Benefits of Healthy Snacks for Seniors
Eating healthy, nutritious snacks helps to keep the muscles, bones, and organs strong. Foods rich in vitamins work to fight illness and give the immune system a boost. Eating the right foods reduces the risk of heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, diabetes, bone loss, anemia, and cancer. When providing elder care, it is important to encourage healthy eating.
Eating essential nutrients is important for the brain and helps to keep the mind sharp. Improve focus and reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s disease by eating leafy vegetables, brightly colored fruits, fish, and nuts packed with omega-3 fatty acids.
Healthy Snack Options
The following are different categories of foods and nutrients that should be included in your senior loved one’s diet. Each type of food has its own benefits that make them worth adding to your meals.
Vegetables
Eat dark, leafy, antioxidant-rich greens, such as kale, spinach, and broccoli. Yellow and orange vegetables such as carrots, squash, and yams benefit daily nutrition. Try to consume 2 to 2 ½ cups of vegetables per day.
Fruits
Eat more whole fruits instead of juices. These contain fiber and vitamins essential to health. Berries and melons make great healthy snacks. Try to eat 1 ½ to 2 servings per day.
Calcium
Calcium is essential for maintaining bone health. It helps to prevent osteoporosis and bone fractures. Milk, yogurt, and cheese are great dairy sources of calcium. Broccoli, tofu, almonds, and kale are non-dairy sources of calcium.
Protein
Adults aged 50 and over need 0.5 grams per pound of body weight. To know how many grams you need, simply divide your body weight in half. A serving of tuna contains about 40 grams of protein. Other sources include beans, peas, nuts, eggs, milk, cheese, seeds, and fish.
Grains
Whole grains contain more nutrients and fiber than processed white flour. When selecting pasta, breads, and cereals, look for the word “whole” in the ingredient list. Older adults should consume 6 to 7 ounces of grains per day. One slice of bread contains about one ounce.
Antioxidants
Antioxidants are molecules found in foods that stop free radicals from damaging our cells. Antioxidants are important for slowing the aging process, preventing heart disease, stroke, cancer, and high blood pressure. Sources of food enriched with antioxidants include berries (blueberries, raspberries, strawberries, blackberries), broccoli, tomatoes, red grapes, garlic, spinach, carrots, soy, and whole grains.
Even the elderly enjoy snacks throughout the day. As an elderly care provider, be sure to consider foods that contain the proper vitamins and nutrients important for boosting their overall health.
For all of your elder care needs in Cherry Hill, NJ and the surrounding areas call and talk to us at Home to Stay Senior Care Solutions (856) 321-1500.
