In a 2017 Boston University Public Health Post, it’s said that current U.S. estimates put the rate of malnutrition risk in the elderly at around 50 percent. This means about 1 out of 2 older Americans are at risk of not getting enough of protein, nutrients, and/or calories.
There are two reasons older Americans become malnourished. One is the difficulty securing the right foods on a limited income. The other is that it can be hard to cook a meal for one or two people when joint pain, vision, and reaction times are all changing. There are ways to work out ways to boost nutritional intake.
Turn Healthy Foods Into Fun Meals
There are ways to make healthier items into dishes your parents would love. If they enjoy lasagna, you could switch out the pasta noodles for thin slices of eggplant and zucchini. If your dad loves ice cream, make healthier versions by grating frozen bananas and other fruit and then mixing them until smooth.
Instead of rice pilaf, make steam quinoa or barley per package directions. Mix with an egg, fresh herbs, and low-fat cheddar. Shape into patties and brown in a frying pan using olive oil cooking spray.
Eat Snacks Rather Than Heavy Meals
Instead of eating heavy meals, break it up into lighter snacks evenly spaced throughout the day. Start with something like fresh fruit with coffee, two hours later have a boiled egg on whole-grain toast, two hours after that have a garden salad, etc.
Blood sugar levels remain stable throughout the day. Your parent will also be less likely to binge on just food when hunger sets in.
Talk to Their Doctor
Generally, multivitamins are not recommended as a percentage of the nutrients get lost during digestion. Talk to their doctor to see if a vitamin would be worthwhile. The doctor may feel the vitamins and minerals that are absorbed is better than nothing. Nutritional shakes may be suggested as an alternative.
Have Someone Else Do the Cooking
Home care services cover many aspects of daily living. Meal preparation and shopping are key if you want to improve your parents’ diets. Arrange to have a caregiver take them shopping and prepare meals in their home. If needed, the caregiver can even stay for the meal so that your parents never eat alone.
https://www.publichealthpost.org/viewpoints/malnutrition-in-older-adults/
If You Or An Aging Loved One Are Considering Hiring Homecare in South Pasadena, FL, Please Contact The Caring Staff At Assisting Hands Home Care Today! 727-748-4211.
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Becky Moultrie is Owner and Administrator of Assisting Hands Home Care Serving Pinellas. Guided by a motto to Do Good with Love, she’s well positioned to do just that at Assisting Hands. She has a passion for helping families keep seniors and those who are diabled happy and healthy at home. She serves on a number of boards in Pinellas County including the Pinellas Park Gateway Chamber and Better Living Seniors (BLS), leading the Membership Committee. Annually, she hosts a Silver Santa Party, collecting donations for nearly 100 low income seniors in the county. She attends Blessed Sacrament Church, Seminole where she is an Ascribed Member of the Rosminian Order. When not busy Doing Good in the community, Becky is at home with her husband David & their 4 children, tending to their beehives and digging in the garden.
