Our senior citizens deserve all the love and care from us. One of the ways we care for the elders in our lives is by making sure they eat healthily.
Assisting Hands home care explains there are many different reasons why your senior loved one has a hard time eating well and maintaining a healthy weight.
It could be due to the time factor in preparing healthy meals or the expense especially when on a limited income. Likewise, it could be a vision problem, arthritis or other health conditions making it hard for the elderly to stand at the kitchen counter for an extended period.
An elderly person could also be having a poor appetite or digestive problems. They could be having a hard time chewing because of dentures.
Maintaining a healthy weight is one of the most challenging things when it comes to taking care of an aging loved one. The sense of taste and smell weaken with age, and this can result in a change in appetite and preferences.
Many caregivers will notice their loved ones are no longer interested in food and they might not look forward to eating their dinner each night. Proper nutrition is a must for good health, and mealtimes always play a significant social role in the lives of senior citizens.
Encouraging your aging loved ones to take part and enjoy eating will boil down to three basic rules and a couple of quality ingredients.
Whatever the reason is, eating foods with low nutritional value or skipping meals altogether can put your loved one at risk for malnutrition. Some common signs of malnutrition in seniors include sleep changes, low energy and mood, bruising, frequent infections, dry skin, muscle pain and confusion.
The good thing is there are several things you can do to help your loved one eat healthier food and maintain a healthy weight. Below are some great suggestions that will go a long way:
Choose Foods High in Proteins
Foods rich in protein can help in maintaining more muscle mass, keep energy levels up and boosting the immune system. This is the best type of food to get started with.
Bean: Black, kidney, white, and garbanzo beans can be added to stews, soups or they can eat it mashed as a bean dip or hummus.
Eggs: They are rich in proteins and can be easily prepared by frying, scrambling or boiling. Eggs don’t need much chewing.
Nut butter: You should try peanut, cashew, or almond butter on toast, oatmeal, or fruit or blending them into smoothies.
Yogurt: There certain types of yogurt such as Greek-style that are a great source of protein.
What are some High-Calorie Foods that Can Help with Weight Gain in Elderly People?
Foods high in calories and fats can help your loved one in gaining weight. However, it is important to choose healthier fats because you don’t want to put them at risk of developing conditions such as diabetes, high cholesterol, or any other potential problem. Some good examples of healthy fats include;
Avocados: Mash avocados with cilantro, garlic, and lime to make guacamole; slice them then use them to make a sandwich; use them to make fruit smoothies. They are easy to eat and also rich in good fat.
Coconut: You should add coconut milk to your soups, baking recipes, and cereal; use coconut oil when stir-frying; or you can try making coconut rice – which you can pair with chicken, fish, tropical fruits, or fresh veggies.
Full-fat dairy products: During their younger years, most seniors would always go with the low-fat option, but at this point, they need to get the nutritional value of full-fat milk, cheese and yogurt.
Olive oil: Use it for cooking, dressing or you can also add to your recipes when baking to give a healthy dose of fat.
Potatoes and whole-grain starches: These can be easily prepared and made into easily chewed food, and they can also be dressed up using different sauces, spices, and will help with weight gain.
Looking to Stick to a Soft-Food Diet?
There are also some seniors who have been advised to eat pureed foods, and this makes it harder for them to get adequate nutrition. However, there are many foods they can enjoy when you put them in the food processor or blender. Some examples are:
- Hummus, guacamole, and other dips
- Pumpkin (smoothies, mousse)
- Mashed potatoes
- Smoothies (yogurt, fruit, avocados, nut butter, greens, milk)
- Baked sweet potatoes or roasted cauliflower
- Soups
Catering for Elders with Convenience Needs and Smaller Appetites
If you notice your senior fills up easily, consider spreading their meals and snacks. Allow them to eat five or six times a day instead of three.
It would help if you also consider making them types of food easily stored in the fridge or reheated and eaten right away.
Besides ensuring they eat healthily, there are other ways we can guarantee the senior citizens in our lives enjoy their golden years.
