Protection
Put yourself at ease by protecting those you love
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{{label}}26 January 2018
There is truth to the old adage: you are what you eat. The food that you eat not only gives you the much needed energy to be more productive, but also the nutrients your body and mind require to function properly. Alarmingly, in the Philippines, most adults are behind in terms of practicing healthy food habits such as reducing salt and sugar intake, avoiding processed foods and using less saturated oils.
According to AIA's Healthy Living Index Survey in 2016, Filipino adults are guilty of several unhealthy eating habits and more frequent than the regional averages. These include eating meals while distracted and taking unhealthy snacks in between meals. Compared to other countries in the Asia-Pacific region, the Philippines scored 61 over 100, which is lower than the regional average of 63 points. The survey which was done in 2011, 2013, and 2016, also showed its HLI as not improving through the years.
What is clear in the survey however is more and more Filipinos are aware of the need to improve their health. They are also looking for various ways to motivate themselves to take the first step toward a healthier lifestyle. They know that the time to change is now, whatever stage in life you are in.
When one is pushing 50 or over, one is usually expected to be at the pinnacle of his or her career, with a growing family with grandchildren. More often than not, the kids are off raising their own families, leaving just you and your spouse at home. At this stage, health issues brought on by aging may already rear its ugly head. That is why it's important to start eating healthy to prevent the onset of health problems that come at this stage in life
According to the United States' National Institute on Aging, our bodies undergo changes as we grow older. One basic tip is to choose food that is nutrient dense rather than calorie dense. Examples of nutrient dense food are whole wheat bread, roasted chicken, or an apple, as opposed to their calorie dense choices of a croissant, fried chicken, or a slice of apple pie. This prevents our bodies from gaining too much weight, while at the same time getting the right nutrition we need.
In today's world where convenience is always a priority, processed food and easy to cook food is a staple in any home. If you have more time in your hands, it's best to prepare or cook your own meals from scratch. That way, you can control how much salt and saturated oils you use. If you have less of a choice however, empower yourself by understanding the food labels of the food you buy. And stay away from high sugar, high sodium, and high saturated fats.
With a weekly meal plan in hand, a grocery list can be much easier to make. One tip to make your home-cooked meals tastier without using too much salt is to use herbs and spices. And just because you have the means to eat out, it does not mean you should do it often. You can save a lot more if you're cooking at home. It's a lot healthier, too.
Eating healthy is not enough to be healthy. As experts keep reminding us, physical exercise is the other half of the equation. Our bodies need to move, exert effort, and expend energy to function properly. According to the Mayo Clinic, at least 30 minutes of physical activity a day is enough to maintain one's health.
Aside from preparing your body and mind for inevitable retirement, consider that you need to prepare your resources as well. For most people, retirement may mean no or lesser sources of income as your productivity decreases. Being retired also means having more time for oneself to enjoy your interests and hobbies.
For example, if you are one who enjoys eating, prepare for your retirement so that you can go out and experience different cultures through their cuisines. For those of you thinking about your retirement years, consider BPI AIA’s Build Estate Plus, a life insurance integrated with the AIA Vitality program. More than just an insurance plan, it protects your hard-earned money and also prepares your family to deal with the burden of estate taxes. And with the Philam Vitality program, the healthier choices you make, the more rewards you can get, which you can enjoy even as you move toward retirement.
Learn more about BPI AIA offers a health and wellness program.
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