Over 35? Cut back on these 3 things

When you are young, you're metabolism is revving at an optimal pace. As you age, however, that efficient engine starts to slow to a grumble. Not only that, your dietary habits add up over time and lead to numerous pre-conditions and diseases.

If you are over the age of 35, you should consider cutting back on some key items in order to stave off weight gain and maintain health. Although many people recommend focusing on the opposite--boosting your metabolism--those efforts are essentially wasted if you continue to fill your body with particularly detrimental items. There are three to be aware of, reduce, or remove from your diet altogether if you can.

Most Americans consume over 60 pounds of added sugar each year. That's a lot of extra calories that end up being stored as fat on your body. Sugar consumption has a clear connection to obesity, but it is also directly related to your blood sugar.

The more you flood your system with large amounts of sugar, the greater your chances of developing type 2 diabetes. The tricky part about sugar is that it's in practically everything. That means that if you cut the most obvious sources, such as soda and desserts, you will likely still be consuming too much sugar from sneaky high-sugar foods. Things like white bread, pasta, and white potatoes all contain a lot of starch, which is another form of sugar.

Saturated fat is particularly bad over the age of 35 because it contributes to high cholesterol, clogged arteries, and heart disease. One well-known source of saturated fat is highly marbled red meat. Those white striations are solid fat. Although that may make the meat more flavorful, it's also very detrimental to your health.

Red meat isn't the only common food contributing to your saturated fat consumption. Butter, whipped cream, and whole milk are all high in saturated fat as well. If you can't bring yourself to cut these foods entirely, try choosing healthier versions. Skim milk and lean beef are better options.

Fried foods usually contain saturated fat, but they are also known to trigger inflammation. Chronic and sustained inflammation within the body can be quite harmful as inflammation is linked to a number of diseases: heart disease, diabetes, obesity, and others. Over time, chronic inflammation can even lead to cancer.

Although over-the-counter anti-inflammatory drugs are an option for controlling inflammation, they shouldn't be used as an excuse to indulge in fried foods. A better decision for your overall health is to reduce or remove fried foods from your diet. Other preparation methods, such as broiling or steaming, could be used instead of frying foods.

Your body is less forgiving after the age of 35. Not only does your metabolism slow down, but your bad dietary habits compound, leading to the development of chronic diseases. To regain your health, cut these detrimental items from diet as much as you can.