Secrets of health from 1950s: 5 principles from the past that still work today

Professor Josephine Connolly-Schoonen shared five health lessons we can take from the 1950s and apply to our daily lives. Of course, the health of the population today is significantly better than it was 70 years ago.

People live longer and healthier lives thanks to prevention, early and more accurate diagnosis due to advanced technologies, new medicines, medical devices and procedures, and expanded treatment options.

5 habits you can borrow from the 1950s

Cook more at home

70 years ago, families grew vegetables and fruits in gardens near their homes, and children watched their parents cook before sitting down together at the dining table. Restaurants were only for special occasions. Now, everything is different, and eating lunch or dinner at a café has become a normal thing.

“When we eat out, we really don’t know the quality of the food ingredients being used by the restaurant,” says Connolly-Schoonen.

Restaurants typically use cheaper ingredients, cheaper oils, and cheaper food thickeners, so eating out usually lowers the nutritional quality of the food consumed.

Try to cook more at home (Photo: Getty Images)

Consume less ultra-processed food

Ultra-processed foods (UPF) include all fast food, pizza, soda, and baked goods.

“Food manufacturers came up with a large variety of synthetic ingredients that they can make very cheaply, and then developed a huge array of these ultra-processed foods over the 1980s and 1990s, so that has really changed the quality of the food supply,” said the expert.

It is known that despite the abundance, constant consumption of UPF increases the risk of heart disease, cancer, diabetes, and even early death.

Eat smaller portions

It’s no secret that portion sizes have gotten bigger. For example, hamburgers are now about three times larger than they were in the 50s. Sweet sodas are sold in 2-liter bottles, which wasn’t the case before.

Spend less time on gadgets

“Kids used to just go outside and play and just ride their bikes. They were more active,” says Connolly-Schoonen.

Electronic devices have greatly changed play habits and disrupted sleep patterns. The blue light from smartphones can make the body think it is daytime, disrupting the natural sleep cycle.

Lack of sleep can lead to high cortisol levels, which can contribute to weight gain and obesity.

According to the expert, children also typically have lunch while watching TV or using their gadgets.

Don’t spend most of your time on gadgets (Photo: Getty Images)

Move more at work

In the past, people moved more, even at work. Today, the transition from physical labor to social and analytical skills means fewer opportunities for physical activity.

“Now you find most meetings are virtual, so literally, people can be at their desk and not get up at all for the vast majority of the day,” says the specialist.

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This material is for informational purposes only and should not be used for medical diagnosis or self-treatment. Our goal is to provide readers with accurate information about symptoms, causes, and methods of detecting diseases. RBС-Ukraine is not responsible for any diagnoses that readers may make based on materials from the resource. We do not recommend self-treatment and advise consulting a doctor in case of any health concerns.