As the Jewish holiday of Passover approaches, it's important to remember that the meal is more than just a celebration. It's a time for strong family traditions and healthy eating. Passover recipes for seniors can be difficult to navigate due to dietary restrictions, but with a few adjustments, you can still enjoy all the delicious flavors of traditional Passover meals. We've put together a list of our favorite heart-healthy Passover recipes and some substitutes that are still healthful and delicious. All of these recipes come with the approval of the in-home senior care experts at Senior Helpers The Villages.
3 Traditional Passover Recipes That Are Heart-Healthy
Some of the most traditional Passover recipes can be made even more heart-healthy with a few changes.
Matzah Ball Soup
This classic dish is rich, savory, and comforting. To keep it heart-healthy, skip the rich homemade chicken stock and opt for a low-sodium broth. Substitute egg whites for whole eggs and reduce the amount of oil used to fry the matzah balls.
Kale and Beet Salad
This fresh and flavorful salad is packed with vitamins and minerals. It's already quite nutritious, but you can make it more so by using low-sodium canned beets. Also, substitute Greek yogurt for the mayonnaise.
Haroset
This traditional dish combines the sweetness of apples and honey with the tartness of lemons and raisins. To make it more heart-healthy, use only unsweetened applesauce and reduce the amount of honey and sugar.
3 Modified Passover Recipes That Are Healthy
Make more modifications to these dishes to make them Passover and heart-ready.
Sweet Potato Kugel
This delicious dish is rich in vitamins and minerals and a great substitute for traditional kugel. To keep it healthy, use only low-fat dairy products, reduce the amount of oil used, and substitute unsweetened applesauce for the sugar.
Carrot-Ginger Latkes
Latkes are a Passover favorite. This version is full of flavor but light on the calories. To keep it heart-healthy, substitute non-dairy milk for the cream, skip the egg yolks, and reduce the amount of oil used.
Homemade Vegetarian Chopped Liver
Substitute kidney beans for the liver. Use non-dairy milk for the cream. Add only a small amount of oil.
Tips for Making Substitutions to Your Passover Dishes
No matter which Passover dishes you're hoping to make, keep some overall substitution tips in mind to help make your entire meal advantageous for your heart health.
- Substitute olive oil for butter or margarine when cooking.
- Use low-fat dairy products in place of whole milk or cream.
- Use non-dairy milk in place of dairy milk. (Low-fat almond milk is a good alternative.)
- When baking, use unsweetened applesauce instead of sugar.
- Replace egg yolks with egg whites.
- Use melted coconut oil instead of butter or vegetable oil.
- Use half whole wheat flour and half white flour for a heartier and healthier baked good.
Connect With Senior Helpers The Villages
This Passover, try out some heart-healthy recipes that will nourish your body without sacrificing flavor. With a few simple substitutions, you can enjoy the traditional flavors of Passover while ensuring that you are getting the nutrients your senior body needs. For more tips and advice on how to keep yourself healthy, contact the experienced in-home senior care professionals at Senior Helpers The Villages. Serving The Villages, Eustis, Belleview, Ocala, Lady Lake, Clermont, Mt. Dora, Fruitland Park, Tavares, and Leesburg, Senior Helpers The Villages is dedicated to improving the quality of life for seniors.