Five Nutritious Snacks Seniors in Bethesda, MD Should Keep Stocked

March is National Nutrition Month! In addition to a delicious meal, the in-home caregiver team at Visiting Angels of Bethesda suggests stocking your refrigerator and pantry with these five nutritious snacks every senior should keep stocked in Bethesda, Aspen Hill, Silver Spring, Laurel and surrounding areas in Maryland.

Five Nutritious Snacks for Seniors in Montgomery and Prince George’s Counties

Almond Butter

Almonds are rich in magnesium which can help lower blood pressure while providing protein for muscle and tissue growth.

Whole Wheat Crackers

Wholegrain crackers provide energy to active minds and bodies while being low in calories.

Yogurt

Yogurt is rich in calcium and vitamin D, which helps maintain strong bones and teeth while reducing the risk of certain diseases such as osteoporosis.

Hummus

A flavorful spread, hummus is high in proteins and fiber, which can help keep your stomach feeling full for hours.

Almonds

One of our favorite snacks, almonds provide healthy monounsaturated fats, which help lower cholesterol and heart disease risk.

A balanced diet is one of the significant steps in staying healthy as you grow older. It may help you maintain your physical fitness, increase your energy and supply you with the nutrients you require. A review of the research indicates that it also reduces your risk of various illnesses, such as coronary artery disease and diabetes.

Strategies to Help Seniors Eat Well

There are several strategies family caregivers and professional in-home caregivers can use to help seniors maintain a healthy diet.

Chew Your Food - Aim to chew each bite of food at least 30 times and avoid bolting down your meals.
Keep Meals Balanced - To add flavor to a healthy meal, use spices and herbs rather than salt. Be sure to include a source of protein, carbohydrates and healthy fat with each meal.
Reduce Salt Intake - Minimize the amount of sodium you eat by avoiding canned foods, commercially prepared meals, processed foods and fast foods.
Eat Smaller Meals - Dietitians recommend that seniors eat 5-6 small meals a day rather than large, infrequent meals to satisfy their hunger.
Eat Regularly - Eating regularly can help prevent you from getting overly hungry and overeating. For example, try to eat breakfast within an hour of waking up, lunch around noon and dinner at 6 pm or 7 pm.
Eat Healthy Snacks - Make sure your refrigerator is stocked with healthy snacks such as fresh fruits, vegetables, nuts or seeds to eat between meals.
Avoid Empty Calories - Many beverages are packed with empty calories and should be avoided if you're trying to lose weight. Try drinking water instead of milk or juice and have a cup of coffee or tea without added sugar.
Limit Alcohol Intake - Alcohol contains many calories in a small amount of liquid, so limit yourself to only one drink per day.
Do Not Skip Meals - Skipping meals, especially breakfast, can cause you to become hungry earlier in the day. Eating a healthy meal every 3-4 hours can help you feel satisfied.

How In-Home Caregivers from Visiting Angels of Bethesda Can Help

As a trusted senior care provider for families in Bethesda, Aspen Hill, Silver Spring and surrounding communities, we often hear that the seniors we serve are not feeling hungry enough to eat. Many of our clients have suffered previous health issues or have a family history of health problems which can contribute to a low appetite or make it difficult to prepare meals or shop for groceries.

Seniors must maintain a proper diet to stave off health risks such as malnutrition and obesity. A nutritious diet can help seniors avoid poor nutrition conditions, including osteoporosis, diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

At Visiting Angels of Bethesda, we believe seniors deserve to enjoy their golden years with good food and great company. However, sometimes seniors can't prepare healthy meals by themselves or eat out frequently at restaurants that serve healthy food.

That's why our in-home caregivers help our clients plan and prepare a range of nutritious snacks that are easy to prepare, easily transportable and suitable for seniors to eat.

We visit our clients' homes and stock up on food products that combine four essential nutrients: protein, carbohydrates, dietary fiber and vitamins. We also include a healthy dose of fat to keep seniors energized.

We package each meal with clear directions on preparing the food and an inventory list of the ingredients so you can purchase the right items on your own. We also provide detailed nutritional information so you can make better, healthier eats at home.

These nutritious snacks can be packed in bags for easy transportation or wrapped in paper or plastic wrap for storage in the refrigerator until ready to serve. In between visits, we leave a selection of soups, meats, fish, vegetables and fruits that can be prepared over the weekend or frozen when needed.

Whether helping with meal preparation, grocery shopping or medication reminders, Visiting Angels of Bethesda has in-home caregivers throughout Prince George’s and Montgomery Counties. They can provide in-home senior care for aging adults to keep them healthy and independent.

To learn how in-home caregivers from Visiting Angels of Bethesda can help your senior loved one, contact us at 301-490-9050!