Eat Your Age: Feel Younger, Be Happier, Live Longer―The Definitive Health and Fitness Companion with a Personalized Touch, Embrace a Healthier Lifestyle Today!

by Ian K. Smith

From #1 New York Times bestselling author Dr. Ian K. Smith, learn how to defy the effects of aging by implementing simple changes at every decade.

Whether we like it or not, lots of things change as we age: our joints start to creak, our muscles weaken, and we lose coordination. Our bodies simply don’t look or perform the same each decade of life, and our risks for various diseases and medical conditions also increase as the years do. Getting old may be inevitable, but feeling old is not: we can age well and maximize each decade of life if we do the right things at the right time.

In Eat Your Age, acclaimed doctor and bestselling author Ian K. Smith shows readers the steps they need to take in their 30s, 40s, 50s, and beyond to increase longevity and stave off future illnesses and ailments. By eating the right foods, keeping tabs on the right numbers, moving the right way, and sleeping better, we can slow the hands on the proverbial clock. Since food is medicine, this book will teach you what to eat at every age to prevent life-threatening diseases. For example:

30s—vitamin B6 (milk, ricotta cheese, tuna, eggs, sweet potato, bananas), magnesium (dark leafy greens, black beans, lentils, pumpkin seeds), Brussel sprouts, cauliflower
40s—probiotic, plant-based milk, avocado, spinach, chickpeas
50s—bromelain (pineapple, papaya, kiwifruit, asparagus, yogurt, sauerkraut), turmeric, berries, tomatoes, squash, carrots
60s+—Omega-3 (fatty fish like salmon and mackerel as well as chia, flaxseed, edamame), vitamin B12 (clams, beef, fortified cereal, tuna, milk and dairy products, fortified nondairy products), probiotic, high fiber foods (pinto beans, acorn squash, collard greens, guava, strawberries, broccoli)

With specific lifestyle and diet advice including fitness tests for each decade of life, this book proves that it’s never too late to start battling the aging process. With Dr. Smith’s sage plan, readers have the opportunity to function their best and find greater joy in life at any age.

Genres: Health, Self Help, Nonfiction, Nutrition, Food, Cookbooks

384 pages, Hardcover

First published January 7, 2025

About the author

Ian K. Smith, M.D.,Ian K. Smith, M.D. is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of SUPER SHRED, SHRED, THE 4 DAY DIET, THE FAT SMASH DIET and EXTREME FAT SMASH DIET among 7 other books including, SHRED Diet Cookbook , EAT, Happy , and The Blackbird Papers. His newest book, THE SHRED POWER CLEANSE, is available 12/29/15.

He is a former co-host of Emmy-winning “The Doctors” TV show, and a medical contributor to “The Rachael Ray Show."

He is the former medical correspondent for NBC News network and for NewsChannel 4 where he filed reports for NBC’s “Nightly News” and the “Today” show as well as WNBC’s various news broadcasts. He has appeared extensively on various broadcasts including “The Oprah Show,” “Good Morning America” “CBS This Morning” “The View,” “The Talk,” “Dr. Oz,” ‘Dr. Phil,” “Anderson Cooper 360″ and “Showbiz Tonight.”

He has written for various publications including Time, Newsweek, Men’s Health, and the New York Daily News, and has been featured in several other publications including, Publisher’s Weekly, Red Book, USA Today, Wall Street Journal, People, Essence, Ebony, University of Chicago Medicine on the Midway, Cosmopolitan, Women’s World, and Black Enterprise.

Dr. Smith is the founder of two major national health initiatives—the 50 Million Pound Challenge and the Makeover Mile—that have helped millions of people lose weight and improve their health.

A graduate of Harvard, Columbia, and the University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine, Dr. Smith was appointed to the President’s Council on Fitness, Sports, and Nutrition in 2010 and is serving a second term.

http://shredlife.com/about-shred/abou...
http://us.macmillan.com/author/ianksmith

Reviews

[Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

Full of great information to manage your health. There is a breakdown with several age groups - 20’s, 30’s, 40’s, 50’s and 60’s. You can look at your age group and see what you should focus on. The book is filled with a lot of helpful tips and great insights into what BW may be needed depending on your age group. A lot of good information to maintain your health and keep you living a healthy lifestyle. I won this book in a GoodReads Giveaway.

[Kaitlyn Varner · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley for this advanced reader’s copy!

I felt like this book was extremely repetitive. I also feel like it was a lot of stuff I was already very aware of. This book maybe wasn’t for me but this book did have valuable information in it.

[Michelle Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Eat Your Age is an informative book that contains best practices for eating, exercise, and general health in the decades of your 30's, 40's, 50's, and 60's. When I selected this book, I thought I would be getting best nutritional practices for multiple ages; however, I did not expect to also get a hefty amount of exercise and health advise. The author walks the reader through each decade of life in regard to what one should eat, how one should exercise, and what tests you should be asking your doctor to assign you. Diet (with some recipes) was only a small part of this book. Much of the information is general, so if an overview with some specifics is what you are looking for, pick up this book. It may send you on a hunt for more in- depth information. This is a good starter book for someone who is curious and wants to do better with their health in the upcoming year.

Thanks to Netgalley and Harvest for this ARC.

[Bev O · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book is mis-titled. It’s more of an intro on how your body physically changes in your 30s, 40s, 50s and 60s. I really don’t know who the target audience of this book is but it isn’t someone who is already aware of the connection between diet, exercise, peace, and health.

[Morgan Porter · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a book I won from giveaway and I appreciate the opportunity to read. I will start with this book is very beginner. If you have never really looked into health, diet, movement, etc this book would be a great place to start. My biggest issue with the book is layout. It is kind of awkward, there will be like a table in the middle of a sentence but the table is 3 pages long. So you have to wait through the whole table to finish the sentence. The tables are nice for quick references but locations are real off. I feel like this book really misses the mark on diet though. Not nearly enough protein and fats in the diet plan and too many carbs. The movement/ workout plans are a great start. And have good descriptions. I can’t see the QR codes to see the workouts. Just makes sure that if lifting heavy you watch form to avoid injuries. If lighter weights or body weight. Doing movements in slightly awkward positions and movements are good to avoid injuries. It works more on the ligament flexibility and recovery. When you fall or get injured you don’t do it perfect form. Good to prepare for it. Overall I only read the 30s as there is where I am at in life and perused the other ages. But if you are feeling lost on where to start. This could be a good place.

[Lexie Miller · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really liked the first few chapters of this book and took many notes with learnings. But after the first few chapters I agree with others who said the writing felt repetitive and caught myself checking I didn’t hit the audio button to backtrack as I felt like I was hearing the same few topics and notes several times. Still interesting and worth a listen.

[Erin]

Unfortunately, Libby didn’t have the accompanying pdf to download and every chapter references something in that pdf. So I missed a lot of information. I don’t recommend the audiobook unless you have access to the pdf.

[Christina · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was very interesting and informative. I liked how they included examples of how various changes in ones habits could affect real changes that are going to be beneficial. They also didn't say that there is only one way to achieve your health goals. Instead offered suggestions as well as encouraging a person to add small steps so as not to get overwhelmed when making changes to your habits. It was great to read that I've already been eating very healthily for my age, and with just a few tweaks should be able to reach my health goals. The meal plans and recipes were also helpful.

[Monica Zebold-Bell · Rating 2 out of 5]

Meh. It reads like a long article in a magazine. Most people who would read this likely already know how to live a healthier lifestyle, so it's mostly good reminders and reinforcements for me. Now, I just need to employ them consistently.

[Jennifer M · Rating 2 out of 5]

I listened to the audiobook version of Eat Your Age, expecting a deep dive into the science of aging and nutrition. Unfortunately, the book didn’t quite deliver the level of detail I had hoped for.
While the premise is strong—helping readers optimize their health by eating the right foods for each decade of life—the execution felt repetitive and surface-level. Much of the information seemed basic and readily available online, rather than offering new insights or research that would create an "aha" moment. I found myself wanting more explanation and depth, especially on how these recommended foods work together to support longevity.

Additionally, listening to the audiobook made it difficult to access the references to additional information, which might have been more useful in ebook or print format. The structure of the book, listing food recommendations by age group, was helpful but didn’t feel substantive enough to stand out from other wellness and nutrition guides.

Final Verdict:
If you're new to nutrition and looking for a simple, easy-to-follow breakdown of recommended foods for each stage of life, this book might be useful. However, if you’re hoping for deeper analysis, new research, or detailed scientific explanations, it may fall short of expectations.
⭐ Rating: 2/5

[Nikki Caminata · Rating 5 out of 5]

I highly recommend a physical copy of this book. I listened to the audiobook but definitely would’ve preferred and benefited more from a physical copy. A kindle version would be beneficial too. This is a book everyone should read, it is basically an exercise physiologist as a book. It is NOT a diet book, it is an easily digestible book explaining the basics and EASY to follow lifestyle changes to live your healthiest, happiest life. Again, it’s very simple, very easy to understand, and follow and accurate information. As an exercise physiologist I would assess individuals lifestyle habits: nutrition, sleep, physical activity; and prescribe exercise and nutrition to address where the individual lacked as well as address chronic disease they may already have and/or be on the brink of having. (Unfortunately exercise physiologists are bot utilized like they should be!) anyways this book is a general guideline to living a healthy life and contains very important info, most may already know, but there’s still a lot who don’t. If you are already educated in this area it’s still a fun read to be like “yes!!” every few pages.

[Pintu Saw · Rating 5 out of 5]

Eat Your Age: Feel Younger, Be Happier, Live Longer by Ian K. Smith is a refreshing take on how the food we eat can affect not just our physical health but our overall sense of well-being and longevity. The book offers a practical guide to eating in a way that aligns with your age and lifestyle, emphasizing how certain foods can help keep you feeling younger and more energetic, no matter where you are in life.

What I love about this book is how approachable it is. It’s not about restrictive diets or extreme lifestyle changes, but about making thoughtful, mindful choices that can have a lasting impact. Dr. Smith outlines how food can act as medicine, boosting your mood, improving your energy levels, and even slowing down the aging process. The tips are easy to implement, and the recipes are simple but tasty—something that anyone can incorporate into their daily routine.

The book is full of helpful advice on the science behind aging and how different foods affect our bodies as we grow older. There’s a nice balance of facts, practical tips, and motivation, making it both informative and encouraging. I also appreciate how Dr. Smith emphasizes that aging doesn’t have to be something negative, but rather an opportunity to live with more awareness and intention.

If you're looking for a guide to better health and vitality that focuses on what you put on your plate, this book is a great starting point. It’s a reminder that we truly are what we eat—and with the right foods, we can feel younger, happier, and more alive.

Best Wishes From
Author - PINTU SAW
Book - NOBODY HELP YOU CHANGE YOUR THOUGHTS

[Terri · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an uncorrected proof of this book through a giveaway, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. While I was focused on absorbing the information and enjoying the content, I didn’t notice any typos or grammar issues. The book strikes a great balance between scientific explanation, providing motivation and context, and conversational language, which keeps the reading experience engaging and informative.

The content is thoughtfully organized into sections by decade, allowing readers to easily focus on the information most relevant to them.

One area for improvement would be better referencing of recipes when they are mentioned in the meal plan sections. Additionally, illustrations or pictures would make the exercise instructions clearer, especially for those who may not have access to a smartphone for scanning QR codes.

Overall, this is an excellent resource for anyone interested in improving their health. I would highly recommend it as a reference book.

[Alison · Rating 2 out of 5]

I had some high hopes for this book, which were unfortunately dashed by not only some of the simplicity, but also the lack of 'proof' of many of the statements, which were mostly general anyway. I felt like this was a GPs version of why people live longer in Blue Zones, rather than comprehensive reasoning and research into how age affects your health and how to live longer. He does separate his ideas and tips into decades 30s-60s, but repeats himself quite a bit, and the recipes in the book, although healthy, were very simple, ignored the '5' a day rule for vegetables, even though flaunts the 'eat less meat, eat more vegetables' mantra, and calorie wise, were quite low, great for someone loosing weight, but not for someone maintaining it. Great book for someone not after the 'reasons' and science behind it all, and just wants some simple advice on how to get healthy, not a lot though on how to 'live longer' other than just 'get healthy' - like we didn't already know that!

[Jesica · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great well thought out health book. I really enjoyed looking ahead at future life decades to see which health issues I need to watch for and be concerned with and how to eat and what to focus on to avoid running into those problems. If I were dealing with a health issue, told to change my diet, or really even more focused on my meal planning, the pre made meal plans and recipes are excellent. I love that it lists the nutrition and the macros for each recipe so you can really focus on your nutrition. I also really enjoy reading about the different vitamins and minerals, what they do for your body and why you need them. It’s one thing to be told you need to eat protein or you need vitamin a, but it’s a whole other level to understand why you actually need those things and what they do for your body for it to run optimally and avoid disease later in life. This will be a great resource for me and my family as we age.

[Allison · Rating 4 out of 5]

I appreciated this book being separated by age groups. Too many times, health-related books/advice are very general or don’t take into account the different stages of life and how we may need different things along the way. This book is a great starting place if you’re considering overhauling your health. It is easy enough to follow the graphs and recommendations without being overwhelming. I was pleasantly surprised that there was information on working out and more included. There were a lot of helpful tips and actionable information without any extremes like super overpriced supplements, inaccessible special treatments, or other things of that nature that are almost inevitable in health/wellness books nowadays.

Thank you to #NetGalley for a review copy of #EatYourAge. All feedback is my unbiased opinion, not paid, and simply for the love of books.

[Bethany Ergican · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nothing revolutionary but still good information. I did skip a couple parts of the book where the information felt really redundant but it did a good job of breaking down the differences in your body and what it needs nutritionally, physically, and health-wise based on whether you’re in your 30s, 40s, 50s, or 60s. Making sure we’re eating nutritionally dense food and getting in exercise for cardiovascular health and strength are so important, even more so as we age. What we do when we’re young lays the foundation for what our health will be when we’re older. I especially liked the pdf accompanying the audiobook. I’ll definitely be referring to the nutrients and food sources section as well as the 30 day meal plan section with recipes based on your decade.

[Alicia Bayer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very helpful book that’s a bit misnamed because it has to do with a lot of health interventions besides dietary. It goes into your biggest health challenges and changes for each decade and the most important nutrients, activities, health concerns, tests to run, etc. It did feel as if multiple chapters covered the same information, but it had a lot of good information. It had a lot of information on different types of exercises and how to do them. It also covers a lot of the most common health concerns for each decade like joint problems or muscle loss and specific lifestyle changes to minimize them.

I read a digital ARC of this book via NetGalley.

[Lisa · Rating 2 out of 5]

Eat your age is divided into essentially two books with the first part giving interesting information on how our bodies change with age and how diet/exercise needs change accordingly, plus information on exercises and recipes.

I found the first part to be interesting, and if not revelatory information to me, at least a good reminder. The second part I did not find compelling as it felt like a one-size-fits-all approach, and with some many beautifully published cookbooks, I felt the recipes in this one were more like page fillers.

Harvest provided me with a copy of this book; the opinions shared are my unbiased review.

[Mia Davis]

Personally, I really liked the information presented in this book. It is worth reading. Personally, I really liked the information presented in this book. It is worth reading. In addition, I sincerely believe that I think that in addition to nutrition, proper workouts are also important, so that your physical condition and overall health will be better. So for me, a good solution is https://betterme.world/articles/calis... article. In general, the best solution is a combination of proper nutrition and regular exercise, so you can stay in good shape. For me personally, this is the best way to feel and look good.

[Ellen · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars.
Thank you to the author and the publishers for providing me an ARC of this book. This review is seriously delayed and I apologize for that.
This book contains a lot of extremely helpful information for each decade discussed and the explanations are easy to understand. However, the book is a bit repetitive, especially in the middle. Several key points were covered multiple times in the exact same way, which resulted in me skipping over some of them.
Overall, well written for the most part and a very helpful book to have on my bookshelf.

[David Petersen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty basic information. The presentation is broken up by decade but the responses are so similar that it was very repetitive. Also each category given was super repetitive. Constantly encouraging to go to the website for more information. It mostly felt like a commercial. The information given is pretty widely known but if you have no idea on health and wellness than you could start at a worse place.

[Tika · Rating 3 out of 5]

Yikes not the copy-pasting whole sections.

I picked this up in the nonfiction section because it looked new and quick to read while I was waiting for better non-fiction books to be ready to pick up. A lot of this book was common sense, and they tried to shove too much into it while doing none of it well.

[Kim Grider · Rating 2 out of 5]

Information was surface level and repetitive. This audiobook could have been organized better by providing information that applies to all age groups, followed by suggestions for individual age groups. I was hoping for more info on dietary suggestions for my age group - I am hoping there are more ideas in the downloaded pdf than what was given in the book.

[Ray · Rating 1 out of 5]

If you have never read a book on health, diet, nutrition or related topic, this book might have info that would be new to you. But there are much better books to start with.

Most of the pages are charts, recipes (like for a yogurt parfait, or a scrambled egg), suggested meal plans (like have a yogurt parfait for breakfast and a scrambled egg for lunch) and other assorted wasters of pages. Each of these charts etc are repeated for each age range.

[Trippie Reads · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received the early release version through a giveaway, while informative it is somewhat redundant and honestly I think it needed another look over in the revision process. I would probably read this again once refined.

[Sooz Hutch · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to goodreads for this advanced copy! This is a book filled of information for the 30,40,50,60 age groups. There are tons of recipes and meal plans, all the numbers you need to know how you are working with your health and even exercise ideas! It’s a great book to have on hand as you age!

[Holly M · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another repackaging of the same info you can hear from doctors or read in other books. Very small portion on women's health.

If it's the first you've read it could be really good but if you're well read already on health matters, functional medicine then skip it.

[Kelsey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sort of a fear mongering read if I’m being honest lol. Some interesting and important information about all age groups and the importance of your health. Otherwise, this copy received must have been a rough copy of the book due to the amount of typos in it.

[Amy Vonder · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like Dr. Ian & this book has good information. I just found it very I repetitive. the exact same phrasing was obvious & it annoyed me. It may not have bothered me if I was reading the pages, but it was vet noticeable listening to the audio book.