Does your elderly loved one get the munchies? It's necessary for seniors to be mindful of their snacking habits, and to choose wisely when reaching for a quick pick-me-up. Let's look at the upside of healthy snacking for seniors, the tips they need to keep in mind when snacking, and some easy, healthy snack suggestions to help them satisfy in-between-meals cravings without compromising their health.
Three Benefits of Healthy Snacking for Seniors
We often snack on high-sugar and high-fat foods, which can do more harm than good. Fortunately, the benefits of healthy snacking are vast, especially for seniors.
- Elevated Energy Levels: Eating healthy snacks can help keep energy levels up throughout the day. Healthy snacks provide essential nutrients that keep seniors energized, and let's face it: They can boost mood, which makes it more likely seniors will feel better and be more active.
- Improved Cognitive Function: Eating healthy snacks can help improve cognitive function. Snacks that are rich in nutrients help enhance memory, focus, as well as concentration.
- Improved Physical Health: Healthy snacks also improve physical wellness and reduce the risk of chronic diseases. Choosing the right snacks can help reduce inflammation, and the nutrients they provide can improve the immune system and keep the body functioning at its best.
Five Tips for Healthy Snacking
Here's how to make the most of snacks:
- Avoid empty calories: When snacking, opt for nutrient-dense foods packed with essential vitamins and minerals. These include nuts, seeds, fruits, and vegetables. (Read on for our list of favorites!)
- Avoid high-sugar and high-fat foods: Sugary foods cause blood sugar spikes, which can make seniors feel tired and sluggish. Try to avoid foods high in saturated fat, which can increase the risk of obesity as well as other chronic diseases.
- Eat smaller portions: Eating smaller portions can help seniors control their calorie intake. Seniors should listen to their bodies and stop eating when they feel full.
- Drink plenty of water: Staying hydrated is important, especially when snacking. Drinking plenty of water can help keep seniors feeling full and can help their bodies better absorb the nutrients from their snacks.
- Prepare snacks in advance: When seniors have plenty of healthy options on hand, they'll be less likely to reach for empty calories or unhealthy foods.
10 Easy, Healthy Snack Suggestions
Here are some easy, healthy snack suggestions to keep on hand:
- Apple slices with natural almond butter
- Celery sticks with hummus
- Whole-grain toast with avocado
- Yogurt with fresh berries
- Mixed nuts
- Trail mix
- Dark chocolate-covered almonds
- Carrot and celery sticks with tahini or hummus dip
- Air-popped popcorn
- Hard-boiled eggs
Need Help Preparing Healthy Snacks?
At Senior Helpers of Yardley, we understand the importance of healthy snacking for seniors. In fact, our many in-home care services include meal preparation and shopping, meaning seniors have more opportunities to make the right choices when their stomachs start rumbling.
If you or a loved one need in-home senior care services, please don't hesitate to contact us today.