Worried that you or your elderly loved one isn’t eating a balanced diet? The caregivers at Visiting Angels NJ Bay Head offer a number of different home care services, including meal preparation, and are knowledgeable in the health challenges affecting elderly people. 

Here, the independent living experts share tips for a balanced diet that include important vitamins and minerals so your loved one can stay healthy:

• Iron: A body lacking in iron will be low on energy, making you feel weak, grumpy, have problems concentrating, and have headaches. Foods you should eat include pulses (peas, beans, and lentils), oily fish (sardines), and eggs.
• Calcium: Eating foods with this nutrient help reduce the risk of bone-related diseases like osteoporosis, which causes your bones to become brittle and increases the risk of fractures. To avoid this, eat dairy products (milk, cheese, and yogurt), green leafy vegetables (broccoli, cabbage), soya beans, tofu, and canned fish (sardines).
• Vitamin B12: As an older person, getting enough of this vitamin is difficult because it is harder to absorb as you age. But it’s a great way to maintain healthy nerve function and keep the blood supply well stocked with red blood cells. You may have to take a dietary supplement, but try to eat foods like fish, seafood, tofu, milk, cheese, and eggs.

Eating well has great benefits on the health and well-being of an elderly loved one, and can reduce the risk of heart disease, stroke, diabetes, bone loss, and anemia. If you think you or an elderly loved one needs senior care or assistance at home, consider Visiting Angels NJ Bay Head. Visit the website to read about the specialty services they provide and feel free to call (732) 240-1050 for more information.