Over time, seniors need to pay closer attention than ever to what they eat and when. Proper nutrition helps aging adults to maintain their energy levels, keep their immune systems strong, and have the quality of life they want. Planning and cooking meals that are delicious and nutritious can be a bigger challenge than seniors expect, however.
Focus on Nutrients
Appetite changes and other issues can make it tough for seniors to eat as much as they did in the past. The focus needs to shift to nutrient-dense foods. That allows them to get the vitamins, minerals, and other essential nutrients they need even if they’re eating less food. Senior home care providers can help seniors match up what they enjoy eating with the recommended diets from their doctors.
Add Veggies and Fruits
Some of the most nutrient-dense foods are fruits and vegetables. Aiming for a colorful plate is a good overall rule because seniors get a mix of different nutrients. Not only are fruits and veggies full of nutrients, they also contain fiber that helps with digestion as well as managing blood pressure and blood sugar levels.
Hydration Sometimes Is Forgotten
Seniors need plenty of hydrating fluids each day. It’s easy to forget that hydration is an important part of nutrition. Sipping water through the day makes it easier for seniors to regulate body temperature, avoid headaches, and absorb nutrients. Dehydration can lead to problems like fatigue, confusion, and increased risk of urinary tract infections.
Healthy Fats Are Good
Lots of people avoid fats, even healthy ones, out of misunderstanding. Healthy fats support brain function and heart health, so they’re important to include in daily meals. Some of the ways to do this include eating seeds and nuts, avocados, and olive oil. Incorporating foods like fatty fish are also a great idea.
Reduce Salt and Sugar
So many health issues are exacerbated when seniors eat diets that are higher in sugar and salt. Reducing the intake of processed foods and foods with added sugar can help to reduce salt and sugar fairly quickly. Senior home care providers can help aging adults find dishes and recipes that are still delicious, but don’t include ingredients that seniors need to avoid.
Make Meals Easy to Grab
One of the reasons seniors often eat poorly is that it’s a chore to make meals and then clean up afterward. Seniors also experience fluctuations in their appetites, which can affect when and what they’re willing to eat. Senior home care providers can help by preparing meals that seniors can freeze and heat up easily.
Smaller Meals More Often
Another solution that can help is for seniors to have smaller meals more often. Including protein with every meal, even the smaller ones, helps seniors to get the nutritional mix they need to maintain muscle and keep their bodies healthier. Smaller meals and snacks can be easier for aging adults to eat throughout the day, ensuring that seniors eventually get plenty of nutrients.
Healthy eating doesn’t have to be complicated for aging adults. Senior home care providers make meal preparation and planning easier, especially when seniors want to eat more nutritious meals.
If you or an aging loved one are considering senior home care in Belmont, MA, please contact the caring staff at PlatinumCare + today. Call (617) 237-0867.
PlatinumCare + was born out of the desire and passion to provide the very best home health care possible in Brookline, Dover, Newton, Needham, Watertown, Weston, Cambridge, Lincoln, Sudbury, Belmont, Boston MA, and surrounding areas.
All with decades of experience, Tim in IT Operations, Support, and Management, Brenda in Client Relations, Healthcare Services & Sales Management, and Anne in Healthcare as a Nurse Practitioner combined their skills to form what is now PlatinumCare +.
As immigrants to the US, all came from backgrounds where Healthcare for aging parents was a responsibility of the immediate family and the entire community. Aging, sick, or terminal community members were cared for physically, emotionally, and financially by family, friends, including strangers! This community approach, Healthcare with a difference, delivered with the utmost love, care, sacrifice, and passion, forms the basis of how PlatinumCare + grounds itself.
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