Boosting Mom or Dad’s Overall Health with a Nutritious and Balanced Diet in Eldersburg, MD
At Visiting Angels, our in-home care services include assisting with planning and preparing meals so we can encourage seniors in Eldersburg, Westminster, Baltimore, Ellicott City, Columbia, Randallstown and surrounding areas in Maryland to eat balanced and healthy diets
We all know good nutrition is the cornerstone of healthy living at any age, especially for seniors who need to maintain proper weight and avoid medical problems or adequately manage already existing conditions. As our bodies change and slow down during the golden years, dietary changes become necessary to compensate for slower metabolisms, health conditions and loss of certain body functions.
At Visiting Angels Eldersburg, we can help your loved one incorporate healthy foods and ingredients into their diet. Our in-home care services include assisting with preparing and planning meals so we can help our clients keep up their strength and maintain their independence for longer.
Improve Metabolic Rate with Protein-Rich Foods
Many people gain weight as they enter their golden years. This happens because our metabolism tends to slow down as we age, stripping the body of its ability to burn calories as quickly as it once did. Additionally, a lack of exercise combined with a sedentary lifestyle may also contribute to a lower metabolic rate. It happens to many seniors.
To avoid this, your loved one can make efforts to boost their metabolism by switching to a protein-rich diet, eat small but more frequent portions throughout the day, and take on a senior-friendly strength-building exercise regimen. Some tasty, protein-rich foods recommended by both dietitians and experts offering in-home care services at Visiting Angels Eldersburg include tuna, chicken breast, cottage cheese, broccoli, Brussel sprouts, beef, quinoa, eggs and dairy.
Maintaining Healthy Bones by Increasing Calcium Intake
Due to various processes of aging, many seniors are often deficient in calcium and vitamin D, which puts them at a significantly higher risk of falls and fall-related injuries. For this reason, your loved one should try to increase their calcium intake and consume at least 1,000-1,200 mg of calcium per day. Of course, eating a healthy diet is the best way to meet these daily totals.
A caregiver from Visiting Angels Eldersburg providing personalized in-home care services can prepare tasty, nutritious dishes for Mom or Dad and include a preferred combination of calcium-rich foods such as fortified cereals, fruit, green leafy vegetables, beans, canned fish and milk.
Superfoods for Increased Health Benefits
Certain groceries known as superfoods have better nutritious qualities than others. Including them in your loved one’s diet can add a variety of tastes and textures to meals while providing a range of health benefits too.
Let us take a look at some superfoods for healthy aging:
- Blueberries – This delicious fruit rich in fiber and antioxidants is a natural remedy against heart disease, diabetes, and cancer.
- Beans – Also full of antioxidants, beans are a great low-calorie substitute to red meat.
- Greek yogurt – Packed with probiotic properties, Greek yogurt is known to regulate the digestive system.
- Fiber – Many vegetables, whole grains, legumes, and fruits are naturally rich in fiber, which is essential for a healthy diet because it helps normalize bowel movements and lower blood pressure, cholesterol, and sugar levels.
- Fatty fish – Salmon, mackerel, trout, sardines, and shellfish are bursting with Omega-3 fatty acids known for strengthening the heart and helping reduce blood pressure, high triglycerides, and cholesterol.
- Spinach – Leafy green vegetables, especially spinach, help strengthen the immune system.
Whether your parent receives care from you or relies on professional in-home care services from Visiting Angels Eldersburg, introducing these simple nutritional guidelines into their diet can go a long way in keeping them healthier and more active for longer.
Contact our Eldersburg, MD office to learn how we can help your loved one.