September is Whole Grains Month. This is a fantastic chance for you to evaluate your senior’s diet, and find ways you can integrate more of these delicious and satisfying grains into their regular menus. Whole grains can offer a wide variety of benefits to your senior’s health. A tremendous source of fiber, whole grains to give your parent the broad array of benefits associated with fiber, including feeling full longer, better digestion, better control of cholesterol, lowered blood pressure, heart health, and more. Whole grains have also been shown to help with fat distribution and weight loss goals when compared to refined versions of grains. Making changes to a diet can be intimidating, particularly for an older adult who may be accustomed to what they eat. Fortunately, there are simple and accessible ways to introduce more whole grains into your seniors diet that will give them the health benefits without making them sacrifice the foods they love.

Some tasty ways you can introduce more whole grains into your seniors diet include:

• Swap your pasta. Rather than using white pasta, choose a whole grain version. The flavor is nutty and rich, and the texture is more satisfying.
• Make your toast the focus. A couple of slices of white toast often appear alongside breakfast items, but they don’t offer much. Instead, make toast the focus of the morning meal by choosing a whole grain version, such as a seedy bread. These are heavier and more robust, and provide a much fuller flavor. They are great for topping with avocado for a combination of healthy fats, protein, and carbs.
• Try brown rice. Because it takes longer to cook, brown rice often gets a bad reputation. This choice, however, brings in far more fiber and other nutrients. It also has a nutty flavor that is extremely appealing with many foods.
• Start the day with oatmeal. One of the most accessible ways to increase whole grain is simply by encouraging your parent to start their day with a bowl of oatmeal. Fast, easy, and customizable, oatmeal provides a wide assortment of nutrients in a crowd-pleasing form. You can even put oatmeal, dairy or plant milk, nuts, fruits, and other enhancements in a jar, place it in the refrigerator overnight, and enjoy a simple breakfast in the morning.

If you are concerned about your parent’s nutrition, or feel they are not eating well enough, starting home care for them can be an important step toward them evaluating their diet and making meaningful changes toward better health. An in-home senior care services provider can help your parent understand the dietary guidelines they have been given by their doctor, and go to the grocery store with them to help the stock their kitchen with healthy food options. The care provider can also assist with meal preparation so they have access to satisfying, nourishing meals even if they are unable to prepare them themselves. As their family caregiver, this can take pressure off of you as you don’t have to worry about always preparing their meals or doing their shopping for them, which can open up your schedule and ease your stress.

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.