If you are preparing meals for a senior who prefers carbs to carrots (and honestly – who doesn’t?), you could find it difficult to ensure their nutritional needs are being fulfilled. And you’re not alone. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shares that only one in ten older adults is meeting the recommendation of at least three servings of vegetables and two servings of fruit each day. Multiple studies have revealed that older adults who do follow these guidelines lower their risk for heart disease, diabetes, and other chronic health issues, and ultimately live longer.
Perhaps it is the perfect time to think outside of the box to get more fruits and veggies into a senior’s diet and to encourage healthier eating habits. For example:
Make it smooth. Smoothies and sauces are great ways to integrate a plethora of superfoods. You can easily create a refreshing, tasty drink by blending fresh fruit, yogurt, and a handful of spinach. Or experiment with pureeing an assortment of vegetables to mix in with marinara sauce: zucchini, kale, bell peppers, carrots, etc.
Keep it crunchy. There are so many nutritious alternatives to greasy potato chips for a crispy snack or as a side to enjoy with a sandwich. Pick up several for the older adult in order to see which ones are most enjoyable: kale, sweet potato, eggplant, radish, beet, green bean, and much more. Or try freeze-dried fruit, another crunchy and nutritious alternative.
Freeze it up. Create your own easy, healthy frozen treats by blending fruit with a small amount of juice or water, pouring into popsicle molds, and freezing until solid. These also make a great multi-generational activity! Invite the family over, let everyone select their favorite flavor to make, and then spend some quality time together as you wait for them to chill before enjoying your individual creations.
Go for convenience. Slicing, peeling, chopping, cooking – the numerous steps necessary to prepare some fruits and vegetables make it much simpler to grab a prepackaged snack. Look for healthy alternatives that are just as easy to grab and enjoy, such as baby carrots, ready-to-eat salads, or other cleaned and sliced veggies, individual cups of fruit, bananas, etc.
Join a CSA. If you have never considered a CSA, now is an ideal time to investigate this option. A CSA (community supported agriculture) is a subscription service for fresh produce from local farmers. Find out more and discover a CSA in your area here.
At Independence-4-Seniors Home Care, our caregivers are skilled in preparing delicious, healthy meals in accordance with each person’s individual preferences. We can pick up all of the ingredients too! Just reach out to us at (630) 323-4665 for help with enhancing the health of a senior you love and to learn more about our customized home care in Darien and the surrounding areas.