The 7 Foods My 96-Year-Old Nana Always Eats for a Long Life
In the news, we’ve been hearing a lot about how the world’s oldest people have lived to be in their late nineties or early one-hundreds thanks to their diet and lifestyle. You even hear about the Queen of England or popular celebrities and how they mastered the inevitable aging process. I am lucky to say that my grandma, or as I call her, Nana, has reached that, “how does she do it” age—and I’m here to spill the beans.
Along with a light, positive attitude and visits from her favorite granddaughter, my Nana Pasqualina eats foods that not only give her health benefits, but foods she actually enjoys. Keep reading to see what a 4-foot, 7-inch, 96- year-old Italian woman eats throughout a normal day in her life.
Lupini beans
You’ve heard the saying, “beans, beans they’re good for your heart.” Well, have you heard of lupini beans?
A superfood, these beans are the yellow legume seeds of the Lupinus (Lupine) plant. They are in the same food family as chickpeas and lentils, and have been known as a popular snack across the Mediterranean, Middle-East and Australia.
Lupini beans are considered a “cardioprotective” food, meaning that they can help with the health of your heart as well as your stomach. They are also high in fiber, which helps lower cholesterol and prevent heart disease later in life.
The fiber, protein, and slowly digested carbohydrates that these beans contain have been shown to aid in fullness, therefore helping with weight loss as well.
Jell-O
Depending on the day, Nana Pasqualina will eat either regular or sugar-free Jell-O as a snack, allowing her to get some sweetness added to her day. The good thing about Jell-O cups is that they are controlled portions, so she will not have more than one.
However, Jell-O is made mostly of gelatin, which is actually high in protein. For example, 100 grams of dry gelatin powder contain more than 85 grams of protein, according to the U.S Department of Agriculture.
According to Medical News Today, gelatin also can be helpful for digestion, bone strength, managing blood sugar, skin care and hair health. No wonder why my Nana looks so flawless!