Healthy Meal Planning Tips for Seniors

Senior Care Bergen and Passaic

As people age, maintaining a healthy diet becomes challenging since changes occur in appetite, tastes, and food preferences. Flavors that were once perceived likable, no longer taste good due to the explicit changes in smell and taste, causing the seniors to eat high-calorie prepared dinners or even worse - not eating at all. It is important to get your loved one to eat a healthy and well-balanced diet, however this process isn't as easy as it seems. Given below are some tips that can help ensure that your senior loved one eats properly, and stays fit & healthy:

• Plan together:

Take out time for planning your senior loved one’s meals with them ahead of time - usually one week in advance. You can consider preparing grocery lists, going for grocery shopping with them, and also keeping them involved in meal preparation.

• Cook Smart:

Another great way of engaging your older adult is by cooking meals together and ensuring that the senior's plate looks like a rainbow. You can consider including numerous bright colored foods in their diet, the ones that provide them with all the essential nutrients they require. Also, if you are thinking of purchasing packaged foods, opt for the ones that are low in sodium, fats, and sugar.

• Keep snacks handy:

One of the best ways of having tasty yet healthy food is keeping fresh fruits and vegetables prepared at all times. Keep the fruits out and in a location that's easy to reach such as a kitchen table top, keep quick preparation foods such as meat handy since these are easy to prepare and contain high nutritional values.

• Consider health supplements:

Sometimes, fruits and vegetables aren't enough to provide your body the nutrients it needs, thereby you should consider giving your loved one some essential health supplements like vitamins and minerals for ensuring their overall well-being.

Some seniors prefer to manage their meals themselves; the others consider taking the help of their family members or caregivers. If you feel that your loved one isn’t able to care for themselves, reach out to Always Best Care for the best senior care services in Contra Costa County. Their caregivers are thoroughly screened, bonded, and trained for providing the safest and highest level of care to the elderly. Call @ (925) 210-0323 to learn more.