Convenient, Nutritious Foods for Seniors

Many seniors have difficulty eating enough, due to changing senses of taste and smell as they age, side effects of medications reducing hunger, difficulty chewing or swallowing, or any other number of reasons. One thing caregivers can do to combat malnutrition and make sure your loved one is eating enough is to keep plenty of small, nutritious, ready to eat snacks on hand.

• Cottage cheese: Pick the full-fat version to maximize the amount of calories this snack provides. Cottage cheese is an excellent source of protein and calcium, with a consistency that’s very easy to chew and swallow, making it ideal for seniors.
• Canned fruit: Either in an actual can or a plastic cup, canned fruit is just as good for you as fresh fruit, high in fiber and vitamins. For seniors with diabetes, consider fruits packed either in their own juice, or sugar-free syrup as opposed to light or heavy syrup. It can also be mixed with cottage cheese to add more flavor.
• Yogurt: Available in almost countless varieties and flavors, yogurt is an excellent source of calcium and vitamin D, important for bone health. And the strained varieties, like greek yogurt or the Icelandic skyr, are very high in protein.
• Unsalted nuts: Either roasted or raw, depending on your senior’s preference, nuts are high in healthy fats that lower the bad cholesterol in the bloodstream.
• Oatmeal: This super healthy whole grain is widely available in packets that take only minutes to prepare. The consistency is very easy to eat, and the high fiber content helps greatly with digestion.