If You’re Over 65, Doctors Recommend Avoiding These 7 Surprising Foods for the Best Life

A healthy, nutritious diet is one of the key factors to a healthy and vibrant retirement – but after 65, you may need to make some changes. “It depends on what you do most days.” Amit ShahMD, assistant professor of internal medicine at the Mayo Clinic in Scottsdale, Arizona AARP. “I always tell people, ‘Go eat and have a good time.’ But the other six days of the week are focused on finding the good (foods). Here are 7 foods to be wary of after 65 because they could cause health problems, experts say.

RELATED: One type of exercise can improve health after 65.

1. Runny eggs

Delicious poached eggs with runny yolk Shutterstock

Overlight eggs are delicious, but can be dangerous for people over 65 due to the risk of salmonella. “Here’s a good rule of thumb for healthy adults: When frying eggs, fry them for at least two to three minutes,” explains a nutritionist Amanda Holtzer told HuffPost. “When you shake the pan, the egg whites shouldn’t wobble and you shouldn’t be left with a jelly-like egg white. The yolk should either not wobble at all, or, if you like it runny, it should wobble slightly.”

2. Canned fruit

Canned peaches in a bowl

Shutterstock

If possible, opt for fresh fruit instead of canned fruit. “You get some benefits, but less so once it’s processed and put in a can,” says the geriatrics doctor Colleen ChristmasMD, tells AARP. “The vitamin C content of canned fruit is really, really low. And there’s pretty good evidence that refined sugar promotes inflammation in our bodies.”

3. Raw shellfish

Raw oysters on a bed of ice

Shutterstock

Raw oysters and other shellfish are not worth the risk. “To reduce the risk of illness from bacteria in food, people at risk are advised not to eat raw fish and shellfish, raw or unpasteurized milk or cheese, soft cheese, raw or lightly cooked eggs or egg products, raw meat or poultry, or raw sprouts, or unpasteurized fruit or vegetable juices,” he says USDA.

4. Grapefruit juice

Grapefruit juice

iStock

Grapefruit is delicious and nutritious, but the juice can interfere with taking prescription medications, such as those for high cholesterol and depression. “You wouldn’t expect grapefruit to be on the list of foods to avoid after 60,” he says National Council on Aging (NCOA). “But grapefruit juice can interfere with taking medications for insomnia, anxiety and high blood pressure. Other fruits – and fruit juices such as orange juice, cranberry juice and tomato juice, enjoyed in moderation – are better choices for older adults.”

RELATED: The Funniest States If You’re Over 60.

5. Coffee and tea

A cup of black coffee in a white cup on a saucer with a spoon Shutterstock

The caffeine in coffee and tea can cause problems if you consume too much. “Not only does caffeine prevent many people from sleeping well, it can also increase anxiety and cause your heart to beat faster or more irregularly,” he says Sun Health Communities. “This could be dangerous if you have heart disease. In addition to coffee, caffeine is also found in many teas, some sodas, chocolate, and even some medications, including over-the-counter painkillers.”

6. Canned soup

A hand opens a can of chicken noodle soup Shutterstock

Soup can be an excellent, healthy choice for a meal, but not all soups are created equal. “People love soup, but one cup contains more than a day’s worth of sodium,” says Dr. Shah. “And sodium is a really important thing to watch out for if you have heart failure, previous heart attacks, or a stiff heart. ”

7. Artificial sweeteners

Glasses of artificially sweetened lemonade Shutterstock

Artificial sweeteners, particularly in sodas, have been linked to serious heart disease. “In recent years, researchers have linked diet soft drinks to everything from obesity to sugar cravings to depression,” it says Bethesda Health. “But a recent study in the Journal of General Internal Medicine suggests that routine consumption of these artificially sweetened soft drinks may cause even more serious harm: They could increase your risk of vascular events such as a heart attack or stroke.”