Manufacturers of skin- and hair-care products make millions from women over 50 seeking a more youthful appearance. But relationship guru Melinda Lee says women can look and feel healthy and sexy well into middle age by simply eating right, getting regular exercise, and taking good care of themselves.

The acclaimed author of the "Sexy Over 50" book series and creator of the Spoga mind-body workouts tells Newsmax Health aging gracefully can be achieved more cheaply — and easily — by natural methods, than through expensive surgical procedures and beauty products.

Lee says three food groups can help women stay vital and healthy in middle age and beyond:

Berries: Lee recommends a diet rich in berries and other colorful fruits and vegetables, which are loaded with antioxidants and other compounds linked to health and longevity. "I would say the more color the better," she says.

Nuts: She notes that tree nuts are nutritional powerhouses — packed with healthy fats, protein, vitamins, and minerals — tied to heart and brain healthy.

Seafood: Salmon, tuna, and other varieties of fish and seafood are high-protein, low-fat sources of healthy fish oil, which many studies have shown lower the risk of diabetes, heart disease, brain disorders, and even joint pain. "There's omega-3 fatty acids in them that are particularly good for the skin," Lee says.

In addition to eating well, Lee says you should also be sure to drink "lots and lots of water" — most experts recommend at least 48 ounces a day, for most healthy people — to stay hydrated.

"And, of course, for those of us that like to imbibe, occasionally, a little red wine, there's something called resveratrol that's in it that has all these anti-aging ingredients," she notes, adding women should drink no more than "one glass a day."