What foods should I avoid to stay healthy as I age?

Eileen Greene advises avoiding sugar (desserts, sodas), processed foods, fried foods, and largely cutting out red meat and excessive dairy. She suggests plant-based alternatives for milk, yogurt, cheese, and butter.

What are good protein sources for a healthy diet?

For protein, Eileen Greene relies on chicken, fish, nuts, beans, quinoa, and pasture-raised eggs. She also mentions using protein powder.

How important is mindset for aging well?

Mindset is critical for living well into your 90s. Eileen Greene emphasizes the indispensable roles of positivity and gratitude, which she practices daily through gratitude exercises.

What can people in their 90s still do?

Even in their 90s, people can still enjoy activities like ping pong, cornhole, mini basketball, baseball, writing memoirs, life coaching, and engaging with family. Social media, like TikTok, can also be a source of connection and joy.

Why is 'paying it forward' important for seniors?

Paying it forward, or sharing wisdom and experience, is the fourth secret to a long life according to Eileen Greene. It brings joy, energy, and a sense of purpose, connecting with others and contributing to society.

What historical context shaped Eileen Greene's generation?

Eileen Greene was born in 1929, experiencing the Great Depression without modern conveniences like widespread TV, phones, or the internet. This era forged resilience, grit, and a unique perspective that she feels many today cannot imagine.

How I stay young in my 90s | Eileen Greene | TEDxPacific Avenue

TED

Nonprofits & Activism4 min read17 min video

Mar 10, 2026|1,163 views|9|4

Aging Diet English Health Life Hack Love Sports TEDxTalks Vegan/Vegetarian [TEDxEID:63397]

Save to Pod

Key Moments

TL;DR

Stay young at 90+ with ping pong, healthy diet, positivity, gratitude, and paying it forward.

Key Insights

Ping pong is identified as the single best brain activity for seniors, potentially adding years to life.

A disciplined, largely plant-based diet, free from sugar and processed foods, is crucial for fueling the body.

Maintaining a positive mindset and practicing gratitude are essential for navigating the challenges of aging.

Older generations possess unique experiences and wisdom that can benefit younger people.

Paying it forward by sharing accumulated wisdom and experiences is a vital aspect of a fulfilling elderhood.

Embracing elderhood with pride and recognizing the immense value of accumulated life experiences is important.

THE POWER OF PING PONG FOR BRAIN HEALTH

Eileen Greene emphasizes ping pong as a paramount activity for seniors, scientifically recognized as the #1 brain activity for this age group. This engaging sport can add over nine years to one's life, as supported by neuroscientists like Dr. Daniel Amen. Greene herself plays extensively, finding immense joy and energy in the game. She highlights her personal achievements, including a remarkable 631 consecutive hits, and playfully mentions collecting medals, underscoring the sport's physical and mental benefits that extend far beyond mere recreation.

NUTRITIONAL FOUNDATIONS FOR LONGEVITY

Complementing physical activity, Eileen stresses the importance of a disciplined diet, largely plant-based, to fuel one's body, especially into the 90s. She consciously avoids sugar, desserts, sodas, and processed foods. Fried foods and red meat are also largely excluded, with occasional chicken or seafood consumed. Dairy intake is minimized, opting for plant-based alternatives like oat, almond, or hemp milk, coconut yogurt, vegan cheese, and oat milk butter. Her refrigerator is stocked with a vibrant array of organic vegetables, fruits, nuts, seeds, olive oil, and ginger, ensuring a rich intake of nutrients.

PROTEIN SOURCES AND OCCASIONAL INDULGENCES

Addressing protein needs within her dietary framework, Eileen incorporates chicken, fish, nuts, beans, quinoa, protein powder, and pasture-raised eggs daily. Despite her strict regimen, she admits to one daily indulgence: a small shot of organic tequila, which she playfully states she will not give up, regardless of scientific findings. This adds a touch of personal authenticity, showing that a disciplined approach does not necessarily mean complete deprivation, but rather mindful choices and the allowance for small, cherished exceptions.

MINDSET MASTERY: POSITIVITY AND GRATITUDE

Beyond physical well-being, Eileen highlights the critical role of mindset, supported by her background in hypnotherapy and spiritual psychology. Positivity and gratitude are identified as indispensable for healthy aging. She practices gratitude daily, appreciating what she had and still possesses. Despite facing physical challenges like needing a walker, experiencing vertigo, and requiring assistance for daily tasks, she strives to remain positive and grateful. This mental resilience allows her to engage in activities like playing cornhole, mini basketball, baseball, writing memoirs, and life coaching.

THE VALUE OF INTERGENERATIONAL CONNECTION AND SOCIAL MEDIA

Eileen actively engages with younger generations through social media platforms like TikTok, often going viral and receiving affirming comments. She finds joy in connecting with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren and even expresses a willingness to have more grandchildren, highlighting her openness and desire for connection. The positive feedback on social media reassures her that these platforms are valuable for all ages. She cherishes the wisdom shared by others online and the opportunity to share her own experiences, demonstrating the power of digital connectivity in fostering intergenerational understanding.

EMBRACING ELDERHOOD AND THE WISDOM OF EXPERIENCE

Eileen advocates for a shift in cultural perception, urging for elders to be recognized and celebrated for their immense value and accumulated wisdom. Born in 1929, she experienced the Great Depression, a time vastly different from today, which she believes forged strength and resilience. She emphasizes that the experiences of her generation are unique and irreplaceable. She encourages fellow seniors to be proud of their contributions, their values, and their grit, recognizing that their life journeys offer profound insights that can guide and enrich others.

PAYING IT FORWARD: SHARING WISDOM FOR A FULFILLING LIFE

The final secret to a vibrant life, according to Eileen, is to 'pay it forward' by sharing the wisdom and experience gained over many years. This act of giving back provides her with immense joy, energy, and a feeling of youthfulness. She expresses a deep care for others and hopes they too will lead long, healthy lives filled with contribution and love. This principle of reciprocal giving underscores a philosophy of lifelong learning, purpose, and connection, extending her legacy and positively impacting the world.

Mentioned in This Episode

●Products

●Software & Apps

●Companies

●Concepts

●People Referenced

Eileen Greene's Secrets to Staying Young in Your 90s

Practical takeaways from this episode

Do This

Play ping pong regularly for brain health.

Prioritize eating a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, nuts, and lean protein.

Practice gratitude and maintain a positive mindset daily.

Share your wisdom and experiences with younger generations (pay it forward).

Embrace opportunities for connection and learning, even in old age.

Avoid This

Avoid excessive sugar, processed foods, fried foods, and red meat.

Don't rely solely on genetics; active lifestyle choices are crucial.

Don't let physical limitations lead to a negative outlook.

Don't underestimate the value and wisdom of elders.

Common Questions

According to Dr. Daniel Amen, ping pong is considered the very best activity for seniors to engage in for their brain health. Eileen Greene herself plays it extensively and finds it fun and invigorating.