After the holiday season spent splurging on delicious, decadent treats, it’s time to get serious about implementing a healthy eating plan for the new year, especially if you want to keep your bones strong and healthy in 2023. Support your bones going into the new year with these healthy eating tips:
1. Get in that protein.
A high-protein diet is instrumental in aiding your bones in growing strong and maintaining their structure. Some protein-packed foods include cheese, shrimp, and almonds. Veggies can also pack some surprising proteins, so don’t skip the broccoli, cauliflower, and carrots if you’re looking for an added dose of protein. Even potatoes (a pantry staple in most households) contain protein—just be sure to eat the skins to receive the full benefits!
- Make sure you ‘re consuming enough calcium.
It’s widely known that calcium is one of the key building blocks of bone health, so make sure you’re selecting calcium-rich foods this year to keep those bones in tip-top shape. Some foods with excellent sources of calcium are dark, leafy greens like spinach, collards, or kale; low-fat cheeses; almonds; and salmon. - Don’t forget the Vitamin D.
Your body needs vitamin D to absorb calcium, so it’s important not to skimp on foods that contain this critical vitamin if you want strong, healthy bones all year long. You can easily work eating more vitamin D into your breakfast routine because this key nutrient is found in eggs. Other tasty options include tuna, chicken breast, pork chops, and mushrooms.4. Avoid foods that don’t serve your body well.
If your new year’s resolution is to keep your bones strong this year, be sure to steer clear of soft drinks. Caffeine and phosphoric acid can wreak havoc on your bone health because they affect your bone density. Additionally, cut back on your salt intake as sodium can affect how your body expels calcium.
Strong Bones = Happy (And Healthy) New Year
Eating well to strengthen your bones is a full-time job that should remain top-of-mind when you’re setting goals for a new year. If you want expert advice on how to maintain your bone health, the specialists at Southlake Orthopaedics are here to answer any questions you may have. Southlake Orthopaedics even offers an Osteoporosis Clinic that focuses on bone health care and education for primary and secondary prevention of bone loss. The clinic staff is beyond excellent with years of experience in the field of orthopaedics, so you can trust that you will receive the absolute best care available. Dr. Christopher Heck, M.D., an orthopaedic spine surgeon with over 15 years of professional experience, along with Osteoporosis Specialist and Physician Assistant Lauren Bannon, PA-C, are an outstanding team who are dedicated to helping their patients manage their bone health and live their best lives. Contact Southlake Orthopaedics today for more information!
