Did you know food has a huge impact on brain health?

Food is a critical component of not only our health, but our overall happiness and well being. That’s why at Sunshine Retirement Living and our 55+ retirement communities, we place a large emphasis on the importance of healthy eating. The food we eat every day plays a huge role in our brain function, and that doesn’t change as we get older. In fact, it’s even more important!

One of the best amenities your loved one will experience at any of our Pennsylvania senior retirement living communities are the chef-prepared meals each and every day! Enjoying a healthy and balanced meal doesn’t have to be boring, and our expert chefs always keep the MIND diet, as well as fun and flavor at the forefront when creating our weekly menus.

The MIND Diet

The MIND Diet is a set of dietary guidelines developed by researchers at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago that has been proven to help reduce the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease by as much as 53 percent! Through this research and experimentation, they also found that participants who closely followed the MIND Diet resulted in cognitive improvement to that of a person 7.5 years younger. Based on these findings and incredible results, the MIND Diet stays at the forefront of the meals at Sunshine Retirement Living Memory Care communities in PA and throughout all our memory care communities.

The best part about the MIND Diet is it’s very simple to follow. It’s truly just a guideline of foods to be sure to incorporate and foods to avoid when crafting up a delicious meal. And with the ingredients recommended, you can create delicious recipes from nearly every type of cuisine there is–including many of your comfort-food favorites! Take a look so see what ingredients our Chefs get creative with in our kitchens:

Foods to Incorporate

The following foods are high in nutrients that are essential for not only the brain, but your overall health as well. You’ll see these research-backed foods incorporated into our recipes weekly:

• Green leafy vegetables – spinach and salad mixes
• Nuts
• Berries – strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, etc.
• Beans
• Whole grains
• Fish
• Poultry – chicken & turkey
• Olive oil – used as our main cooking oil

Foods to Avoid

Sometimes we can’t always avoid these foods deemed less beneficial to your cognitive health, which is why the MIND Diet gives you a breakdown on the maximum amount suggested to eat of each of these foods per week. By avoiding these foods, you are giving yourself the best chance of reducing the risk of developing memory difficulties:

• Red meat – less than four servings per week
• Butter – less than a tablespoon per day
• Cheese – less than one serving per week
• Pastries & sweets – less than five servings per week
• Fried & fast food – less than one serving per week

Just by following these recommendations based on the MIND Diet on a moderate level, you’re already making great strides towards you and your loved one’s overall health! Want to try it out for yourself? Schedule a tour with us at any of our Pennsylvania 55+ retirement communities and dine with us. Be sure to come hungry, our doors are always open!

Contact our friendly team today to see for yourself or learn more about Retirement Living communities in Pennsylvania.

The post Did you know food has a huge impact on brain health? appeared first on Top Independent, Assisted & Memory Care.