Getting older often means seniors have to make dietary changes to stay healthy. Following a healthy diet doesn’t have to be difficult. Instead, your aging loved one can use these easy tips to adjust to eating better foods without making major sacrifices.
1. Choose Healthier Convenience Foods
There will be times when your loved one just wants a snack or needs to grab something to take on the road. Storing pre-cut vegetables in the fridge in handy containers makes it easy to take a healthy snack versus grabbing a bag of chips. Nuts are another great option that can satisfy your loved one’s hunger on busy days.
2. Linger Over Meals
Eating slowly is a great way to reduce calorie consumption. If your loved one lives alone, encourage him or her to invite a companion over to eat. Your loved one will be more likely to enjoy a meal for 20 minutes or more, which is long enough for the brain to register that he or she is getting full.
3. Switch to Whole Grain Bread
White bread is made from refined flour that’s stripped of most of its nutrients. Whole grain bread is packed with more fiber and contains less sugar. Switching to a new type of bread is also a minor change your loved one may barely notice, but it can make a big difference in his or her health.
A professional caregiver with expertise in nutrition can be a wonderful source of information and encouragement for your loved one. Maintaining a high quality of life can be challenging for some seniors, but professional caregivers can help them attain this goal. Families can trust senior care experts to help their elderly loved ones focus on lifestyle choices that increase the chances of living longer and healthier lives.
4. Enjoy a Leafy Starter
Many older adults don’t eat enough vegetables. While your loved one might be looking forward to a meat entrée, starting with a plate of leafy greens gives him or her an edge when trying to meet his or her daily vegetable intake goals. Your loved one should avoid making this option less healthy by adding too much dressing. A simple salad provides the most benefits.
5. Explore New Ways to Eat Favourite Fried Foods
There’s no denying that fried chicken and French fries taste delicious, but they contain large amounts of grease. Experimenting with new ways to cook these types of foods allows your loved one to continue to enjoy them without worrying about excessive fat being added to the meal. Baked French fries taste just as good as those fried in grease. Air fryers are another option to still get that crisp texture without the fat.
If your loved one needs help planning and preparing nutritious meals, a professional caregiver can be a fantastic source of support. Living independently is important for seniors who want to maintain a high quality of life. For some, this simply means receiving help with tasks that have become more challenging to manage over time. Even when families have the best intentions, they may not have the time to provide the care their elderly loved ones need and deserve. If your loved one needs help for a few hours a day or a few days a week, reach out to Home Care Assistance, a trusted provider of respite care Calgary seniors can depend on.
6. Eat Fruit Instead of Drinking Juice
Many seniors grew up drinking juice with breakfast, and it’s definitely better than guzzling soda. However, eating whole fruit provides more fiber. The body also processes fruit more slowly than juice, which can help your loved one maintain better blood sugar levels.
7. Cook at Home
Going out to eat is fun for special occasions, but restaurant meals typically have large portions that are high in fat and calories. Having someone help your loved one cook at home is often easier than going out, and your parent will have more control over his or her diet. Meal preparation assistance from a home caregiver is an option for enjoying professionally cooked meals without having to put in too much effort.
In Calgary, at-home care providers can benefit aging adults in a variety of ways. From cooking nutritious meals to offering timely medication reminders, the dedicated caregivers at Home Care Assistance are available to help your elderly loved one 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. To learn about our high-quality in-home care options, give us a call at 403-301-3777 today.