It’s important for seniors to eat a healthy lunch each day. Doing so may prevent them from feeling tired in the early afternoon and snacking on less healthy options. Prepping some simple lunches ahead of time makes it easier for your aging loved one to grab a healthy, delicious meal.
Roasted Vegetable Salad
Don’t reach for a head of nutrition-lacking iceberg lettuce when preparing a salad for your loved one. Instead, try roasted vegetable salad. Root vegetables, such as carrots, parsnips, beets, and onions, sweeten when roasted in the oven. Carrots are high in beta-carotene, a nutrient that can strengthen the immune system. Roasting the vegetables in a small amount of olive oil can also help your loved one absorb fat-soluble nutrients.
Whole Wheat Wraps
Give your loved one a protein boost with a whole wheat wrap. Protein is essential for the maintenance of lean muscle tissue. Maintaining healthy muscle mass may protect your loved one from serious injuries in case of a fall. Line a whole wheat tortilla with lean chicken or turkey and top with finely diced vegetables and dressing before wrapping tightly.
A professional care worker can be a wonderful source of information and encouragement as your loved one adopts new healthy habits, including eating more nutritious foods. In Orlando, elder care agencies can be a great boon to seniors. With the help of the caregivers at Prestige Home Care, your aging loved one can lead a happier and healthier life. We offer a revolutionary program called the Balanced Care Method, which encourages seniors to eat nutritious foods, exercise and socialize regularly, and focus on other lifestyle factors that increase life expectancy.
Loaded Cottage Cheese
Cottage cheese is high in both protein and calcium and is a great option if your loved one needs to eat soft foods. One cup of low-fat cottage cheese provides 28 grams of protein and 11 percent of the daily recommended intake of calcium. Calcium strengthens the bones and may prevent osteoporosis. Top a bowl of cottage cheese with finely diced berries and a drizzle of honey.
Baked Sweet Potato
If your loved one has diabetes, he or she may have been told to avoid baked potatoes. However, sweet potatoes are low on the glycemic index and have less of an impact on blood sugar levels. Sweet potatoes are also high in fiber, which can keep your loved one regular, and vitamin C, which supports the immune system. Topping a sweet potato with low-fat chili can provide a protein boost as well.
Family caregivers need to maintain healthy lifestyles too, which involves taking time to attend to their own wellbeing. In Windermere, respite care is a great help to many families. Caring for a senior loved one can be overwhelming at times, which puts family caregivers at risk for burnout. However, an in-home caregiver can take over your loved one’s care, allowing you the time you need to focus on your own health, maintain a full-time job, or care for other members of your family.
Pasta Salad
A chilled pasta salad mixed with heart-healthy olive oil and diced vegetables is a great meal to prepare in advance for the week ahead. Broccoli, cauliflower, and red bell peppers can be finely diced and tossed with whole wheat pasta. Try adding canned salmon, which is high in omega-3 fatty acids, for some protein. Omega-3 fatty acids decrease inflammation and promote healthier hair and skin.
Spinach Smoothie
Spinach is extremely high in lutein, a nutrient that can keep eyes healthy and prevent glaucoma. Many seniors have a difficult time eating salads made with fresh spinach. Try blending up the spinach in a delicious smoothie instead. Blending bananas and strawberries with the spinach masks the taste of the vegetable and provides a boost of potassium. Blend with Greek yogurt and a drizzle of honey to increase the protein in the smoothie.
A professional caregiver can be a terrific source of support for a senior who needs a hand with planning and preparing nutritious meals. If your aging loved one needs help managing everyday tasks or encouragement to adopt healthier lifestyle choices, turn to Prestige Home Care, a leading provider of homecare. Prestige Home Care provides professional in-home caregivers around the clock to help seniors live longer, happier, and healthier lives. We will work with you to create a customized home care plan that’s suited for your loved one’s unique needs. Call the Prestige Home Care team at (407) 232-7155 today.