Archive for category: Senior Nutrition

Eating healthy is one of the key requirements to have a disease-free and fulfilling life. In today’s world, everyone is so busy with his or her work; the one thing that many tend to ignore is to have a balanced and nutritious diet. Instead, they resort to junk food, which is easy to make, fast to assimilate and appeal to the taste bud. If there could be certain recipes which along with the characteristics mentioned for junk food, was healthy as well, that would be a win-win situation for all. This holds true for senior citizens as well.

After a certain age, proper food becomes all the more critical because of the deteriorating condition of the body and the inability to digest anything and everything. The taste bud changes, the side effects of medications ruin the will to eat much, and a certain amount of laziness creeps in. Systems of the body tend to become more delicate which requires a little more care than when young. Therefore, the importance of a healthy diet is more for senior citizens. Here are 7 easy and healthy recipes!

Banana Split Oatmeal

Take some oatmeal cereal along with salt in a microwave-safe vessel along with some water and heat it for a minute. Stir it for some time and microwave it again for 1 minute. You can also heat an additional 30 seconds to get the thickness you want. After that is done, add banana slices and yogurt and have this easy to make the recipe as breakfast.

Pan-grilled Salmon with Pineapple Salsa

If the taste were a major factor, this would be at the top of the list. The salsa is primarily made by combining cilantro, onion, rice vinegar, pineapple and red pepper. Take a grilling pan, sprinkle some oil on it, add the fish fillets and cook for 4 minutes on each side. Add salsa on top for finger-licking taste. Ideal for lunch or dinner and has high nutrition content.

Crustless Spinach Pie

Who doesn’t like a pie? A spinach pie might raise some eyebrows, but the speculations are uncalled for as it is as tasty as a pie can get. To make this recipe, you should heat the oven up to 350 degrees. Take a baking pan and melt butter on it. Take beaten eggs, milk, flour, garlic, add some baking powder to it, and pour the whole mixture onto a baking pan. Add some cheese and spinach to it and bake until you get the golden brown. The crustless spinach pie is ready to be served.

Marinated Three-Bean Salad

As the name suggests, this salad consists of 3 types of beans. This recipe is very easy to make and can be stored for consumption for a more extended period. Take canned lima beans, green beans and kidney beans in a bowl. Take an onion, make rings out of it, and add them to the assortment of beans. Add some green bell pepper and top it with some fat-free Italian dressing. Mix it well and marinate it in a refrigerator for almost half an hour. Drain the water before serving this delicious salad.

Spring Vegetable Soup

Soup is always a good and tasty food item and adding a variety of vegetables to it increases its health value tremendously. To make this soup, heat some oil first at a medium flame and then add the vegetables like tomatoes, peas, cabbage, artichoke and others according tochoices. To this mixture, add water and a little tomato juice. Boil it. After the heat reduces, add basil leaves and simmer until the vegetables become soft and tender. Add appropriate seasonings for taste.

Greek Yogurt Parfait

Take yogurt and vanilla and mix it in a bowl. Take four parfait glass and add this mixture to it. Top it with honey, nuts, and clementine. Add the remaining mixture on top of that and garnish with honey, clementine, and nuts again. Serve immediately and splurge on this healthy breakfast menu.

Chocolate Peanut-Butter Shake

This is ideal for the oldies with a sweet tooth as it contains chocolate superfood. Take some milk and peanut butter and mix it in a blender. You can add ice cubes and chocolate ice cream to it and blend again till the desired consistency is achieved. The shake is ready in no time and will tickle the taste buds extensively.

Once you grow old, you do not have to compromise on anything, be it taste or health, once you know how to make these recipes, the best part being that it can be prepared in a moment.

HERE ARE SOME WARNING SIGNS TO LOOK OUT FOR – AND STEPS TO TAKE – WHEN IT COMES TO YOUR LOVED ONES NOT EATING PROPERLY.

Eating a well-balanced diet is essential to health and well-being no matter what age you are, but for seniors, it’s especially important.  That’s because our bodies don’t absorb nutrients very efficiently as we age, so it’s crucial that the foods we eat are more nutrient-dense.

The problem is, many seniors start eating less or simply resort to what’s convenient when it comes to their diet, which in many cases can lead to malnutrition.  According to a study conducted by the Annals of Emergency Medicine, over 60% of seniors that check-into an emergency room in the US are malnourished or at risk for malnutrition!

There are many reasons why the diets of many seniors suffer, including:

• Loneliness
• Trouble chewing
• Depression
• Memory issues
• General apathy towards cooking

For family members caring for aging loved ones, it can be hard to know when you should be concerned and intervene.  Here are 5 warning signs to look out for, followed by actions steps once you’ve identified the problem.

1. WEIGHT LOSS

Problematic weight loss is defined as losing more than 5% of body weight in one month.  Losing weight too quickly can lead to loss of muscle and body tissue, which can reduce strength and mobility.

2. LOW ENERGY

Simply put, eating food is what gives us energy.  If we stop eating properly or don’t eat enough, our energy levels are going to plummet.  When you’re around your loved ones, if you notice they seem excessively tired or have considerably cut back on their normal exercise routine because they’re “just not feeling up to it lately”, that’s a flag.

3. MEDICAL TEST RESULTS

As much as possible, it’s important to be aware of your loved one’s cholesterol, blood glucose, and blood pressure levels.  If you notice significant changes or they’ve been diagnosed with a chronic disease (ex: diabetes or heart disease), there’s a good chance their diet has played a role in their declining health.

4. EMPTY FRIDGE AND PANTRY

This is a telltale sign your loved one isn’t eating right.  Either they’re eating out all the time, which is hardly ever a healthy choice, or they’re simply not eating which is even worse.

5. FREEZER FULL OF PROCESSED FROZEN MEALS

On the opposite end of the spectrum from having no food in the house, sometimes your loved ones will stock up on heavily salted, unhealthy processed meals at the grocery store….and that’s all they eat!  Most frozen meals from the grocery store are loaded with preservatives and don’t comply with any specific dietary concerns your loved one has, which can be problematic and make their health suffer.

WHAT YOU CAN DO TO HELP

STOCK UP AT THE GROCERY STORE

Take the initiative to ensure that their cupboards are fully stocked with nutritious food options. You can’t force them to eat, but you can certainly do your part to make sure there is food available for when they want or need to eat.

PREPARE MEALS FOR THEM

If you’re able to commit the time and are familiar with their dietary restrictions, you can go the extra mile and prepare meals for your loved one. Some seniors are unwilling or unable to cook their own meals, so having someone do that part for them can make a world of difference.

HIRE A MEAL SERVICE

Not everyone has the ability to prepare meals for their loved one on their own, and that’s okay. You have a lot going on in your life. Fortunately, there is an alternative. Hiring a meal delivery service like Chefs For Seniors to provide customized meals can give you peace of mind that your loved one’s nutritional needs are being met.

Check out these video testimonials from some of our clients:

Loss of teeth is sometimes a symptom of aging, but just because you need softer foods doesn’t mean your nutrition should suffer.  The following 10 foods are nutrient dense while also being easy to chew for seniors without teeth.

1. SCRAMBLED EGGS

Eggs are the most complete protein source out there and are also full of healthy fats.  Soft scrambled eggs are easy to make and chew.  For an added flavor boost, add a spoonful of cottage cheese or light sour cream to the eggs before scrambling.

2. MASHED POTATOES

If you leave the skins (which provide additional fiber) on, cut back on the butter, and use milk instead of heavy cream, mashed potatoes are actually a pretty healthy side dish.

3. WELL-COOKED STEAM VEGETABLES

Raw vegetables can be challenging for seniors without teeth.  When cooking vegetables, try using a steamer instead of boiling them.  Steaming helps retain the vegetable’s nutrients, as opposed to boiling that leaves most of the vitamins in the cooking water.

4. SMOOTHIES

Smoothies are a great way to boost your diet, plus there’s no chewing required.  Blend up your favorite fresh (or frozen) fruits, plain Greek yogurt, milk (can also use dairy-free milk), and any additional supplements (chia seeds, flax meal, acai powder, etc.).  You can even add fresh spinach for a superfood boost – we promise you won’t even taste it!

5. FLAKY FISH

Flakier fish is easier to chew than meatier varieties.  Opt for cod, salmon, or orange roughy instead of swordfish, mahi-mahi, or tuna.  Eating fish at least weekly is a great way to get omega-3’s and protein.  Baked or grilled fish is always much healthier than fried.

6. YOGURT

For seniors who aren’t lactose intolerant, yogurt is a great source of calcium and protein.  Plus, it has probiotics that promote healthy gut bacteria.  Choose whole-milk yogurt instead of fat-free, which is usually loaded with sugar and other artificial ingredients.

7. SOUP

Most soups, especially pureed ones, are pretty nutritious and easy to eat for seniors without teeth.  There are 100’s of soups to choose from, some of our favorites include potato-leek, tomato-basil, and minestrone.

8. OATMEAL

Old-fashioned oats are actually one of the healthiest breakfast foods you can find, in addition to being easy to chew.  Try to avoid adding a heaping spoonful of brown sugar, instead opting for honey or soft fresh fruit.

9. SLOW-COOKED MEAT

Meats cooked over high heat are probably the most difficult foods for seniors to chew.  In contrast, slow-cooked meats like pulled pork or beef stew are much better options for seniors that have difficulty chewing.

10. BEANS

Beans are a healthy source of fiber and protein, and when you cook them long enough, they become completely soft. There are plenty of recipes available that include beans, such as refried beans, black bean soup, and baked beans.

If you’re a senior that’s struggling to plan and prepare soft-food diet meals, or a concerned loved one, click below to request more information on Chefs For Seniors customized meal preparation services.