4 Eating Habits That Slow Your Metabolism After 50, Say Dietitians — Eat This Not That

Our bodies naturally slow down as we age, regardless of how old we are. No matter who tells you otherwise, in your 50’s, you are still young and young at heart. However, you will start to see some changes in your body that are unavoidable. A slow metabolism— the process your body goes through when converting food and drinks into energy — is one of those things you can’t escape.

Even if your body currently processes food and drinks quickly, what you eat and drink will eventually catch up to you. If you don’t maintain a healthy lifestyle, such as a good diet and exercise, your metabolism will no longer support you. Because of this, you might experience possible weight gain. If you’re starting to experience a slow metabolism, check out these eating habits that don’t help the process. So be sure to check out 15 Warning Signs Your Metabolism Is Slower Than It Should Be.

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If you are following a restrictive dietit means you could be cutting out too many calories.

“If you’re not eating enough, your body may slow down your metabolism to adjust,” says the registered dietitian at our board of medical experts. lauren managerMS, RDN, LDN, CLEC, CPTauthor of The new mom’s pregnancy cookbook, The 7 Ingredient Cookbook for a Healthy PregnancyY Feeding Male Fertility. “Eating too few calories every day can especially exacerbate a slow metabolism.”

One of the most common mistakes that can slow down your metabolism is thinking that you need to starve and eat fewer calories to lose weight,” says smooth youngPhD, RDNauthor of Finally full, finally slimand nutritionist in private practice.

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Dr. Young also always recommends that people eat at least 1,200 calories a day to avoid undereating.

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Iodine it is a mineral that is often added to products such as salt. It is also important for healthy thyroid function, which is the gland that regulates metabolism.

“Not getting enough iodine can cause your metabolism to slow down,” says Manaker. “One of the easiest ways to include iodine in your diet is to opt for iodized salt. Seaweed is also a great source of iodine.”

Other foods rich in iodine are yogurt and shellfish (especially cod).

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Generally speaking, skipping meals has many negative consequences.

“Many people think that skipping meals will help them lose weight. It’s actually quite the opposite,” says Dr. Young. “Skipping meals can slow down your metabolism, especially as you age, making it harder to lose weight.”

Finally, skip a meal it can also lead to overeating later on, feeling like you’re compensating for not eating earlier. Your body will also crave more junk food and processed foods, which will also lead to weight gain.

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By liquids, we mean healthy ones. Consuming too many unhealthy drinks like alcohol either Sugary drinks it can lead to excessive weight gain, which is not good for your metabolism.

“Staying hydrated can have a profound impact on your metabolism,” says Manaker. “Make sure you’re drinking enough Water can help keep your metabolism in check while also helping you feel better.”

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Kayla Garritano

Kayla Garritano is a staff writer for Eat This, Not That! She is a graduate of Hofstra University, where she majored in Journalism and double majored in Marketing and Creative Writing. read more

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