Great Holiday Meals You Can Prepare For Your Senior Loved Ones
1. Butternut Squash Soup
Serving a bowl of warm butternut squash soup at the beginning of the meal is a nutritious alternative to typical appetizers. A single serving contains approximately 457 percent of your loved one’s daily vitamin A requirement, which is necessary for eye and skin health. The temperature of the soup can also help your loved one stay warm, which may alleviate joint pain.
Eating nutritious meals is one of the many ways older adults can maintain their health and stave off several diseases. Seniors can face a variety of challenges as they age, many of which can be mitigated with the help of professional in-home caregivers who provide high-quality in-home care. Garden Grove families trust us to help their elderly loved ones age in place safely and comfortably.
2. Roasted Turkey Breast
White turkey breast meat without the skin has very little saturated fat, which makes it a great main course for weight-conscious seniors. This lean meat supplies 34 grams of protein. Many seniors don’t get enough protein in their diets, which is essential for maintaining and building muscles, promoting wound healing, and keeping the immune system healthy.
3. Red Mashed Potatoes
Seniors who are missing teeth, wearing dentures, or experiencing pain in their gums will appreciate eating soft foods for Christmas dinner. Substitute red potatoes for typical russets and leave the peel on for a colorful dish that is full of nutrition. Red potatoes are high in vitamin B6, phytonutrients, and potassium, which are responsible for regulating blood pressure levels.
4. Pomegranate Avocado Salad
Switch a typical green salad for one laden with pomegranate seeds and avocados. This bright salad is festive with the red and green colors and provides a boost of nutrition. Pomegranate seeds are rich in antioxidants and vitamin C, which can help your loved one fight off illnesses during the winter months. Avocados contain healthy fat that boosts cardiovascular health.
Seniors who need help preparing nutritious meals should consider professional in-home care. If your aging loved one needs occasional help with bathing, grooming, cooking, or other basic household tasks, or if you need time to attend to important personal matters, reach out to us at Visiting Angels of Garden Grove, a leading provider of live-in and respite care. Garden Grove seniors can maintain their independence while living at home with the help of our reliable respite caregivers.
5. Roasted Vegetables
Toss diced carrots, onions, Brussels sprouts, and butternut squash with heart-healthy olive oil, sea salt, and rosemary, and roast it until the vegetables are golden brown. Vegetables are a great source of fiber, vitamins, and nutrients that can help your loved one stay healthy. Different colors of vegetables have different vitamins, so choose a colorful variety for a rainbow of nutritional benefits.
6. Baked Apples
Finish off the Christmas meal with a healthy dessert. Baked apples are a great source of fiber that can keep your loved one’s blood sugar steady. Because fiber slows down digestion, it causes blood sugar levels to rise slowly, which can help seniors with diabetes stay in a safe range. Fill cored apples with a mixture of brown sugar, chopped walnuts, and cinnamon, then bake until soft.
Seniors living with serious medical conditions such as stroke or Alzheimer’s disease often need help preparing healthy meals. Recovering from a stroke, managing the symptoms of Alzheimer’s, and a variety of other health-related situations can make it difficult for a senior to continue living at home without someone there to help. Our Garden Grove home care professionals are trained to help seniors who need 24/7 assistance. With the help of a live-in caregiver, your elderly loved one can maintain a higher quality of life while aging in place. To hire a professionally trained in-home care expert for your aging loved one, call Kelly at 714-379-4546 today.