When Cooking Is No Longer An Option
Be alert for signs that an older loved one might not be as handy or safe in the kitchen as they once were. Some clues a senior needs help with meal prep and cooking are: spoiled food in the refrigerator, an empty refrigerator, diminished energy or strength lifting dishes in and out of the cupboard, a burner is left on, cutting skills are shaky, pans are burned .
If an older adult one can no longer cook and doesnt have someone who can cook for them, these companies and organizations provide meals for seniors:
Take Care Of Mental Health
And last but not least, mental health is a critical part of caring for an aging loved one or patient. Without proper mental health, seniors are more at risk for depression and other mental illnesses. It is crucial to maintain a healthy lifestyle with exercise and eating well but also make time for relaxation like meditation or yoga.
And part of maintaining mental health also means socializing with friends and neighbors. We are so happy to have such an immersive and healthy dining experience at Sunflower Communities. Our residents have plenty of meal choices every day and can enjoy our a la carte menu with healthy and alternative meal options. So if you or a loved one are looking for a place that will put your dietary needs first, then give us a call!
Light Summer Dinner Recipes
Pork and Balsamic Strawberry Salad: Dinner salads are a light option for the summer, easily enjoyed while sitting on your outdoor patio with a refreshing glass of iced tea or pinot grigio. Adding pork as the protein in this meal makes for a hearty salad that will satisfy your hunger. And, the addition of seasonal strawberries offers health benefits including improved cardiovascular health, a strengthened immune system, and enhanced brain health.
Stuffed Peppers: This healthy recipe from the American Heart Association is a lighter version of the traditional stuffed pepper that still offers delicious flavor. Bell peppers are in season during warm, summer months and are loaded with vitamins and minerals. In fact, one medium-sized red bell pepper provides 169% of the daily recommended amount of vitamin C thats more than youll find in an orange.
Roasted Chicken with Peach Chutney: This easy roasted chicken recipe is the perfect dinner to have when inviting over family and friends. Peaches are particularity ripe and flavorful from mid-May to mid-August. This low-calorie, juicy indulgence is a great source of vitamin C, which helps build connective tissue and strengthens the immune system.
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Salads And Side Dish Recipes For Seniors
Menegus believes its wonderful when a veggie side is healthy and easy to make. He also feels aiming just for those two goals is setting the bar too low. These next recipes were designed to spark joy … and induce salivation.
This simple option by recipe developer David Bonom offers healthy carbs and fats and goes particularly well with salmon. When these potatoes come out of the oven, theyll be crispy on the outside and creamy on the inside. You get to savor the perfume from the rosemary roasted together with them and from the fresh sprigs youll add as garnish. For a fun look, buy baby red and white potatoes . Ive discovered a special way to set the table when I make this dish: placing it as close to my plate as possible.
For such a healthy and versatile option, this Easy Roasted Asparagus is surprisingly quick and easy to make. In just a little over 15 minutes, its ready to rock your taste buds, and it requires only three pantry staples. This recipe by Sara Mellas is a smart way to get a fiber boost without the unwanted calories. Of course, asparagus provides the most nutritional value when its newly harvested in mid-spring. While this side can accompany just about any main dish, its particularly good with baked salmon or chicken breasts. Serve as soon as its done roasting, which is kind of perfect this succulent asparagus smells too tempting to wait.
The Best Heart Healthy Recipes For Seniors
Heart health is important at any age, but it becomes increasingly important as we grow older. Eating a healthy diet is one of the best ways to keep our hearts healthy and functioning properly.
In this blog post, we will discuss some of the best heart healthy recipes for seniors. We will also talk about the benefits of eating heart healthy foods, and provide some easy recipes that you can try at home!
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The Importance Of Healthy Eating For The Elderly
Nutrition is always important, but it becomes an even bigger priority as you age. You need to eat the right foods for energy, weight control, and disease prevention and management. Basically, food is fuel, and putting the right fuel in your body will help it run optimally.
Unfortunately, your appetite can decrease as you age, making it more difficult to get the nutrients you need. Also, your body doesnât absorb nutrients as well as it did when you were younger, so you need to be mindful every time you make a food choice.
While you face some challenges, you can overcome them by avoiding certain foods and filling your plate with other items. Letâs look at the foods you need to avoid.
Food Substitutions That Satisfy Cravings Without Risking Heart Health
As you or your senior loved one works to change to a heart-healthy diet, you may experience some cravings along the way. To deal with cravings, dont ignore them. Instead, substitute healthier options to satisfy your cravings so you can still enjoy what you eat without risking your heart health. Heres a list of some common cravings and some healthy food substitutions you can use to satisfy those cravings.
| The Food Youre Craving | The Heart Healthy Substitution |
|---|---|
| Go with a baked potato |
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What Is A Healthy Approach To Easy Dieting
If the seniors in your life are anything like my grandma, theyre probably set in their ways. Dr. Presant believes its never too late to rethink ones eating habits, though. The good news is it might involve a few simple adjustments as opposed to a complete overhaul.
For those who feel overwhelmed, Presant suggests starting small adding one healthy ingredient is already an improvement. Its all about progress, not perfection, since there is no one ideal diet. Do your best to make incremental changes to establish new routines, she says.
Menegus, RD, is also a fan of streamlining an existing menu rather than scrapping it altogether. He encourages us to see whether its possible to keep serving some of the dishes the seniors in our care like. This approach can prove particularly motivating for those whove been into certain delicacies since childhood . Cutting out such comfort foods entirely might be unnecessary if they can fit into an overall wholesome lifestyle.
To Menegus, its all about striking a balance between the healthy foods older adults need and the indulgences they love. He recommends first evaluating which components of the diet could use tweaking. For example, if someones having a lot of fast and pre-prepared food, the goal should be to start subbing in some whole food, healthy meals, he explains. For someone whos, say, eating too much sugar, we should look for swaps to replace at least some of it, he continues.
The 7 Best Heart Healthy Foods And Recipes For Seniors
If you have a senior loved one, you know how important it is that they can eat an easy and balanced diet every day. If they are living on their own or youre taking care of them in their home, its up to the two of you to find heart-healthy options for them to enjoy. Were here to make it easier by rounding up some great food choices for your senior loved one!
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Places To Find Great Low Sodium Recipes
All recipe websites have low sodium recipes, but the ones we like best have gathered them into a dedicated low sodium category.
Here are 4 great websites that make it easy to find tasty low sodium recipes. Each link takes you directly to the sites low sodium section.
1. EatingWellEatingWell has a wide variety of low sodium dishes and makes it especially easy to search for specific types of low sodium dishes.
They even have categories for low sodium diabetic and low sodium low carb recipes!
Use the horizontal menu items just above the recipe section to choose specific categories or just scroll down to browse all low sodium recipes.
2. Taste of HomeTaste of Homes website offers a wide range of low sodium dishes.
Theyve even got a handy navigation menu on the right hand side so you can jump directly to the type of recipe youre looking for appetizer, dinner, dessert, etc.
My Recipes is another website with a variety of low sodium recipes, organized by the type of dish.
They have 4 categories: Breads, Desserts, Main Dishes, and Soups.
4. allrecipesallrecipes has a great section of heart-healthy recipes, but they dont have separate categories for specific types of dishes. Youll need to keep scrolling to find something that catches your eye.
You can also use the search by ingredient section at the top of the page if youve got something in the fridge you need to use up.
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Red Snapper Over Sauted Spinach And Tomatoes
Eating fish at least twice a week can help reduce the risk of heart disease. Perk up the flavor of broiled snapper with a Dijon mustard coating and fresh lemon, and serve it over spinach and tomatoes for an easy one-dish meal. Round out the menu with whole-grain rolls or steamed brown rice.
Is Yogurt Good For Elderly Patients
A high-quality yogurt may be good for the elderly, especially if its made with soy or coconut milk rather than cows milk, which, according to The China Study, can acidify the body and contribute to the development of a number of degenerative diseases in elderly populations.
Yogurt thats made with honey or coconut palm sugar are superior to yogurts made with refined sugars.
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Faq #4 My Loved One Fears Having More Heart Problems In The Future What Can I Do To Help
Its normal for your loved one to feel anxious. Help them engage in activities that improve heart health to give them better peace of mind. Make sure your loved one is involved in enjoyable activities to reduce the risk of depression. Relaxation techniques are often helpful for heart patients who feel anxious, since they reduce anxiety while promoting heart health.
Chicken Burger With Sun
If you’ve been carefully monitoring your heart health, then you’ve probably been trying to limit your consumption of red meat and saturated fats. These healthy chicken burgers can be a great alternative to try when you’re hankering for a cheeseburger after a long day.
Get our recipe for Chicken Burger.
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Benefits Of Eating Heart Healthy Foods
In addition to lowering your risk of heart disease, eating a healthy diet has many other benefits as well. It can help to:
- Reduce your risk of stroke
- Lower blood pressure
- one clove of garlic, minced
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- Preheat a skillet over medium heat.
- In a bowl, combine the salmon, bread crumbs, eggs, onion, garlic, salt, and pepper. Mix until everything is evenly combined.
- Form the mixture into patties and place them in the skillet. Cook for about four minutes per side or until they are golden brown.
These are just a few of our favorite easy, heart healthy recipes! There are countless other recipes available online and in cookbooks. Just be sure to check with your doctor or dietitian before making any significant changes to your diet.
Fruit And Veggie Kababs
It doesn’t just have to be summer to enjoy kebabsyou can eat them year-round. While some recipes call for versions that are primarily meat, switch things up by loading your skewers with protein-packed veggies and fruit to sweeten things up. And one of the best combos for your delicious rainbow of dinner? Mushrooms, pineapple, zucchini, tomatoes, strawberries, and bell peppers. It couldn’t possibly get any more fresh.
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Excess Sodium Hides In Packaged Foods
Our bodies only need 1/4 teaspoon of salt every day, but the average American eats 5 or more teaspoons of salt each day.
Thats about 20 times more than the body needs!
Sodium is found naturally in foods, but most of it is added during processing and preparation watch out for these top 10 sources.
And many packaged foods that dont taste salty can still be high in sodium especially canned, processed, and convenience foods.
High amounts of sodium are also found in foods served at fast food restaurants.
Garlicky Roasted Eggplant With Creamy Yogurt Sauce
Eggplant is the star of this easy meal for seniors and a great source of senior nutrition that boasts phytonutrients a memory booster and fiber for digestive health. Its also a soft food thats easy on dentures without being mushy.
Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon Mediterranean spice blend, or your favorite blend
Instructions
For the Creamy Yogurt Sauce
- 1 cup Greek yogurt
- 1 clove garlic, finely chopped
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon fresh herbs, like basil or mint
Mix all ingredients in a small bowl add salt and pepper to taste.
Serve your roasted eggplant with the yogurt sauce for a fresh, Mediterranean dish. Consider brown rice, whole-grain pasta, or chopped cucumbers and tomatoes as a side dish.
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Switching To A Heart Healthy Diet For Seniors
Heart disease is the nations leading cause of death in both women and men, and the number one risk factor for heart disease is age. Aging often results in a thickened or weakened heart muscle, raising the risk for this disease. According to the American Heart Association, among seniors between the ages of 60 and 79, approximately 70% have cardiovascular disease and around 66% of heart disease deaths occur in individuals over the age of 75.
The month of February happens to be American Heart Month, and if youre a senior or a caregiver to a senior with heart disease, its the perfect time to start thinking about making some changes to improve heart health. Making small changes can have big results, and eating a heart-healthy diet is one of the 7 factors to improving your heart health, according to the Heart Association.
When combined with other healthy habits, eating a heart-healthy diet can help you control blood pressure, control blood sugar levels, maintain a healthy weight, and lower cholesterol. Whether your loved one already has heart disease, high blood pressure, or high cholesterol or you want to simply prevent these problems, learn to follow a heart-healthy diet can reduce the risk of heart attack and prevent or manage these conditions.
What To Eat In Between Meals
Karr recommends incorporating nutritional snacks in between meals, such as high-fiber rye crisps with Swiss cheese or guacamole on top. And, while older adults do need to stay well-hydrated, they are better off taking small sips during the day in order to avoid frequent sprints to the bathroom. Karr says that a glass of water kept by their favorite chair is the answer.
To avoid stomach upset, the water should be room temperature or warm. Add in some lemon, lime or a few berries for extra flavor, and they can take small sips all day to stay sufficiently hydrated.
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Quick & Easy Meals For Seniors
Breakfast
Homemade chili with whole wheat buns
Chicken, shrimp, & vegetable stir fry with brown rice
Turkey meatloaf with mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce & green beans
Once your senior mom or dad feels confident trying a few new recipes, remind them that each new inspiration can probably be made a few different ways. A panini is simply a toasted sandwich, and can be made with any number of sandwich fillings. A wrap feels new, but really can be made with any favourite ingredients. They can change up the protein in most dishes to suit their tastes, as well as alternate sides, salads, and cooked vegetables. Brainstorming lists of possible protein sources, vegetables, fruits, and healthy alternatives can be helpful as well.
There are a wide variety of sources for recipes, so dont hesitate to jump online and look for inspiration. If your senior mom or dad is comfortable on a computer, they may be able to check out healthy eating or cooking websites, food blogs, or even curated sites like Pinterest for ideas themselves. Were sure youll find lots of new favourites just keep in mind to look for healthy options to help meet nutritional needs. When in doubt, use resources that will help you ensure your senior parent is getting all the nutrients they need to stay healthy. You can chat with their family doctor, or look for recommended daily intake for seniors online.
What are clues a senior needs help with meal preparation?
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