Did You Know Eating a Variety of Fruits and Vegetables should be part of your Daily Diet to ensure you are taking in the right amounts of micronutrients and essential vitamins?
Elder Care near Monroe, NJ – The Changing Face of Nutrition
A person’s nutritional needs changes throughout the different stages of life. Even though the calorie requirements decrease as a person gets on in years, the need for micronutrients and essential minerals does not decrease. For adults over 50 years old, the amount of calcium and vitamin D may actually increase. Add to that the condition that occurs when older adults can’t digest and metabolize their food as efficiently, and it equals the necessity of older adults to have a stellar nutritional intake.
Strategies for increasing your loved one’s nutritional quality
- Pay close attention to every food choice. Which is the most nutritious cereal? Which are the most brightly colored vegetables?
- The key is in variety. Each food contains a different offering of vitamins and minerals, so having a lot of variety increases the chances of getting all the different vitamins and minerals. For example, broccoli is very healthy. But instead of having broccoli every day, switch with other similar vegetables. Have broccoli one day, then cabbage, then Brussels sprouts, then spinach and so on until you come back to broccoli again.
- Trade out pre-packaged snack foods like pretzels, chips and cookies for real food like fresh grapes, celery sticks or Swiss cheese.
- Eat healthier foods right along with your aging parent. If they are the only ones making these dietary changes they will probably put up some resistance. If the entire family is joining in on healthier eating, it’s more likely all will get involved.
Top Healthy Fruits
There is always some type of promotion going on for eating more vegetables, but sometimes fruit is left behind. Fruit is a really good choice for seniors; there is little to no preparation or cooking involved for eating a piece of fresh fruit. Canned fruit that has fruit juice instead of syrup is also a healthy choice. Here is a list of some healthy fruits to choose from.
- Apples – the vitamins lie just under the skin, so eat them with the skin on if possible.
- Avocado – they contain healthy fats that help to lower cholesterol levels.
- Banana – they contain more potassium than most other foods.
- Blackberry – their deep purple color contains powerful antioxidants. The ancient Greeks used them to treat gout symptoms.
- Blueberry – they freeze very well so you can eat them all year. They may lower risks of developing Parkinson’s disease.
- Cantaloupe – contains rich amounts of beta-carotene. They should be washed before cutting.
- Cherry – sour cherries are rich in antioxidants which may reduce inflammation.
- Cranberry – these antibacterial berries help treat and prevent urinary tract infections.
- Figs – these are high in fiber and may help lower risks of developing heart disease.
- Goji berry – they contain 6 vitamins and 21 minerals which make them a nutrition powerhouse.
When your senior parent finds it difficult to bathe and get dressed or other home tasks like preparing meals and grocery shopping, consider hiring home care for the elderly. A caregiver can provide your parent with the assistance they need.
If you or an aging loved one are considering hiring elderly care services near Monroe NJ, or the surrounding areas. Please call Independence Home Care today at (609) 642-4085 for more information .
