Best Diet to Help You Live Longer and Healthier

Donna Nichols • January 4, 2021

What’s the Best Diet if You Want to Live a Long, Healthy Life?

There’s a lot of controversy about what type of diet helps you live a longer, healthier life.

Most “specialists” say the Mediterranean Diet is the best, and while it’s full of vegetables, fruits, nuts, seeds, legumes, potatoes, whole grains, breads, herbs, spices, fish, seafood and extra virgin olive oil, what happens when you can’t eat most of those foods?

Quite a few people can’t eat nuts, seeds, or whole grains, then you have doctors tell you to stay away from carbohydrates, so there go the potatoes and bread from the diet.

So, that leaves you with vegetables, fruits, legumes, herbs, spices, fish, seafood, and olive oil.

Then you hear about shrimp being bad for your cholesterol, what does a person do or believe?

After all, if you want to live longer, you want to be healthier, right? Who wants to be sick while living longer? Plus, if you live healthier, you can live independently longer.

The funny thing about diets is that none of them mention chocolate, but yes, DARK chocolate can help you live a healthier, longer life!!!

Cocoa beans are found to be chock full of antioxidants which can lower your risk of heart disease! Just make sure you don’t overdo it, one square of dark chocolate a day is enough, sorry you cannot eat a bag of Hershey bars !! Darn it!!

Another item not mentioned in many diets is coffee .

According to Dr. Joe Vinson, a professor at the University of Scranton found that the flavonoids contained in coffee can prevent heart disease.

He says that “antioxidants are your army to protect you from the toxic free radicals, which come from breathing oxygen and eating sugar, that start chronic diseases”.

They ward off diseases such as cancer, heart disease, diabetes, and stroke, but it can raise your blood pressure, so you may want to drink decaf.

Garlic is one item that seems to be mentioned in every diet that helps you live longer and healthier!!!

This is the one staple that I can’t live without.

I love garlic and put it on/in everything I make. The way I eat garlic, I should live forever!!

Garlic contains immune-boosting ingredients that fight cancer!!

Red wine is one of the main foods in the Mediterranean Diet.

Can you say yes, please??

Every personal trainer and doctor I spoke to say the same thing, red wine (as opposed to white) is the best alcohol to drink for your health.

Red wine contains a natural plant substance that fights disease. As with everything else, not a bottle of wine a day, one or two glasses a day is the recommended dosage.

Moderation is the key.

Brightly colored fruits and vegetables are the best for you because the natural pigmentation that gives them their bright colors are what helps fight cancer.

Dark green and yellow are the best, along with sweet potatoes. So, eating your kale and spinach is not just a wives tale, it’s true to help you live longer and healthier.

When you choose what kind of fish to eat, opt for the oily varieties, salmon, mackerel, and trout.

These fish are chock full of vitamin A and D, two of the vitamins many of us lack in our diets. These two vitamins are perfect for our immune system and the omega-3 fatty acids have been linked to lowering your risk of heart disease. These fatty acids have also been shown to help combat Alzheimer’s disease.

So, let’s make it a point to eat your fish at least twice a week.

What type of diet helps you live longer and healthier?

Who knows, but if you eat smarter and watch what you eat, you don’t need to follow a specific diet.

Can you cheat once in a while? Yes! If not, why live longer??

If you need help or encouragement as a Caregiver give us a call at  386-847-2322  or check out our  Caregiver Support Group. Our  Senior Advisors  are here to walk with you through this journey.

What can a Senior Advisor do for you?

By Donna Nichols • July 17, 2025
A senior advisor is a personal guide or advocate for older adults and their families. Here’s what they can do for you: Help Navigate Options They can explain the differences between independent living, assisted living, memory care, nursing homes, and in-home care, and recommend the best option for a person's health, lifestyle, and budget. Find the Right Community or Services They often have knowledge of (and connections with) local senior living communities or services. They’ll: Match your needs to suitable options Setting up tours Even help ask the right questions Assist with Financial Planning Some advisors can help figure out how to pay for care: Understanding long-term care insurance Veterans’ benefits Medicaid/Medicare guidance Budget planning Guide Legal and Paperwork Stuff They can refer you to elder law attorneys, help with advance directives, or even help you understand contracts from senior living facilities. Support for Families They can act as a neutral third party when families struggle with decisions, easing tension and helping everyone feel informed and involved. Assist with Movers and Downsizers Some advisors have connections with movers, downsizers, and other people who can make your transition smooth.  If you believe a senior advisor can assist you, please call us today to schedule your complimentary consultation at 386-847-2322 . Our services are 100% FREE to you! What have you got to lose?

Beating the Florida Summer Heat

By Donna Nichols • July 7, 2025
Florida summers come in three flavors: hot, hotter, and what fresh hell is this? Whether you're a lifelong local or newly initiated into the Sunshine Sweat Fest, you know it’s more survival sport than season. So, how do we stay cool without losing our cool? Here’s your sun-savvy guide to getting through it. Make hydration a hobby Not just water, electrolytes are your best friends when you're sweaty. Coconut water, cucumber-mint spritzers, watermelon slices. If your drink doesn’t sparkle, chill, or drip condensation like a rom-com montage, it’s not summer-ready. Dress for success and summertime Loose, light, breathable fabrics. Cotton, linen, or the holy grail: moisture-wicking. Bonus points for sun hats and SPF clothing that make you look like a beach detective on vacation. Fans ARE your best friends Table fans, ceiling fans, handheld fans—the whole rotation. Keep them oscillating like your thoughts during a political debate. And if you’ve got a cooling towel? You’re royalty. Avoid the “Roasting Hours” From 11 AM to 4 PM, Florida turns into a convection oven. Errands, walks, and yard work? Schedule them early or late. Unless you’re trying to get baked like a Publix cookie—then by all means. Sunscreen is a lifestyle Apply, reapply, then pretend  you're an influencer and do it again. Because nothing says “I’m melting” like a shoulder burn shaped like your purse strap. Eat lightly Cold meals can be your best friend—salads, chilled pasta, and fruit-forward lunches are all options. Bonus points if you serve them on plates fresh from the fridge like the true champion you are. Rest, reset, repeat If the heat’s making you crankier than a mosquito at a citronella convention, take breaks: shade, air conditioning, quiet corners. Recharge without guilt—you’re surviving a sauna with its own zip code. Florida heat might be relentless, but so are we. With humor, hydration, and a healthy dose of stubborn grace, we ride the wave and keep the ice cubes coming. Stay cool out there, friends. You’ve got this.

Honoring Independence Day with Grace

By Donna Nichols • July 2, 2025
Not every 4th of July needs to burst with fireworks. For many older adults, especially those with tender hearing, health challenges, or a fondness for quieter joys, Independence Day can be just as meaningful in a slower rhythm. It’s the scent of something delicious simmering nearby, the comfort of a cool seat and a cherished show, and the simple dignity of being remembered; of having made it this far, with stories to tell and wisdom that still glows brighter than any sparkler. Caregiver Tips for a Thoughtful 4th: Keep things soft and soothing. Loud sounds can be jarring for seniors with sensory sensitivities, dementia, or PTSD. Choose instrumental patriotic music or old-time radio shows that bring joy without overwhelming them. Build a gentle plate. Soft, easy-to-eat favorites like tender pulled chicken, mashed potatoes, or a festive red, white, and blue parfait (layered Greek yogurt, mashed berries, and crushed graham crackers) keep things celebratory without strain. Spark memories, not stress. Bring out family photo albums, classic Americana films, or even music from their youth. Columbo, The Andy Griffith Show, or golden-age musicals can be a comforting trip down memory lane. Create rest-friendly spaces. A cozy chair near the window, a shaded seat outside, or even a reclined viewing spot for a live TV broadcast of fireworks can help them feel included without fatigue. Let them lead the conversation. Ask about what Independence Day meant to them growing up. You might discover tales of ration books, war bonds, or dancing at VFW halls. These stories are treasures wrapped in the quiet of the day.  In the end, Independence Day is about honoring resilience—the kind that’s quieter, often overlooked, but profoundly enduring. Whether you’re caring for someone, being cared for, or simply holding space for reflection, there’s beauty in choosing peace over spectacle. This Fourth of July, let’s celebrate not just the freedom of a nation but also the freedom to adapt, to rest, and to cherish those we love in the way that suits them best.