Healthy Eating Habits for Seniors
Healthy eating is crucial at any stage of life. It helps you maintain weight, promote well-being, increase energy, and prevent chronic diseases as well as muscle and bone loss. We are constantly enticed to eat less than ideal diets, which makes it hard on one’s willpower and eventually our health. Aging adults face more challenges than any other age group. Some causes include changes in appetite, decreased sense of taste, difficulty getting to the store, and boredom from eating alone. Just because your mom needs less food doesn’t mean her meals should skimp on nutrients. Getting her to eat a healthy diet is less complicated than you may think when you rely on the help of a professional senior caregiver. They can cook the nutritious foods your mom needs to stay healthy.
6 Ways to Encourage Healthy Eating Habits for Your Senior
Getting your loved one to eat better may be a challenge, but it is entirely doable. Here are some tips to help your senior eat healthier:
- Go for Variety: Look for vegetables and fruits your senior enjoys. Remember to add in whole grain foods and proteins, too. Cook with new spices and herbs to add flavour without increasing salt.
- Make Drinking Water Fun: Sometimes, water gets boring, but you know your dad needs to consume more. Find new ways for him to get his hydration, for example, through lower-fat white milk, low-sodium soups, coconut water, and fruit juices (in moderation).
- Avoid Empty Calories: Mom may love her soda. Sugary drinks are sugar, water, and not much else. They may taste good, but they do little to support a healthy lifestyle.
- Help Make a Meal Plan: Shopping and cooking for one or two people tends to get boring. You can help Mom and Dad by assisting them in planning meals and snacks. You can come up with ideas that will inspire them to try new dishes, and it will save them money while they are eating better.
- Consider Freezer Cooking: If your mother is used to cooking for four and struggles to cook for one, encourage her not to change. Instead, she can make her favourite meals in the same quantities she is used to and freeze the extras. She will have a quick meal later when she doesn’t want to cook, and she can control the ingredients.
- Stay Active: Physical exercise helps keep the body healthy and increases your appetite. Encourage your senior to take a daily walk or do other activities to help them feel hungry. Then they can enjoy their healthy meal with more enthusiasm.
Healthy Habits Lead tao a Happier Life
Healthy eating is paramount as we age. Ensure your senior gets all the help possible to consume a more nutritious diet by hiring a well-trained caregiver from Home Instead Ottawa. Our team strives to ensure your loved one gets the nutrition they need. Our tailored services can also make sure they are not lonely , have some help with light housekeeping, and more. What more could you ask for to give your parent what they need to thrive? Contact us today to learn more.
Call us at (613) 599-6906 to schedule a no-obligation, in-home consultation. Learn more about the compassionate, quality senior care we deliver, every day, to families in Ottawa, Kanata, Nepean, Orleans, Rockliffe, Alta Vista, New Edinburgh, Manor Park, Stittsville, Barrhaven, Manotick, Sandy Hill, Hunt Club, Vanier, Richmond, Carleton Place, Gloucester, Kemptville.