When it comes to proper nutrition for seniors and caregivers, it is important to remember to stay properly hydrated. We often discount the importance of including enough water into our diet. Not only is a hydrated body better at absorbing nutrients from food, water helps in regulating body temperature, digestion and circulation.Try to have a beverage with every snack or meal to avoid possible dehydration. It can be in the form of soup, milk, juice, or water. Eating more fruits and vegetables are an easy way to incorporate more liquids into the diet. Keep a bottle of water with you and encourage your senior loved one to keep one nearby as well.
It should come as no surprise that the better we care for our bodies with proper nutrition and adequate exercise, the better we will feel in the long run. A healthy start to each day with a balanced breakfast is the fuel to keep us going through the afternoon. A nutritious lunch and dinner to round out the day will keep us properly energized and keep us healthy overall.
The key to proper nutrition for seniors is to keep meals balanced, to eat smaller meals more frequently to keep the metabolism going, and to remember to drink lots of water to stay hydrated. Being healthy doesn’t mean deprivation of the things we love to eat; it simply means to keep things balanced. Have some cake if you want it, just be sure to balance it with a lower calorie meal or some fruit later on.
It is always better to get nutrients through food than with supplements whenever possible. Proper nutrition for seniors and caregivers includes adding more whole grains, reducing amounts of saturated fats, and limiting the number of processed foods consumed. Lowering salt intake is also very helpful in reducing the risk of high blood pressure. Substitute spices and lemon juice, when possible, to avoid adding salt to foods. Avoid empty calories like chips and candy, and always aim for the more nutritious option. Grab a crunchy apple or some celery sticks with peanut butter to satisfy the urge for potato chips. Popcorn is also a tasty substitution for saltier cravings. Low fat mozzarella sticks, yogurt and nuts are great snacking options that provide nutrients; making the choice satisfying and healthy.
Fiber is a very important element to proper nutrition for seniors and caregivers. Whenever possible, choose a food option with fiber to help with digestion. Adequate amounts of fiber can prevent intestinal problems like constipation. Eat cooked beans, green vegetables like peas, and find cereals with whole grains to start your morning right.
If you would like to learn more caring assisted living at home, along with the many benefits of professional in-home elderly care or dementia and Alzheimer’s care, call Senior Helpers of Chattanooga to speak to a senior care specialist today! The compassionate senior care specialists at Senior Helpers can also guide you through the process of receiving the Veterans Administration Aid and Attendance Benefit if your elderly loved one is a veteran. In home senior care allows your loved one to stay in the comforts of their own home for as long as possible while receiving the level of care they need.
Senior Helpers of Chattanooga provides a wide range of services including Alzheimer’s and dementia care, personal assistance, companionship, and so much more to all areas of Chattanooga, Hixson, Cleveland, Ooltewah, Signal Mountain.