Four Crucial Tips for Helping Your Senior Make Healthy Food Choices
Choosing healthier food options isn’t always easy to do. Sometimes your senior may be opting for convenience, while other times she may be leaning more toward flavors that she likes. But if she wants to do things like continue to age in place and keep chronic health issues in check, it’s really important that her body has the nutrients it needs. That means looking more closely at what she’s eating now and how you can make a healthy swap.
Look at Calorie Content vs. Nutritional Content
Meals and snacks that are high in calories but low in nutritional value don’t do a lot for your senior. In fact, they may be causing her harm. It’s much better for her to have a greater amount of lower calorie foods that boost her nutrient intake. So, instead of chips and snack cakes that are easy to store in the pantry, sliced apples, celery, and carrots are much better choices.
Reduce Added Sugar Intake
Foods with added sugar are not a great idea for your senior, either. The biggest reason is that the added sugar is usually replacing nutrients, which is something that you want to avoid. Instead of fruit-filled pastries, opt for whole, fresh fruits. Even canned and frozen fruits, without added sugar, are a much better choice.
Switch from Saturated Fats to Healthier Oils
Saturated fats tend to be fats that are solid at room temperature. The human body needs healthy fats, like olive oil or avocado oil, but saturated fats can cause health problems in large amounts. Switching from those saturated options to healthier versions ensures that your senior gets the nutrients that she needs and isn’t giving up flavor to do it.
Opt for Water as Often as Possible
Beverages are a big trouble spot for most people. You might think that a glass of juice is healthy, but there’s usually an awful lot of sugar in even a tiny glass. It’s much better for your senior to opt for the whole fruit, which also has fiber, and to drink water. Water keeps her hydrated and gives her body a lot more than other choices, especially if those choices are full of chemicals that can do harm.
Dietary adjustments are not easy for anyone, especially your elderly family member. Bringing in a caregiver to help with meal planning and grocery shopping might be exactly the help that she needs to make some of these bigger changes.
If you or an aging loved-one is considering Home Care Services in Forsyth GA please contact the caring staff at Angels of Mercy Private Homecare Services, Inc. today at 478-745-5111.
Angels of Mercy Private Homecare has been providing in-home care services since 2002 throughout the Macon and Middle Georgia Area.
Angels of Mercy Private Homecare Services provides in-home care that improves the lives of the clients. Our services help them maintain the highest possible level of independent living. We provide In-home private duty care and care management services for seniors throughout the Middle Georgia area.
Our CNA (certified nursing aides), caregiver, and companion services allow our clients to age in the place where they feel most comfortable and secure - at home. Combine our Home Care Services, with our Geriatric Care Management component, and we provide the most comprehensive assistance for the Middle Georgia areas seniors.
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