Living to 100 is relatively rare, which makes many people curious about the secret. According to the Pew Research Center, only 0.03% of the US population lives to 100. However, Pew predicts that number will quadruple by 2054 thanks to increased life expectancy. In addition to genes, environmental factors and luck, lifestyle choices, especially diet, play a role.
Eight people who lived to be 100 shared their secrets with Business Insider.
Eat fresh, whole foods
Many people who live to be 100 years old prefer fresh, whole foods and limit their meat intake.
Deborah Szekely, 102, has been a lifelong vegetarian and grows many of her own vegetables on a farm in Baja California, Mexico.
Pearl Taylor, also 102, lives in Ohio (USA), said she is mainly a vegetarian, occasionally eating meat. She also makes her own juice from aloe vera, celery, parsley and ginger.
Louise Jean Signore (USA), 112 years old, follows a Mediterranean diet with lots of fruits, vegetables, beans and olive oil. She eats salad, fruits and vegetables every night, adding tomato sauce, garlic or olive oil to her main meals.
The Mediterranean diet is highly regarded by experts for its healthfulness, helping to improve heart health, prevent cognitive decline and control weight.
Cook at home
Many long-lived people have kept the habit of preparing their own meals at home.
Pearl Taylor hasn't eaten any packaged food in years.
William, 101 years old in Toronto (Canada), cooks his own meals with lots of sardines - his secret to living to 100 years old.
Mr. Jack Van Nordheim (USA), 101 years old, frankly said that he never liked fast food but instead enjoyed simple home-cooked meals like boiled chicken.
Cooking at home not only helps limit ultra-processed foods - which are linked to diseases such as depression, type 2 diabetes and heart disease - but also encourages a healthy eating lifestyle.
Eat in moderation
Long-lived Japanese people often follow the principle of “hara hachi bu”, which means eating only until 80% full.
Shigeyo Nakachi - who died in 2021 at the age of 116 - never ate too much.
Martin McEvilly, 108, from Ireland, only drinks Guinness on Sunday evenings and has a rule of “everything in moderation”.
Reward yourself
Despite their disciplined eating habits, many long-lived people still allow themselves to indulge in their favorite foods.
Kane Tanaka, a Japanese man who lived to be 119 years old, still drinks a bottle of Coca-Cola every day.
Deborah Szekely occasionally enjoys coffee ice cream, while Jack Van Nordheim credits dark chocolate and honey for his longevity.
Experts recommend the 80/20 diet, where 80% is healthy and 20% is indulgence. This balanced diet may be the key to a long and satisfying life.
