How Our At-Home Care Providers in Wheat Ridge, CO and Surrounding Areas Can Help Improve Your Loved One’s Heath by Introducing Dietary Changes
Here’s how a healthy, balanced diet can improve the health and well-being of seniors in Wheat Ridge, Denver, Golden and surrounding areas in Colorado
As the human body changes during the golden years, it is important for aging adults to be aware of these changes and make efforts to adjust their diet in accordance with their age and existing medical conditions such as high blood pressure or diabetes.
The following nutritional guidelines, compiled by senior care experts, can help your senior loved one eat well and boost their overall health along the way.
In addition, if your loved one struggles to prepare their own meals, Visiting Angels Denver can help. Our at-home care providers can assist your loved one with planning and preparing meals so they can have an easier time with eating healthier dishes and snacks.
Protein-Rich Diets Help Combat Slower Metabolism
Our metabolism tends to slow down as we age, which often results in gaining weight. A lack of physical activity, reduced muscle tone, and poor sleep all contribute to lower metabolism in senior years.
As reducing caloric intake can only make matters worse for aging adults and further slow their metabolism, opting to eat more foods with high-nutritional values is often recommended by professional dietitians and expert at-home care providers at Visiting Angels Denver alike.
This being said, switching to a protein-rich diet can help your loved one boost their metabolism. Mom or Dad can eat smaller meals throughout the day and include some healthy snacks in between too. Some great sources of protein include tuna, chicken and turkey breast, milk, cottage cheese, beef, quinoa, salmon, eggs, broccoli, Brussel sprouts and shrimp.
Boost Calcium Intake to Maintain Bone Health
Regular intake of calcium and vitamin D is essential to maintaining strong and healthy bones. Unfortunately, deficiency in calcium and vitamin D, which helps absorb calcium, is quite common among seniors due to a number of reasons associated with the process of aging. To avoid this, your loved one or their professional at-home care provider should prepare more calcium-rich dishes that include fortified cereals, oranges, collard, kale, canned sardines with soft bones, and dairy.
Consume More Foods with High Nutrient Density
While it is well known that some food groups are more nourishing and healthier than others, including certain superfoods in your parent’s diet can improve their overall health and bring a plethora of health benefits.
Some great foods for healthy aging are:
- Blueberries – High in fiber and full of antioxidants, berries are known for promoting cardiovascular health and protecting the body against diabetes and various types of cancer.
- Beans – Rich in antioxidants, beans make great, tasty substitutes to read meat and there are plenty of varieties to choose from.
- Greek yogurt – This creamy dairy product is full of probiotics that help regulate the digestive system while adding ample protein to the diet.
- Fatty fish – Salmon, mackerel, trout, sardines, and shellfish are literally bursting with Omega-3 fatty acids, which help reduce blood pressure and cholesterol levels, warding off the risk of numerous heart diseases.
- Spinach – Best consumed cooked, this vegetable helps strengthen the immune system.
- Fiber – Eating more vegetables, whole grains, legumes, and fruits rich in fiber can help normalize digestive problems while lowering cholesterol and blood pressure at the same time.
With the support of a family caregiver or a professional at-home care provider from Visiting Angels Denver, your loved one can reduce their calorie intake, get more protein, calcium and other essential nutrients to manage their weight and maintain good health for longer.
To learn how our caregivers can help your loved one, contact our Wheat Ridge, CO office today.
Visiting Angels provides meal preparation and other in-home elder care services for seniors throughout Arvada, Aurora, Denver, Glendale, Golden, Lakewood, Wheat Ridge and the surrounding areas of Colorado.