Five Nutritious Snacks for Seniors in Wheat Ridge and Denver, CO

To celebrate National Nutrition Month, our home care specialists suggest these five tasty and nutritious snack ideas for aging adults in Wheat Ridge, Denver, Golden and surrounding communities in Colorado

Given the fact that snacking is a perfectly safe habit, some seniors favor unhealthy snacks. To preserve your loved one's wellbeing as they age, they should eat snacks that are more beneficial than harmful. However, it can be daunting to convince a loved one to choose healthier foods over their preferred sweets, so it's important to find healthy options that are both healthy and delicious. Furthermore, when choosing nutritious snacks for seniors, it is important that they be easy to consume. If you're a family caregiver or have hired a home care specialist from a company like Visiting Angels Denver, it's important to encourage your loved one to cultivate good behaviors like snacking on healthy foods.

Why is Snacking Beneficial for Seniors?

Snacking is beneficial because it provides the recommended daily amount of a variety of nutrients that support your physical and mental well-being. A standard serving of fruit or berries boosts levels of the neurotransmitters dopamine and serotonin throughout the brain. These chemicals improve seniors' memory, alertness and attentiveness. A serving of protein-rich nuts, such as walnuts or almonds, is an essential component of a diet that promotes lean muscle mass. The same is true for grains (such as quinoa) and beans (such as soy). Snacking on nutritious foods, according to the National Institute on Aging, will help you maintain a healthy weight. It can also help prevent diabetes, obesity and heart disease.

According to one study, just 3 percent of those surveyed said they never snacked, while 57 percent said they snacked several times a day. Given the benefits of snacking, it's no wonder that seniors in the Denver area want to continue enjoying their favorite treats.

However, due to age-related issues, some independent seniors can struggle to eat when necessary. They may have difficulty swallowing or chewing, or they may be unable to open jars. They may be bedridden or wheelchair-bound, making it difficult for them to get to what they need in the kitchen. If they are housebound, they may be unable to go to a shopping center when they need food.

Healthy snacking will help seniors preserve their independence and enjoy life at home for as long as possible by avoiding chronic problems induced by an unhealthy diet. As more independent seniors opt to live out their golden years at home, it's important to ensure your loved one's well-being.

That is why, at Visiting Angels Denver, we make certain that the seniors in our care have something nutritious to eat in between meals. We fully prioritize our clients' safety and well-being while delivering in-home senior care services.

Our home care specialists recommend the following snacks for seniors because they are delicious and quick to prepare while staying nutritious and healthy:

1. Fresh fruit

Seniors can quickly peel the skin off fresh fruit like apples or peaches and eat tiny bites. Fruit is a healthy snack choice since it is low in fat and calories while being high in fiber and antioxidants.

Seniors should also eat fruits rich in vitamin C, such as oranges or strawberries, according to nutritionists. Vitamin C aids in the formation of tissue and the prevention of cell damage.

Fruit is also an excellent complement to other nutritious snacks. You can combine dried fruit and a handful of nuts to create trail mix or use it as a topping for Greek yogurt.

2. Whole wheat crackers with peanut butter

This snack is not only tasty, but also nutritious, as whole grains provide fiber and protein for a well-balanced diet. Peanut butter is rich in healthy fats, which are important for the body's function, as well as vitamins and minerals. However, it also contains calories, so restrict your intake to avoid overindulgence.

Do you need additional spread options? Quinoa and amaranth are two ancient grains that can be used in place of peanut butter. You can also make hummus by mashing chickpeas and mixing them with tahini, lemon juice, and garlic.

3. Granola bars

Granola bars are a one-of-a-kind snack that combines convenience, taste and health benefits! They're ideal for on-the-go snacking or as a mid-afternoon pick-me-up in between meals.

Granola bars are rich in fiber but low in fat and calories, making them a good snack for seniors. Our home care specialists strongly suggest consuming only granola bars made of whole grains and free of hydrogenated oils and added sugar.

4. Nuts

Nuts are an excellent snack option due to their high protein, healthy fats, vitamins and mineral content. They also contain fiber, which is essential for regularity and can thus benefit seniors who suffer from constipation. When buying nuts, select unsalted varieties. Peanuts and cashews are excellent options because they contain high amounts of "omegas," which are good fats. If you need other spreads, you can easily substitute almond butter or unsweetened applesauce for peanut butter.

5. Smoothies

Smoothies are a great snack for seniors because they include a variety of fruit and vegetable choices (you can use fresh or frozen fruits and vegetables) and allow you to get your regular serving of fruits and vegetables without having to cut or chop anything. The majority of smoothie recipes call for a mixture of soy milk, fruit and yogurt. You can make them as simple or as complicated as you want by adding ingredients like seeds, honey or protein powder.

If you want to make the smoothie ahead of time, simply freeze it in an ice cube tray and then apply it frozen to the blender! They will have thawed by the time you drink them, so no ice cubes are needed.

How Home Care Specialists from Visiting Angels Denver Can Help Seniors Prepare Healthy Snacks

Our home care specialists at Visiting Angels Denver will assist your senior loved one in remaining healthy and independent by promoting smart eating habits, preserving a safe home environment and implementing innovative and delicious new recipes. When it comes to health and well-being, our mission at Visiting Angels Denver is to help seniors achieve their objectives in ways that are both easy and beneficial.

Furthermore, we will assist in easing the stress of day-to-day activities. Our caregivers are available to assist with meal planning and preparation, as well as grocery shopping. We will assist your loved one in discovering new tasty and nutritious snack options, preparing safe snacking alternatives such as low-fat dips for vegetables and trail mix, storing snacks for later and assisting them in cleaning up the kitchen afterwards.

Snacks with the right nutrients will help seniors preserve their independence and well-being. It is critical to choose smart snack choices that are both tasty and nutritious for your family. Our home care specialists are available to help your senior loved one maintain good eating habits and get the nutrition they need!

Visiting Angels Denver offers personalized in-home senior care in Wheat Ridge, Denver, Golden and neighboring areas in Colorado, so you can be reassured that your loved one is receiving the level of care they need. Companionship, light housekeeping, transportation to medical appointments and help with a wide range of everyday living activities are also available from our caregivers.

To learn how our home care specialists can help your loved one find new and healthy snacks, contact our Wheat Ridge, CO office at 303-990-8148.