Breakfast is important regardless of age, but this meal is especially essential for seniors. Whether you are their main caregiver or not, you'll want them to enjoy healthy, nutrient-dense meals. Take a moment to learn about breakfast and eldercare here to ensure the senior in your life eats well. 

A Quick Guide to Breakfast for Seniors

What Are the Benefits of Eating Breakfast? 

Nutritious breakfast meals provide the body with fuel and energy for tackling the day. Healthy breakfast fare prevents blood sugar imbalances, resulting in poor food choices that do not provide lasting satiation and increase weight gain risks. Well-rounded breakfast meals featuring fiber, protein, healthy fat, and a variety of vitamins and minerals keep the body satiated while also contributing to daily nutrient needs. 

Since seniors often eat less food at each meal, balanced breakfasts help them consume the nutrients necessary for optimal health. Their ability to focus improves because trying to concentrate amid hunger pangs is challenging at any age. Brain-healthy foods boost memory, while heart-healthy options contribute to cardiovascular health. 

If your older loved one is diabetic, balanced breakfasts regulate blood sugar. Foods high in calcium and vitamin D are also recommended to maintain strong bones since mineral losses are a natural part of aging. 

How Can You Make Sure Your Senior Loved One Eats Breakfast? 

Help your older loved one avoid malnourishment issues by providing soft foods that are easy to consume, such as eggs, soft fresh fruits, oatmeal, and high-protein smoothies. Opt for small portions since seniors are not always hungry in the morning, and eat with the loved one whenever possible. It’s more likely the senior will eat in the presence of a friend or family member. 

Assisted living services encourage your older family member to eat breakfast, which provides peace of mind if you’ve recently experienced eating issues with the senior. Discuss foods that provide the most nutrition in light of your loved one’s current health, and inquire about group breakfasts and morning caregiver check-ins that make certain breakfast is eaten. An assisted living community can become invaluable to the individual’s health and wellness not only because of nutritious meal services, but because of socialization, exercise, and activity options. 

If assisted living is right for your aging loved one, contact Atmore Nursing Center today. Offering assisted and independent living services as well as nursing home care, the Atmore, AL-based community features a team of dedicated caregivers and medical staff. Call (251) 368-9121 to learn more about the facility, or visit the caregivers online for service information.