Proper nutrition is important at every stage of life, but perhaps even more so for seniors as their nutritional needs change. A well-balanced diet is critical for their good health, vitality, and overall well-being. Many of the health issues seniors suffer from, such as dementia, Alzheimer’s, and diabetes, can be improved with proper daily nutrition. As a family caregiver, you may find it challenging to do regular proactive meal planning for seniors. However, meal planning can take away much of the stress of making a variety of meals every day that are healthy and nutritious. It will save you time and money and give your loved ones added variety that keeps them interested in eating.
Here are some helpful tips to help you with healthy meal planning for your aging-in-place seniors.
Plan ahead
Try planning at least 3 to 4 days in advance to avoid getting stumped for ideas and repeating recipes. This will help you consider any underlying medical conditions your senior may have or any medications they’re taking.
Include essential nutrients
As your loved one ages, their daily nutritional needs change, making some nutrients more essential than others. These include:
- Calcium and potassium
- Vitamin D and Vitamin B12
- Fiber
- Protein
- Healthy Fats
Make including these a priority to help keep your loved one healthy and their stomach feeling full.
Make a healthy breakfast
Seniors need a breakfast packed with the proper nutrients to give them the energy they need to be their best during the upcoming day. A good breakfast also helps regulate their metabolism and jumpstart their appetite for the rest of the day.
Prepare a light lunch
After eating a hearty breakfast, many seniors prefer to have a lighter meal for lunch. When planning lunches, avoid the highly-process foods frequently used for lunches (like packaged cold meats and frozen meals), and opt instead for a healthier variety of foods. Try a grilled salmon salad or make a sandwich out of it, or try a baked honey turkey breast with potatoes. Salads always make good lunches but avoid high-fat and high-sodium dressings.
Keep healthy snacks handy
Seniors love snacks, and they can come in handy during a busy day or after getting some exercise. Have pre-packed or ready-to-eat snacks available for your loved one to munch on when hunger strikes.
Buy or put together baggies of pre-cut veggies and pair them with a tasty dip or fresh fruits, like apples. You can also make a healthy smoothie or shake it with blended fruits and vegetables.
Plan a variety of dinners
One of the most important things you can do when planning meals for your aging in place senior is to keep every meal during the week diverse. If you’ve already served your loved one lean slices of meat during lunch, mix things up by choosing healthy seafood instead, like shrimp, tuna, or mackerel.
Include a tasty side of steamed veggies, stir-fried eggplant, or long-grain rice. Preserve each food’s nutrient content by baking, broiling, grilling, or poaching.
If you are seeking care for yourself or a loved one living in Bedford, Winchester, Concord Massachusetts, or throughout the Northwest Boston area Assisting Hands Home Care to help your loved one with meal preparation. Our caregivers do everything from grocery shopping to meal preparation, always meeting any special dietary needs. They’ll also provide eating assistance if needed and will clean up afterward. Whatever your loved one’s nutritional needs are, we’ll tailor our services to meet them.
Call us today at (781) 355-6836 or schedule your free consultation by submitting this short form. We’ll be happy to provide you with a personalized assessment and care plan.
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