news

100-year-olds share what they always eat—and what they never do: ‘I don't drink soda at all'

100-year-olds share what they always eat—and what they never do: ‘I don’t drink soda at all’
Solstock | E+ | Getty Images

The foods in your daily diet play a major role in how healthy you are and how long a life you live. In fact, one of the key practices of people living in blue zones is eating a diet of mostly plant-based foods of fruits, vegetables and nuts.

In past interviews with CNBC Make It and other publications, many centenarians credited their diet for living a long, healthy life.

Here's what four people, ages 99 and older say they always eat and also what they never do.

Elizabeth Francis, 115

Elizabeth Francis, the oldest living person in the U.S. who is 115 years old, told ABC 13, that she eats "everything."

But Francis "always grew her vegetables in the backyard. I never saw her go to a fast food restaurant as much like Chick-fil-A and all the places I liked to go. She never did that," her granddaughter, Ethel Harrison, told TODAY.com.

Francis has also never smoked and doesn't drink alcohol, Harrison noted.

Deborah Szekely, 102

At 102 years old, Deborah Szekely still helps to run her fitness resort and spa three times a week. Szekely has followed a mainly plant-based diet since her childhood.

"I'm a pescatarian. And I actually have been fortunate of never eating meat because of my parents," she told Make It.

Her typical breakfast, lunch and dinner looks like:

  • Breakfast: Yogurt, a banana and whole grains.
  • Lunch: Salad at home, she said, or lunch at restaurants.
  • Dinner: A meal of fish, salad and a baked potato or she tries something new.

Her diet is very similar to the Mediterranean diet, and it includes fish, whole grains and fruits and vegetables.

Shirley Hodes, 106

Shirley Hodes, who was 106 years old when she spoke to Make It in March of last year, said she aims to limit the animal fat that she consumes and only drinks skim milk.

"I did like to eat a simple, balanced diet without too much sweets," Hodes said. She was adhering to the guidelines she was taught in the Red Cross nutrition course she took during the Second World War.

Daisy McFadden, 99

When Forbes spoke to Daisy McFadden in 2010, she was 99 years old. She shared what she usually ate for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Her meals usually included:

  • Breakfast: Oatmeal, cranberry juice and a banana.
  • Lunch: Salad with beets, cucumbers, tomatoes and chicken or fish
  • Dinner: Lean meat and steamed vegetables
  • Dessert: Fresh fruit

"I don't drink soda at all, and never have," McFadden told Forbes. She drank water, juice, milk or iced tea instead.

Want to be more successful and confident with your money? Take CNBC Make It's new online course. Our expert instructors will help you master your money and discover practical strategies to boost your savings, reduce debt and grow your wealth — in a way that works best for you. Enroll in "Achieve Financial Wellness: Be Happier, Wealthier & More Financially Secure" to start your journey to financial freedom today! Get a 30% discount with the coupon code EARLYBIRD until September 2, 2024.

Plus, sign up for CNBC Make It's newsletter to get tips and tricks for success at work, with money and in life.

Copyright CNBC
Contact Us