shelf stable, [beef jerky] is a simple snack that you can throw in your purse, computer bag, or gym drawer."
Eggs are sometimes discussed in a negative light because of their potential effects on your cholesterol. However, some research has suggested that eggs could be healthier than we may have once thought.
"Eggs are the most bioavailable protein to the body," Goodson says. "With 6–7 grams of protein per egg, they also provided the added benefit of iron, vitamins B-12 and D, and the nutrient choline, which research suggests helps with brain and cognitive health."
Best adds that eggs can also be a great source of protein for those wanting to lose weight or manage their weight goals. "Eggs can help with weight loss efforts by providing a lean source of protein and healthy fats, which will both help the consumer feel full for longer and can lead to a reduction in overeating by increasing satiety."
When it comes to finding healthy proteins, Best says that "complete proteins" are some of the healthiest to choose from.
"There are 20 amino acids, nine of which are essential—meaning they must be obtained through the diet. Animal protein sources naturally contain all 20 amino acids and are therefore naturally complete proteins, but many plant-based proteins are not," Best explains. "However, combining rice and beans provides the right combination of amino acids to achieve this."
Beans and legumes are not only chock-full of protein, but they provide helpful levels of fiber, too.
"The fiber content of beans will also keep you full and satisfied long after a meal and is beneficial for feeding the gut's good bacteria, binding and flushing out toxins and waste from your body, and even helps to reduce cholesterol and body weight," Best says.
Crohn’s disease is a complex gastrointestinal condition that can cause issues such as nutrient malabsorption and inflammation throughout the digestive tract. As it is a disease of the digestive system, a Crohn’s disease diet can be an important way to help alleviate symptoms and support remission in patients.
You should speak to your doctor or a gastroenterologist before making dietary changes, particularly with a complex disease such as inflammatory bowel disease (the group of conditions Crohn’s belongs to). Additionally, patients with a stoma should take particular care to speak to their doctor or a dietician about what they can and can’t eat, especially when in a flare-up.
We’ve spoken to a medical doctor and a registered dietician to discuss what to eat in a flare up, in remission, and what to eat to avoid going into an IBD flare. They’ve given their advice for the management of this condition and how best to take care of yourself if you have problems with nutrient malabsorption due to your disease.
Roxana Ehsani (opens in new tab), a registered dietitian nutritionist and a national media spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, says that it is best to eat a light, low-fat, bland diet during the first few days.
“It’s important to stay as well hydrated as possible, especially if experiencing lots of diarrhea or vomiting,” she adds. “Drinks and eating foods rich in electrolytes are important. You could sip on broths, like bone broth, to get fluids, sodium and protein. You might sip on sports drinks to get ample calories, easy-to-absorb and to tolerate carbohydrates, and electrolytes. If you can tolerate them, foods like yogurt — not for those with lactose intolerance — and crackers are easy for your gut to tolerate.
“Some people may enjoy peppermint or ginger tea to calm down any nausea or upset stomach. Eat meals low in fat and low in fiber, as both will be easier for an upset stomach to tolerate, digest and absorb.”
Roxana Ehsani is a board-certified specialist in sports dietetics and a National Media Spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Human Nutrition, Foods and Exercise from Virginia Tech and a Master of Science in Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics from the University of Pittsburgh and completed her dietetic internship at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center.
Dr Deborah Lee, MD, from Dr Fox Online Pharmacy (opens in new tab), says that during a flare-up, it’s best to eat a low-fiber diet and avoid too much fat:
Having worked for many years in the NHS, initially as a GP, and then as Lead Clinician for an integrated Community Sexual Health Service, Dr Deborah Lee now works as a health and medical writer, with an emphasis on women’s health. She is a menopause specialist.
Ehsani says that it is best to avoid any foods that will likely aggregate the stomach.
“Caffeinated drinks, such as coffee, soda, teas, or even sparkling waters may be too hard to stomach,” she says. “Avoid citrus fruits like lemon, lime, grapefruit, oranges and tomatoes, as acidic foods might be too harsh for your stomach to tolerate. Avoid most dairy products; some people can tolerate yogurt, but all other forms of dairy should be avoided as it's harder for most people to tolerate.
“Sugar alcohols are found in sugar-free foods, diabetic-friendly foods, and in many gums and candies, and it’s best to avoid them as they can cause diarrhea. Alcohol should be avoided until symptoms resolve as well.”
Lee lists foods she encourages Crohn’s disease patients to avoid while in a flare-up:
There isn’t any particular diet designed for Crohn’s disease, but following medically approved dietary guidelines can help you stay in remission long-term and reduce the symptoms you may experience. Around 30% of individuals with IBD also have concurrent IBS. For these individuals, a low FODMAP diet may help to control these IBS symptoms, depending on how disruptive they are.
Ehsani says that a Crohn’s disease diet when in remission is less restrictive. “You can eat a well-balanced, nutrient-rich diet containing good sources of lean proteins, whole grains, fruits, veggies, beans, nuts and seeds,” she says. “You might feel best eating smaller meals and more frequent meals throughout the day as it's easier to tolerate and digest. I always recommend keeping a food symptom journal and writing down your foods, along with your daily symptoms next to it, to see if there’s any foods that may trigger flare ups.”
Lee also encourages patients to take time over their meals and try to split them into smaller meals:
Ehsani encourages those experiencing extended periods of diarrhea to supplement, as nutrient malabsorption can cause deficiencies. “People with Crohn’s who are experiencing chronic diarrhea may be malnourished and could benefit from a multivitamin,” she says. “People with Crohn’s are also more likely to have anemia, so regularly checking your iron levels is important and supplementing when low is necessary.”
Lee also mentions that it is important to supplement calcium if you are on steroids due to the impact they have on bone health. “Steroids affect bone metabolism and increase the risk of bone loss leading to osteopenia and osteoporosis,” she says. “Vitamin D is needed to absorb calcium in the gut, so these are best taken together. High-calcium foods include low-fat dairy products, leafy greens, salmon, sardines, tofu and any products marked as fortified with calcium.”
This article is for informational purposes only and is not meant to offer medical advice.
It's a good time to get freshly harvested corn in the north.
Mitch Deschatelets, owner of Leisure Farms in Sturgeon Falls, told CTV News the corn from his fields is in perfect condition.
While Leisure Farms is known for its pumpkin patches and strawberry picking, the farm also has more than 30 acres of cornfields.
"It's a change. We're anxious to get going with the strawberries but it gets to be same old, same old," Deschatelets said.
"As the season progresses, new things arrive and some things end. Even though it's about the same amount of work, we like it because it's a change."
He said harvesting corn in the north can be more of a challenge than it is down south, but with the right equipment, most years there are no issues.
"Using biodegradable plastic so it warms up the soil a bit faster, so we plant early and are able to have very, very sweet corn -- even in northern Ontario," said Deschatelets.
"By the end of July, beginning of August we're ready to start corn season."
Down the road 15 minutes north is Beaudry Farms, another local corn farmer along the highway.
"We're picking big time right now," said Rejean Beaudry.
"We already have three varieties that are done and are going to be jumping into the next one soon. So, it's at its peak."
Another difference between harvesting corn in the south and the north is the way it's done.
In southern Ontario, large farming machines are used to harvest. In the north, each cob is picked individually by hand.
"When you use a machine, it will pick everything, whereas when we hand-pick, we can select what's right, and then go back a second time to pick the stuff that's right later on," said Beaudry.
"You have to know what it feels like when the cobs are right and fully developed. You have to know what they feel like to pick the right type of corn."
Leisure Farms also hand picks each corn from the field. Deschatelets said his team of 20 farmers head out to the field around 7 a.m. each day to start picking.
"We're very fussy with our corn, so we like to have it at the peak sugar level. We touch every tip by hand to feel if it's starting to loosen up which is an indication of readiness," he said.
Both Beaudry and Deschatelets said it's a very busy time of year and they usually work 12-14 hour days.
Harry Styles is in the midst of playing 15 shows between August 21 and September 21 at Madison Square Garden, drawing fans from all over the country to New York City for his concerts. This week, one fan threw a chicken nugget onto the stage for Styles, but when fans urged him to eat it, he exclaimed to the crowd of 20,000 fans: "I don't eat meat!"
The performer – who always keeps his cool on stage – picked up the chicken nugget and before tossing it away asked the crowd "Who threw the chicken nugget?" following this rhetorical question with "I don't eat chicken. Sorry, I don't eat meat!" and once more in Italian. Animal-rights activist Simone Reyes snagged a video of the moment and shared it on Instagram.
Once Harry Styles leaves his small one-month residency at Madison Square Garden, his Love on Tour will move to Austin, Chicago, and Inglewood before starting its international leg. Then, the star will travel to Mexico, Europe, and Australia.
Styles frequently hints at his meatless diet, but the beloved pop icon has yet to reveal how plant-based he eats. Once before, the talented performer told fans that he follows a meat-free diet at his Tiny Desk Concert. Before that, he told Vogue that he ate a pescetarian diet in 2020.
But fans know that Styles cares about several social and environmental causes. Last November, the star revealed his new vegan beauty line called Pleasing. The cosmetic line features a full vegan and cruelty-free selection of nail polishes, serums, and more. Styles hoped that his beauty brand will promote a beauty gender-neutral fashion in a highly divisive market.
Harry Styles' meatless diet joins a growing list of pop icons opting out of traditional diets. Billie Eilish's plant-based, human rights-focused activism has changed how performers use their time in the spotlight for good causes. The vegan pop icon promotes sustainable fashion lines, works closely with her mother Maggie Baird's Support + Feed organization, and is currently hosting a sustainable, plant-based event to coincide with her Happier Than Ever Tour. Eilish's vegan, sustainable activism was enough for her to earn PETA's Person of the Year Award last year.
This month, singer Phoebe Bridgers is partnering with Los Angeles-based eatery HomeState to debut a limited-time vegan taco to raise money for charity. The taco – named after Bridgers' dog Maxine – will be available through November 22 and $1.25 of all purchases will be donated to community-based nonprofit CASA/LA.
While Eilish, Bridgers, and Styles are among the younger generation of plant-based celebrities, plenty of actors, celebrities, musicians, and other pop culture icons have invested in a plant-based future. Many of them follow a plant-based diet including Natalie Portman, RZA, and Travis Barker.
Check out these 20 celebrities who have invested in plant-based food companies.
Here comes the soup train! Chugga chugga chugga chugga choo choo!
These aren’t regular slices of cucumber, they’re stars! Much more exciting than boring old circles, and they taste better. See?
No, no, that’s not spinach! It’s just some green food coloring because I know green is your favorite color!
If you’re a parent, you know the struggles that can come along with trying to convince a picky eater to try even one bite of the meal you so lovingly prepared. But sometimes the frustrating task of trying to get kids to eat is hindered less by pickiness and more by confusing or unrealistic expectations. Writer Lucy Huber recently tweeted about an experience she had with her two-year-old where he called all the shots when preparing dinner then somehow still refused to eat it…
Lucy’s tweet inspired dozens of other parents to share similar stories of when trying to get their kids to eat made them want to rip their hair out, so we’ve gathered the most hilarious ones down below. Be sure to upvote all the tweets that you find painfully relatable, whether you’re a parent, you’ve worked with kids, or you remember being the same way as a child, and then let us know in the comments if you have any personal stories to share proving that we can’t ever get kids to eat anything they don’t want to. And then if you’re interested in reading another article from Bored Panda featuring creative reasons kids have come up with for refusing food, check out this hilarious story next.
It’s an all-too-familiar cycle: You stock up on loads of tasty-looking veggies at the store—only to have them wilt, rot, or go soggy by th...
