Martha Stewart isn’t just famous for her expertise; she also looks and acts much younger than her age. At 71, she graces the cover of her book *Living the Good Long Life: A Practical Guide to Caring for Yourself and Others*, looking decades younger. So, what’s her secret? One big factor is her healthy eating habits. Here are some of her best tips:
### Choose Better Foods
Martha believes in eating “real food.” By this, she means food that is natural and unprocessed. She stresses the importance of quality and purity in what you eat. This means avoiding overly processed and fast foods, and instead opting for fresh, unprocessed foods. According to Martha, “Fresh, unprocessed food is the best anti-aging tool around.”
### Build Meals Around Whole, Natural Foods
Martha suggests focusing on “home-cooked, unprocessed foods” that can nourish both your body and soul. This includes whole grains, leafy green vegetables, legumes, fish, fruits, and olive oil. Dairy products are also recommended for their probiotics, but red meat is something she generally avoids.
### Focus on the “Great Eight”
Here are the essential food groups Martha’s book recommends:
– Fruits and vegetables
– Whole grains
– Beans and legumes
– Nuts and seeds
– Seafood
– Lean animal protein
– Calcium-rich foods
– Good fats
### Follow a Plan
Setting goals is crucial when it comes to eating healthy. It’s easy to fall off track due to everyday temptations, like office snacks or social gatherings. Martha advises setting clear goals, such as an ideal weight, and regularly monitoring your progress.
### Stock Up on Nutritious Foods
Having healthy foods in your pantry increases your likelihood of making nutritious meals. Martha suggests keeping items like nut butter, olive oil, nuts, cereal, pasta, rice, canned tomatoes, and various spices on hand.
### Eat Mindfully
Take the time to savor your meals instead of rushing through them, especially not in front of the TV. Enjoying your food can make you feel more satisfied with less, which is particularly helpful if you’re trying to lose weight.
### Smaller, More Frequent Meals
Martha recommends eating smaller meals more often—ideally five to six times a day—along with snacks, spaced about three hours apart. Aim to feel 80% full instead of completely stuffed at each meal.
### Beyond Healthy Eating
While healthy eating is key, living a good long life involves more. Martha suggests speaking with a life coach to help you reach your full potential and live your best life.
By following these tips, you can improve your eating habits and overall well-being, just like Martha Stewart.