What women over the age of 40 need for good general health is a lot different than what younger women need. These women are usually much more at risk for health problems because their lives have been affected by menopause, are carrying extra weight, or have just come out of menopause. That doesn’t mean that they don’t need to eat well and exercise, but they need to do it in a way that doesn’t put them at risk for long-term health problems. So what women over the age of 40 should be focusing on is eating right. They should be increasing their fiber and protein intake while cutting down on saturated fats. They should be looking for foods that are as natural as possible and are free of harmful preservatives such as MSG, food colorants, flavorings and artificial flavors. When women are shopping for the good food they need to pay attention to the packaging. Not all packaged foods are as healthy as they seem. Many of the healthiest foods you will find are packed in plastic. Packaging means that the shelf life is increased and this means that you will get a higher concentration of harmful ingredients. This means that you need to be careful and read the labels carefully. Another thing that you need to be careful about is your choice of kitchenware. You need to avoid any use of ceramic or plastic as these can contain chemicals that are not good for you. Plastic and ceramics are also difficult to clean, so you will need to get a good cleanser. If you must use ceramic then you should wash it carefully with water and soap but don’t use a lot of heat. You may also need to use a heat sealer between foods to seal the container and make it easy to use. Your daily life will have an effect on your health, so you will need to keep fit and keep active. Try and walk at least three times each week and take daily exercise. You will find that being active will improve your health as well as your mood. If you smoke, you will need to get rid of this bad habit. Smoking can severely affect your health and you will regret it for sure. Women are more likely than men to smoke due to social pressures. Never ever smoke around your children or others. If you are a regular smoker, you should consult your doctor who can give you more advice. Over time smoking can lead to cancer and other serious diseases.