Five Nutritious Snacks for Seniors in Naples, FL and Surrounding Areas
To help celebrate National Nutrition Month, our at-home caregivers recommend these five delicious and healthy snacks for seniors in Naples, Marco Island and surrounding areas in Collier County, FL
Despite the fact that snacking is a perfectly healthy habit, some seniors gravitate toward unhealthy snacks. To maintain your loved one's health as they age, they should eat snacks that do more good than harm. However, it can be difficult to persuade a loved one to select healthier foods over the snacks they might prefer, so it's important to find healthy choices that are both nutritious and tasty. Furthermore, when selecting healthy snacks for seniors, it is important that they are easy to eat. Whether you're a family caregiver or you've hired a professional at-home caregiver from an agency like Visiting Angels Naples, it's important to encourage your loved one to develop healthy habits like choosing healthy foods for snacking.
Why is Snacking Beneficial for Seniors?
Snacking is a healthy habit because it gives you the recommended daily amount of many different kinds of nutrients that benefit your physical and mental well-being. A normal serving of fruit or berries increases the neurotransmitters dopamine and serotonin throughout the brain. These chemicals boost seniors' memory, as well as their alertness and attentiveness. A serving of protein-rich nuts, such as walnuts or almonds, is an important component of a diet that promotes lean muscle mass when it is needed. The same goes for grains (such as quinoa) and beans (such as soy). According to the National Institute on Aging, snacking on healthy foods will help you maintain a healthy weight. It can also aid in the prevention of diabetes, obesity and heart disease.
According to one survey, only three percent of people polled said they never snack, while 57 percent claimed they snacked multiple times a day. Given the advantages of snacking, it is no surprise that seniors in Collier County want to continue their snacking habits.
However, some independent seniors may struggle to eat when needed due to age-related issues. They may have a challenge swallowing or chewing or they may not be able to open jars. They may be bed-ridden or wheelchair-bound, which can make it difficult for them to access what they need in the kitchen. If they are housebound, they might not be able to travel to a shopping center when they need food.
Healthy snacking can help seniors maintain their independence and enjoy life at home for as long as possible because it can help them avoid developing chronic conditions as a result of an unhealthy diet. Since more and more independent seniors are choosing to live out their golden years at home, it's essential to make sure your loved one stays healthy.
That's why at Visiting Angels Naples, we make sure that the seniors in our care have something nutritious to eat between meal times. When providing senior care services, we always prioritize the safety and well-being of our clients.
Our at-home caregivers recommend these snacks for seniors because they are flavorful and easy to prepare, while still being nutritious and healthy:
1. Fresh fruit
Seniors can easily peel off the skin of fresh fruit such as apples or peaches and take small bites. Fruit is a good snack choice because it is nutritious and low in fat and calories, yet high in fiber and antioxidants.
Nutritionists advise seniors to choose fruits that are high in vitamin C, such as oranges or strawberries. Vitamin C is helpful in building tissue and preventing cell damage.
In addition, fruit makes for a great ingredient in other healthy dishes. You can grab some pieces of dried fruit and a handful of nuts to make trail mix or use it as a topping on a serving of Greek yogurt.
2. Whole wheat crackers with peanut butter
This snack is not only delicious, but healthy as well because whole grains provide fiber and protein for a balanced diet. Peanut butter contains healthy fats that are essential for the body to function and certain vitamins and minerals. However, it still has calories so limit the amount you eat to prevent overindulgence.
Need other options for spreads? The ancient grains quinoa and amaranth are excellent substitutes for peanut butter. You can also mash up some chickpeas and mix it with tahini, lemon juice and garlic to make hummus.
3. Granola bars
Granola bars are a unique snack that offer convenience, taste, and health benefits all in one! They're great for snacking on the go or even as an afternoon pick-me-up between meals.
Granola bars are generally high in fiber, but low in fat and calories which makes it a healthy snack for seniors. Our at-home caregivers highly recommend only eating granola bars with whole grains and no hydrogenated oils or too much added sugar.
4. Nuts
Nuts are a great snack choice because they are high in protein, healthy fats, vitamins and minerals. They also contain fiber which is essential for regularity and therefore can help seniors who struggle with constipation. When purchasing nuts it is best to choose those that are unsalted. Peanuts and cashews are great choices because they maintain high levels of healthy fats called "omegas." If you need other options for spreads, it's easy to replace peanut butter with almond butter, or unsweetened applesauce
5. Smoothies
With so many fruit and vegetable options (you can use either fresh or frozen fruits and veggies), smoothies are a great snack for seniors because they allow you to get your daily serving of fruits and vegetables without having to cut or chop anything. Most smoothie recipes contain a combination of soy milk, fruit and yogurt. You can make them as easy or difficult as you want by adding items such as seeds, honey or protein powder.
If you would like to make the smoothie ahead of time, just freeze it in an ice cube tray and then add to the blender frozen! They will be thawed by the time you drink them so there's no need to add ice cubes.
How At-Home Caregivers from Visiting Angels Naples Can Help Seniors Prepare Healthy Snacks
At Visiting Angels Naples, our at-home caregivers can help your senior loved one stay healthy and independent by encouraging healthy eating habits, maintaining a safe environment, and introducing creative new recipes. When it comes to health and wellness, our goal at Visiting Angels Naples is to support seniors' goals in ways that are both convenient and helpful.
Plus, we can help ease the burden of day-to-day tasks. Our caregivers are available to help with planning and preparing healthy meals and grocery shopping. We can help your loved one find new snack options that are delicious and nutritious, help them prepare healthy snacking alternatives like low-fat dips for veggies and trail mix, store snacks for later, and help with cleaning up the kitchen afterwards.
The right snacks can help seniors maintain their independence and health. It's essential to choose smart snack options that are both tasty and healthy for your loved ones. Our at-home caregivers are available to support your senior loved one's healthy eating habits and ensure that they are getting the nutrition they need!
At Visiting Angels Naples we provide professional in-home senior care throughout Collier County, so you can rest assured your loved one is getting the care they need. Our at-home caregivers can also provide companionship, light housekeeping, transportation to doctor appointments, and assistance with a wide variety of daily living tasks.
To learn how our at-home caregivers can help your loved one find new and healthy snacks, contact our Naples, FL office at 239-561-7600.