Gaining weight as we age is a given. Our muscle mass diminishes, we slow down and we need fewer calories to maintain our weight. Suddenly, our belts are tighter and our clothes no longer fit. While it is easy to explain away a few extra pounds, consider this: A weight gain of two pounds a year adds up to 20 pounds in 10 years. Those extra pounds increase the risk of developing type 2 diabetes and hypertension, which increase the risk of heart disease. So if you want to prevent unhealthy weight gain, you need to eat smarter. Cleveland Clinic dietitian Laura Jeffers, MEd, RD, LD, has five suggestions to prevent unhealthy weight gain.
To continue reading this article or issue you must be a paid subscriber.
Sign in