106-Year-Old Who Lives Independently Shares What She Eats To Stay Young

Many of us hope to have a long and healthy life. We look to others who seem to have all the secrets and hope to learn their tricks so we can enjoy our time on earth and watch our families grow. At 106 years old, Dorothy Staten will tell you she feels young and spry, even though she’s nearly a supercentenarian, and she credits her long life to a strict and healthy diet.

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Dorothy has lived in the same apartment in El Paso, Texas for 40 years, and her 80-year-old daughter, Rosie Lyles, lives across the hall. This setup has allowed the women to grow older together with a helping hand nearby.

“She’s got her own place, and I’ve got mine. Everybody needs their own place,” Rosie told Today.

Dorothy told the news outlet she worked as a cook for “rich people” and has extensive experience with healthy meal options. She loved to eat and cook for herself until a few years ago, but vision issues made it difficult. Now, Rosie takes the lead in the kitchen, and Dorothy is happy.

Dorothy said, “I feel like I’m 16 years old. I’m doing fine, honey.”

First, she says we need to fill our diet with healthy fruits and vegetables. She loves watermelon and cantaloupe. But she stays away from sugar and sweets.

“Sugar is not good,” she explained to Today. “It can give you diabetes.”

Dorothy also eats lots of beans and avoids fatty food. Rosie said, ” My mom doesn’t like greasy food.”

She drinks tea and gets her exercise but won’t drink alcohol. Dorothy will indulge in a little ice cream from time to time. “I like it, but I never eat too much ice cream.”

Rosie said her mother is always honest and does her best to live a good life. That’s key. “She’s straight up with people. “[She believes] the way to live a long life is obey your mother and father, and love your sisters and brothers.”

You can find the source of this story’s featured image here.