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When you have an aging parent in senior care, ensuring they eat right will enhance their quality of life. In-home nurses will assist with grocery shopping and meal planning, but providing guidance can further boost your loved one's nutrition. If you're wondering what they should eat or what to suggest for their meal plan, here's a list of foods to incorporate. 

4 Healthy Foods for Seniors 

1. Salmon 

Salmon and other fatty fish such as sardines, tuna, and mackerel are packed with omega-3 fatty acids. These healthy fats help cell membranes throughout the body function and repair themselves.

Also, they can reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke. A diet rich in fatty acids can reduce inflammation, preventing age-related arthritis. Omega-3 fatty acids can also slow or prevent macular degeneration associated with old age, ensuring your loved one can see clearly through their golden years. 

2. Nuts

Nuts like almonds, cashews, and walnuts are important parts of a healthy, balanced diet. As with fatty fish, these snacks are rich in omega-3 fatty acids that can prevent heart disease.

In addition, nuts contain a wide range of nutrients, such as fiber that promotes proper digestion, vitamin E to reduce the buildup of plaque in the arteries, and plant sterols that help lower cholesterol. Seniors require additional fiber in their diet to avoid constipation, manage their weight, and regulate blood sugar levels. 

3. Carrots

senior care

Carrots are superfoods that can easily be added to salads, stews, stir-fries, and dips. By eating carrots while in senior care, your loved one will have key sources of antioxidants, vitamins, and nutrients, such as vitamin A and vitamin K.

Vitamin A can help maintain healthy vision, while vitamin K can boost kidney function and maintain bone health, which is particularly crucial for seniors prone to osteoporosis. Carrots can also manage blood pressure and reduce the risk of contracting certain cancers

4. Whole Grains

By ensuring your loved one eats whole grains such as oatmeal, brown rice, barley, and whole-wheat pasta and bread, you'll help them maintain a healthy digestive tract and cardiovascular system. A concentration of essential minerals such as copper, magnesium, and selenium can also protect against cancers. Whole grains also help seniors reduce inflammation, maintain healthy cognitive function, and lower the risk of Type 2 diabetes

 

If you're looking for senior care that prioritizes nutrition in the Greater St. Louis, MO, area, Family United Home Health Care will help. With a dedicated team of in-home care nurses that perform myriad duties, including meal planning and grocery shopping, your family can rest easy knowing your loved one is healthy. To schedule a free in-home assessment, call (314) 716-3100. For more information on their offerings, compassionate approach, and training, visit their website. 

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