To Cheryl Forberg, the secret to prolonged youth is as close as your kitchen.

The dietitian on NBC’s "The Biggest Loser" fitness show and an expert on anti-aging nutrition says that while stopping the hands of time is unrealistic, you may possibly stay youthful longer with smart eating habits and regular exercise, especially if you’re a Baby Boomer.

“Envision the grocery store as a virtual medicine cabinet of vitamins and minerals,” says Forberg, who wrote Stop the Clock! Cooking.

Forberg just may have hit upon something. A survey by the Florida Department of Citrus, the government agency that oversees the Sunshine State’s $9 billion produce industry, shows 25 percent of Boomers would put off retiring for five years if that meant they’d never have wrinkles.

But Forberg says you don’t have to postpone retirement to stave off the effects of aging. All it takes is knowing the nutrients in the foods and beverages you consume.

Her recommendations to battle common aging concerns include:

•  Get glowing skin. Collagen breakdown in the skin may contribute to wrinkles. Vitamin C helps the body produce collagen. A serving of 100-percent grapefruit juice contains 72 milligrams of vitamin C, more than a full day's supply.  The fat-free juice contains less than 100 calories in an eight-ounce serving – a major concern of people trying to lose weight.

•  Boost your energy. More than 40 percent of Americans find having less energy the most unpleasant aspect of aging, so avoid processed foods and sugary soft drinks. Add foods rich in iron, such as lentils, lean red meats in moderate amounts, and spinach. Drink plenty of water and limit alcohol to one drink a day for women and two drinks for men.

•  Strengthen your disease defenses. According to the citrus department’s survey, 54 percent of adults worry about getting diseases as they get older, so look for foods rich in lycopene, vitamin C and potassium.

Lycopene may help in the fight certain cancers and heart disease, while vitamin C neutralizes substances called “free radicals” that seemingly damage your body’s cells and tissues, leading to all kinds of maladies. 

A higher intake of potassium is linked to lower blood pressure and reduced risk of stroke. Load the grocery cart with foods like bell peppers, tomatoes, fresh grapefruit, and kale.

•  Sharpen your mental pencil. Boomers commonly experience fading memory or slight changes in coordination, but spinach, onions and broccoli contain quercetin, a flavonoid found to promote brain function and prevent the risk for strokes.

Fish, such as salmon and tuna, rich in omega-3 fatty acids also may help contribute to improved blood flow in your brain.

•  Don't forget bone health. Women are especially susceptible to an increased risk for osteoporosis after they’re 40. To maintain bone strength, add calcium-rich foods and beverages to the grocery cart.

In addition to milk, sesame seeds, leafy green vegetables and tofu contain calcium. Dried plums and peanut butter contain boron, a mineral that may strengthen bones to prevent osteoporosis through enhanced calcium absorption qualities.

Check these out . . .

Find all the foods mentioned in this article in the 6,000-plus Nubella Recipe Database and Healthy Cooking Center. 


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