Healthy eating is extremely important for a senior’s health and wellbeing. Seniors experience a multitude of barriers to healthy eating. Changes in taste, smell, appetite and digestive health can all contribute to how much a senior is interested in eating. Loneliness, depression, forgetfulness and grief also can affect a senior’s appetite and intake. Supporting seniors with nutritionally dense food and meal companionship can make a big difference in their overall health. The recipes below are easy to prepare and are full of nutritional goodness.
Simple, Healthy Breakfast Options
- Top a small bowl of hot oatmeal with banana slices, walnuts and a dollop of Greek yogurt.
- Top a half-cup of Greek yogurt with fresh berries, nuts and a drizzle of honey.
- Chocolate Peanut-Butter Milkshake – Mix 1 cup whole milk with ¼ cup peanut butter and ½ cup chocolate ice cream. Blend and top with crushed peanut butter cups, if desired.
Make Ahead Meals
These meals are easy to make and leave leftovers that store and warm up well, so a senior can eat well all week long without much effort. Consider freezing a portion or two to warm up easily in the future.
Easy Spinach Quiche
Mix in a large bowl: ½ cup mayonnaise, ½ cup milk, 4 eggs, 8 oz shredded cheese, 4 cups fresh spinach, ½ teaspoon kosher salt, ¼ teaspoon pepper. Pour into a deep dish pie crust and cover with foil. Bake at 400 degrees for 50 minutes. Remove foil and bake 10 more minutes.
Sunday Senior Italian Soup
This is a great soup to make on Sunday. Full of warmth and nutrition, it makes a great lunch all week long with a half sandwich on the side.
- 1 small onion, diced
- 1 pound lean ground beef, turkey or Italian sausage
- 1 box (32 oz) low-sodium chicken or vegetable broth
- 1 can (15 oz) white beans
- 1 can (10oz) crushed or diced tomatoes
- 1-3 cups fresh or frozen spinach
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
Directions:
- Break apart and brown meat over medium heat in a large soup pot or crock pot.
- Add onion and cooked until soft, about 5 minutes.
- Add the rest of the ingredients to the pot.
- Reduce heat to low and simmer for about 30 minutes.
- Season with salt and pepper, if desired.
Serve soup with whole grain bread or add cooked pasta into the soup before serving. Puree soup for a smoother texture, if desired.
Home Care Services can Help with Meal Preparations
Older adults sometimes have challenges getting to the grocery store, or preparing healthy meals. Home care services are available to help out with these types of tasks. An aide can take a senior to the grocery store – or just take their list, if the senior prefers. The aide can prepare meals when it’s time to eat, or they can prepare them ahead of time for the senior to warm up when ready.
Home Care Services can Help with Companionship
Some seniors prefer the companionship of an aide at mealtime. The social aspect can make a big difference in the amount of food they ultimately eat. Home care services is designed to be customized to each individual senior’s needs and preferences. A quick call to our home care services agency can determine how they can best support your loved one’s specific needs.
Source: https://chefsforseniors.com/blog/7-quick-easy-recipes-for-seniors
If you or an aging loved one are considering Home Care Services in Cambridge MA, or anywhere in Eastern Massachusetts, please call the caring staff at CARE Resolutions – (508) 906-5572.
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