It’s important for seniors to eat regular healthy meals to get all the nutrients and calories they need. Because it’s common for seniors to have reduced appetites due to age, health conditions, and medications, the food they eat needs to pack a nutritious punch. Try these lunch options to keep your aging loved one satisfied until dinnertime.
1. Chicken Salad
Protein is essential for maintaining muscle mass. Strong muscles help seniors lead healthy, active lifestyles and can prevent their bones from breaking in case of falls. One serving of boneless, skinless chicken breast has 38 grams of protein. Help your loved one get the protein he or she needs by making a batch of chicken salad that can easily be added to a sandwich or eaten with crackers.
2. Butternut Squash Soup
Butternut squash is a great source of vitamin A. One serving of the squash provides 100 percent of a senior’s daily vitamin A needs. Vitamin A is essential for good eye health, and getting plenty of this vitamin can prevent eye problems that often affect seniors, such as cataracts and age-related macular degeneration. Butternut squash soup is a great make-ahead meal your loved one can easily heat up throughout the week.
A professional caregiver can be a wonderful source of encouragement when your loved one is trying to practice healthier habits, including eating more nutritious foods. In-home care agencies can be a great boon to seniors. With the help of the caregivers at Heroes Home Care, your aging loved one can lead a happier and healthier life. We offer a revolutionary program called the Balanced Care Method, which encourages seniors to eat nutritious foods, exercise and socialize regularly, and focus on other lifestyle factors that increase life expectancy.
3. Yogurt Parfait
Seniors need to get enough calcium each day to prevent osteoporosis and fractures from falls. The National Osteoporosis Foundation recommends that men and women over the age of 50 consume 1,200 milligrams of calcium each day. One cup of yogurt contains 30 percent of the recommended daily amount of calcium. Combine yogurt with berries and granola for a simple lunch that will satisfy your loved one’s sweet tooth and strengthen his or her bones.
4. Scrambled Eggs
A 2012 study published in The Journal of Neuropsychiatry and Clinical Neurosciences found 40 percent of seniors over the age of 50 have vitamin B12 deficiencies. A lack of vitamin B12 is linked to cognitive, neurological, and mood problems. Prevent this deficiency in your loved one with a simple lunch of scrambled eggs. Add spinach and cheese to the eggs for an iron and calcium boost.
A professional caregiver can be a terrific source of support for a senior who needs a hand with planning and preparing nutritious meals. If your aging loved one needs help managing everyday tasks or encouragement to adopt healthier lifestyle choices, turn to Heroes Home Care, a leading provider of homecare services. Amarillo Heroes Home Care provides professional in-home caregivers around the clock to help seniors live longer, happier, and healthier lives.
5. Burrito Bowl
Eating plenty of fiber is a great way for seniors to manage their weight and prevent blood sugar spikes. Fiber slows down the digestive process, keeping blood sugar from spiking and keeping your loved one fuller for longer. A simple burrito bowl made with brown rice or quinoa, black beans, and avocado is a great way to increase your loved one’s fiber intake.
6. Homemade Tomato Soup & Grilled Cheese
Keep your loved one’s heart healthy with a batch of homemade tomato soup. Canned tomatoes are high in lycopene, a carotenoid that acts as a powerful antioxidant and protects the heart. Use canned tomatoes to make a batch of tomato soup and serve it alongside a low-fat grilled cheese sandwich to keep your parent’s heart healthy and strong.
Families who need help ensuring their loved ones get proper nutrition can benefit from the assistance of professional caregivers. Whether you need respite from your caregiving duties or your aging loved one needs 24-hour care, Amarillo, TX, Heroes Home Care can meet your family’s care needs. Our dedicated caregivers are available around the clock to provide transportation to doctor’s appointments, ensure seniors take their prescribed medications, and help with a variety of tasks in and outside the home. Call one of our dedicated Care Managers today at (806) 803-9991 to learn about the high quality of our in-home care services.