The Best Diets for Women
The sheer number of diet options accessible to women attempting to gracefully transition into later stages of life is overwhelming — and not all of them are healthy.
Many women
over the age of 50 are on the lookout for diets that will help them maintain
good heart and brain health, control menopause symptoms, and improve their
overall health.
The diets in this article were chosen based on the following criteria:
It's simple
to follow. The diet does not require supplements, except for providing clear
recommendations and short shopping lists.
Adaptable.
You can tweak the recipe to fit your personal preferences and dietary needs. It's
not too restricted. You won't have to exclude entire food groupings from your
diet.
Evidence-based. Scientific studies have demonstrated the diet's health benefits. Here are five of the most effective diets for women over the age of 50.
1. The Mediterranean diet is the best all-around diet.
The Mediterranean diet is consistently rated as one of the healthiest eating habits by almost everyone, including women over 50.
This diet is
modeled on the eating habits of Greeks and Italians in the 1960s. It contains a
modest amount of saturated fat.
Although the
Mediterranean diet is predominantly plant-based, it includes include fish and
dairy products, as well as small amounts of eggs, poultry, and red meat.
Decades of research show that this diet lowers your risk of heart disease, diabetes, cancer, and mental decline as you get older.
In addition, one study linked the Mediterranean diet to a 30% lower incidence of obesity in peri- and postmenopausal women.
The Mediterranean diet outperforms several other popular diets due to its adaptability. Desserts and red wine in moderation are among the meals and nutritional groups that are not off-limits.
2. The DASH diet is the best for heart health.
According to
the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, heart disease is one of the
leading causes of death among women over 50. (CDC).
Furthermore, after menopause, rates of high blood pressure, a major risk factor for heart disease, rise dramatically (5).
The DASH diet, or Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension, is intended to prevent and treat high blood pressure, often known as hypertension.
It's known for being low in sodium and focusing on foods high in calcium, potassium, and magnesium, all of which are thought to help lower blood pressure.
The amount of sodium you can consume is determined by your requirements. Some people have a daily salt intake of no more than 2,300 mg, while others have as little as 1,500 mg. Both figures are within the salt restrictions set forth by the American Heart Association.
The DASH
diet's mainstays include vegetables, fruit, and low-fat dairy, which are
supplemented with whole grains, legumes, nuts, seeds, fish, and poultry in
small amounts. Processed or cured meats are forbidden, while red meat and
sweets are usually avoided but allowed on occasion.
Limiting salty, ultra-processed meals and replacing them with nutrient-dense, whole foods has additional health benefits, such as lower cholesterol and better blood sugar control.
3. The Flexitarian diet is the best plant-based diet.
The
Flexitarian diet is a semi-vegetarian eating plan that is mostly plant-based
but includes meat, eggs, dairy, and fish on occasion.
Women who are lowering their meat intake for health, animal welfare, or environmental reasons are the most likely to adopt this eating habit.
The Flexitarian diet is an excellent choice for anyone looking to increase their fiber and plant protein intake while also acknowledging the nutritional worth of animal products and wanting to eat them when needed.
According to the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women's Health, committed vegetarians and vegans are more likely to be deficient in nutrients such as iron and omega-3 fats, both of which are vital for women's health.
Foods like
red meat and fish supply more iron and omega-3s in the Flexitarian diet than in
other strict diets. It also contains more calcium, which is an important
vitamin for postmenopausal women's bone health.
According to preliminary research, this eating pattern has extra benefits for weight loss, heart health, and diabetes prevention.
4. The MIND Diet is the best for brain health.
Dementia is
caused by several factors, including age and gender, with women being more
likely than males to get the disease. Nearly two-thirds of patients with
Alzheimer's disease, the most common form of dementia, are women.
Alzheimer's
disease and other forms of mental deterioration are associated with old age.
The acronym for "Mediterranean-DASH Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay" is "Mediterranean-DASH Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay." As the name says, it contains elements of the Mediterranean and DASH diets that have been shown to benefit brain health.
The importance of whole grains, berries, leafy greens, legumes, olive oil, and fatty seafood is emphasized. Fried foods, red meat, butter, cheese, and sweets are all things to stay away from.
Multiple studies have demonstrated that the MIND diet reduces the risk of Alzheimer's disease.
5. Intuitive eating is best for women who are tired of dieting:
If you've
tried a bunch of fad diets and are ready to break free from the dieting cycle,
intuitive eating might be the way to go.
Chronic
restrictive diets can result in bone loss, rebound weight gain, obsessive
eating, and a worse quality of life.
Intuitive
eating is an anti-diet method that seeks to help you establish a healthy relationship
with your body and food by changing your diet perspective. It was created by
dietitians who believe that dieting for a long period is bad for one's
physical and mental health.
The ten core principles of intuitive eating are founded on notions such as making peace with food, honoring your health, and coping with emotions without the use of food.
There are no
forbidden foods, and there are no restrictions on portion sizes or meal times.
Instead, the goal is to educate you on how to recognize and respond to your body's
natural hunger and fullness cues so you won't have to rely on a diet to stay
healthy.
In a recent
study, intuitive eating was connected to improved psychological health and a
lower risk of disordered eating.
According to additional studies, those who stick to this strategy are more likely to maintain a healthy weight, while weight loss is not the goal.
How to select the greatest women's diet for people over 50 years old:
The ideal diet for a woman over 50 is one that she can stick to over time — and it might not be the same as the healthiest diet for her friend, sister, or neighbor.
Meals that
you enjoy, that make you feel well, and that give your body all of the
nutrients it requires should all be part of your diet.
Consider your demands when choosing amongst the diets on this list.
Choose the
DASH diet if your primary goal is to lower your blood pressure If you want to
focus on self-care and a healthy relationship with food, try intuitive eating.
If you simply wish to eat a healthier, more balanced diet, the Mediterranean or
Flexitarian diets may be ideal.
The diets
discussed above have a lot in common, as you can see. Each one emphasizes
nutrient-dense, minimally processed foods that are high in vitamins, minerals,
fiber, healthy fats, lean protein, and antioxidants – all of which are
essential components of any diet.
Women over
50 should consume some nutrients with prudence, such as calcium, vitamin D,
protein, and B vitamins. If you don't think you're getting enough of these nutrients,
simple dietary changes or supplements may be required.
Keep in mind that you don't need to make any substantial dietary changes. Even if you're not adhering to your desired eating pattern, little, incremental changes can have a big impact on your health.
Before
making any major dietary changes or adding supplements to your routine, check
with your doctor to make sure they're right for you.
Women over 50 should adopt the following three dietary modifications right now:
As your body changes as you get older, so does your diet. These recommendations from a Mayo Clinic wellness dietician will help you acquire the nutrition you require.
1. Calcium is important for bone health.
Osteoporosis is a topic that receives a lot of attention, and most older women are aware that their chance of having this bone disease rises as they become older. Osteoporosis puts one in every three women over 50 in danger of breaking a bone.
Women over the age of 50 require 1,200 mg of calcium every day. Read the Nutrition Facts label on food to keep track of your intake.
2. Protein for muscle mass maintenance:
Women in
their latter years have a proclivity towards sitting and exercising less. This
hastens sarcopenia, or the loss of muscle mass, which is a natural part of
aging. By the time they reach the age of 80, women may have lost up to half of
their skeletal muscle mass. By eating adequate protein, muscle atrophy can be
slowed.
"If you make smart choices, healthy plant-based diets that don't include meat, a significant source of protein, can nevertheless offer sufficient protein," adds Ewoldt. More soy, quinoa, eggs, dairy, almonds, seeds, and beans are among the foods he advocates.
Your protein requirements are determined by your weight. Experts recommend 1 to 1.5 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight (1 kilogram = 2.2 pounds) for women over 50. For example, if you weigh 140 pounds, you'll need at least 63 grams of protein every day.
3. Vitamin B-12 for mental health:
According to Ewoldt, women absorb fewer nutrients from their food as they become older. Vitamin B-12, which is necessary for both healthy red blood cells and cognitive function, is one nutrient they may not be getting enough of.
"Eggs, milk, lean meats, fish, and fortified foods like cereals and grains are the best sources of vitamin B-12," explains Ewoldt. "Vegans will need to eat more fortified foods, but even senior people who eat a variety of meals may have trouble absorbing enough vitamin B-12."
While 2.4
mcg of vitamin B-12 per day is the recommended daily dose for women over 50,
Ewoldt recommends speaking with your doctor to see if you additionally need a
supplement.