As we age, our bodies go through all kinds of changes, but one thing that many people seem to get confused about, is whether or not you should be eating less as you age. Whilst there is some degree of truth to this topic, it mainly depends on the individual. Today we’re going to try to clear up any myths for you and help you understand the science behind why most of us naturally eat less as we age.
Countless things might impact how much food you should be eating at any one time. Your size, level of activity and general lifestyle are all key factors to consider, that goes for anyone at any age, but more so as you get older.
LOSS OF MUSCLE TONE
As we get older we lose muscle tone. It’s a sad fact of life, but an inevitable one none the less. Since muscle tone is linked to longevity of life, the older we get, the less we will have. After we turn around 35, your body will naturally begin lose 0.5-1% of it’s muscle mass each year. This is why it is not only important that we aim to increase that muscle but also prevent losing any more.
The best way to keep building muscle is by doing resistance training. When you’re fit, active, and regularly moving your body, you will be burning through more calories and so you may need to eat more than you usually would. Eating plenty of lean meats, beneficial carbs and a selection of cruciferous vegetables are also great ways to help build your muscle.
YOUR METABOLISM SLOWS DOWN
Another reason many people feel they need to eat less is due to the natural process of our metabolisms slowing down as we age. From around our 20s or 30s (depending on the individual), our metabolisms do begin to naturally slow down, this means that if you are eating the same amount at sixty that you were at twenty, without proper exercise and burning of those calories, then you’ll likely find that you probably pile on the pounds much more than you used to!
But a slower metabolism doesn’t mean that you can’t keep the weight at bay. The best way to keep your metabolism going is to stay active! (You might begin to notice a theme here…)
YOU WILL NATURALLY WANT TO EAT LESS
Whilst we have spoken about the changes that your body might go through as you age, we’ve not yet spoken about the obvious… You will want to naturally eat less! As your metabolism slows down and you start to lose muscle tone, you’ll probably find that you naturally want to eat less.
This is because your body will be asking for less calories, because it simply doesn’t need the same amount as it used to. Again though, what you are doing to stay active and the types of foods that you’re eating will determine how much you should be eating. But you should certainly never let yourself go hungry!
THE RIGHT KINDS OF FOOD
If you are looking for the best foods to help regulate your hunger, help build muscle and live a longer life, stick to things like: Lean protein, chicken, fish, leafy vegetables, healthy carbs like quinoa and sweet potato.
It’s when you eat processed foods, empty carbs and high sugar cakes and biscuits that you get piques of hunger and lethargy. You end up eating more high calorie foods because you never feel entirely satiated.
So overall, yes. You will likely find that as you age, you will naturally be eating less. But that doesn’t mean you can’t keep the weight off or develop the muscle tone you are looking for. Just be sure that you are stocking up on all the right kinds of foods, leading an active lifestyle and your body will tell you exactly what it needs and how much!
