It might sound strange, but almost 50% of American seniors are malnourished. And when they don’t have proper nutrition, their overall health can really suffer.
If you’ve got a senior in your life that you’re concerned about, the good news is, you can help point them in the right direction.
Below are 5 elderly meal plan samples you can try out.
1. Proteins
Protein is a huge source of energy for our bodies, which makes it important for people of all ages. It’s been found that the elderly don’t get enough protein in their diets, so you’ll want to give them protein-rich foods.
While meal planning for them, make sure you include foods like chicken, eggs, tofu, white fish, and lean beef. Beef can be harmful if you eat too much of it, so only plan out one day max for beef.
2. Healthy Fats
Healthy fats are essential for providing energy and boosting elderly health. They can also help with vitamin absorption.
You can cook or toss foods in coconut oil or extra virgin olive oil. And in their foods, you can add things like nuts, avocadoes, and cheese. These will all give your senior the healthy fats they need!
3. Probiotics
Probiotics are a type of good bacteria for your gut. Not only do they help with digestion and absorption of nutrients, but they also produce vitamins in the GI tract.
You can get probiotics from yogurt, buttermilk, sauerkraut, miso, and kimchi, all of which are easy for home health aides to give to your loved one. So if you can’t meal prep for them, you can stock your senior’s fridge with these items and have the home health aide portion these foods out.
4. Fruits and Vegetables
Adding fruits and vegetables to your senior’s meals will not only brighten up their plates, but also give them a myriad of nutrients they need to stay healthy. In addition, they’re a great source of fiber, which can keep them regular.
Fruits that can be good for your loved one include bananas, blueberries, pomegranates, and apples. Some fruits can have a high amount of natural sugars though, so be careful, especially if your senior is diabetic.
Vegetables to include in your meal plans include broccoli, sweet potatoes, tomatoes, kale, and spinach.
5. Whole Grains
Whole grains are full of fiber. Not only does this keep you regular, but it also keeps you satiated, which can help with maintaining a healthy weight.
Think about including things like whole-wheat pasta and brown rice for your senior’s meal plans.
Give These Elderly Meal Plan Samples a Try
If you’ve got a senior in your life who needs help with meal planning, the above elderly meal plan samples can be a great start. Senior nutrition is important, especially since they’re more vulnerable to illness. Give them a head start to aging well by meeting all their elderly nutritional requirements, and then some!
Want to read more on health and wellness? Then keep browsing our blog!
