At 113 years of age, Walter Breuning has seen a lot (and I mean A LOT) of fad diets come and go. So what’s the dietary secret to his longevity?
Eating less… yup, that’s pretty much it!
Breuning was born in 1896. Before we get into how he defies father time, let that sink in for a minute… eighteen freaking ninety-six! Here’s what was going on around the time Walter was born:
- The first modern Olympics took place.
- The X-Ray was invented.
- A man was fined for breaking the speed limit of 2mph.
- George Burns was born that same year–that guy was OLD and he’s been dead for a while now!
Now obviously old Walt has some pretty good genes to have lived to supercentenarian-hood. But, here is some advice Breuning offers to help explain his impressive mileage:
I think you should push back from the table when you’re still hungry.
At 5 foot 8 and 125 pounds, Breuning limits himself to a big breakfast and lunch every day and no supper. Breakfast usually consists of eggs, toast or pancakes.
You get in the habit of not eating at night, and you realize how good you feel. If you could just tell people not to eat so darn much.
Breuning also eats a lot of fruit every day and takes a low dose aspirin, the only medication of any kind he takes.
Don’t forget the water:
I drink water all the time and just a bit of coffee. I drink a cup and a half of coffee for breakfast and a cup with lunch.
And, the wisdom of having lived through the great depression…
Everybody was poor years ago… When we were kids, we ate what was on the table. Crusts of bread or whatever it was. You ate what they put on your plate, and that’s all you got.
Breuning also believes that hard work is beneficial, holding down two jobs for most of his life, and carrying on a single job until the age of 99.
He also keeps his mind sharp by interacting with people who visit him at his retirement home, and he listens to the radio, as his vision does not allow him to read anymore.
Breuning celebrated his 113th birthday with not one but two cakes, one chocolate and one vanilla. And, for his birthday lunch he got his favorite, liver and onions.
I have to say this is an incredible story. It is always fascinating to see how people keep spry in their elder years. The eating less mantra certainly corresponds well with the literature which shows calorie restriction to lengthen life.
Calorie restriction works. I saw a segment on it before, and if you want to be the healthiest you can be you can do it with calorie restriction. Obviously you want healthy calories cause it doesnt do much good eating only 2 snickers bars a day.
Such an amazing life and story. It blew me away when I read what he eats regularly everyday and that he only has 2 meals a day! Maybe that should be the new Weight Watchers plan, or maybe only lucky, lucky people can live that long lol
TH
ArrowSmith,
The Calorie restriction studies apply to all calories, not just carbohydrates.
People in general eat too much that’s part of the reason why our society is so overweight and obese! By simply eating smaller portions, in addition to an overall healthy diet and fit lifestyle, we could go a long way to increasing our health and longevity.
That’s really inspiring. I can only hope I take full advantage of my family’s longevity genes…my relatives that didn’t smoke and drink a lot all lived to be 90+ years old. My grandma is 75 now and she has indeed been eating smaller portions as she gets older. As you age, your metabolism does slow down, so you probably can get by with no dinner and be fine.
Hehe. I never said I was on the paleo-diet. I’m actually on a moderate carb diet. Here’s a typical menu:
* intensive 45-min workout
breakfast – oatmeal with fats and protein OR eggs with cottage cheese and tomatoes
lunch – protein with vegetables OR a flatbread with lean coldcuts and veggies
snack – usually nuts
dinner – salad with olive oil dressing OR meat with vegetables swimming in butter
Hey Arrow, I think your paleo diet has made your brain become paleo as well.
Again, what is right for you is not always right for others!
Hey klynn you didn’t mention your grandpa’s weight/hight. How about that?
He is just a statistically outlier. With the billions of people on this earth… there is a good chance that 0.000000001% of the entire world will live to be 113. He is also fortunate that he didnt die in birth, childhood, injury, etc.
Jody – Fit At 101… haha it can happen. I believe.
It has to be genetics. I mean his ticker is 113 years old! Even if you keep healthy, it will give out after 80-90 years. He has resilient heart muscle.
He really meant “people should stop eating so many darn refined carbs and sugars”. You can eat unlimited amounts of meat and fat with NO health consequences. IN fact I highly recommend it!
FJ, you are always so real! Yes, live to that age & then talk. I eat plenty of whole grain breads & do fine!
I loved this story! Best I’ve read for a while. It’s great to take the time and learn from those who have done it all before. Thanks!
No matter how good your genetics are, you can’t live that long without taking care of your body%Pr
Toast is carb overload? What a little panzy! You continue to embrace us with your doorknobism. I agree when Alchem tho… The day you live to be 113, you may speak on this matter of longevity.
Until then, S-T-F-U and admire the fact that this dude is alive at an age which most of us will never reach.
Genetics. He lived that long due to genetics.
Loved this post! AND loved his comment, “If you could just tell people not to eat so darn much.”
Thx for the inspiration!
Hahaha. Talk about hubris.
This guy has lived longer than any of us ever will, and you’re going to teach him something about how to live? Give me a break.
Toast or pancakes for breakfast? Talk about a carb overload. I think I could teach this geezer a thing or two about right eating!
Respect To This Grandpa. And liver rocks, no wonder he’s lived so long.
I have to wonder, though, if he really “ate less” his entire life. Most people eat less and less as they age. Even if Walter only remembers well his dietary habits of the last 30 years, he’d have still been octogenarian-plus.
That liver and onions is his favorite is pretty encouraging to me, as I consider liver to be one of the best of all foods (vitamins and minerals galore, plus some).
A good diet & healthy life-style will reduce your chances of a premature death, but it’s primarily your genetics that determine how long your natural life will be.
What a great story! I just lost my mom in June and she was only 67. I wish she had taken better care of herself.
Such an inspirational man. Thanks for the great article!
Best,
Sunny
My grandfather ate dinner and everything else he could get his hands on. Plenty of butter, lots of meat, chocolate cake with ice cream. Including dinner. He ate what he wanted when he wanted, he walked and was still bright and active until the day died. He did not eat less, and frankly didn’t exercise much.
He lived happily to 101
That would be good enough for me. For me life without dinner would suck.