The Top Five Nutritious Foods to Include in Your Fall Menu

Eating a healthy diet is important, even at an older age. Unfortunately, many seniors miss out on essential nutrients. Certain medications, serious health conditions, lack of energy, feelings of loneliness, and limited access to grocery stores are just reasons why older adults don’t eat healthily.

Nutrient-dense diets not only help prevent serious health conditions but can also support healthy aging. Older adults don’t absorb key nutrients as younger people. Each bite should be packed with essential vitamins and minerals so that older adults can thrive.

If you are an older adult who is struggling with nutrition, use the autumn season to revise your menu. Here are the top five nutritious foods to include in your fall menu to help you meet your nutrition goals. 

Sweet Potatoes

Sweet potatoes are surprisingly nutritious. Packed with fiber, vitamins, and minerals, sweet potatoes are rich in antioxidants. They help support gut health, healthy vision, and the immune system. In addition, the nutrients found in sweet potatoes have cancer-fighting properties and can even enhance your cognitive health. Be sure to add sweet potatoes to your menu this autumn. Swap regular potatoes for sweet potatoes in any of your favorite potato dishes.

Squash 

Squash is another autumn food filled with nutrition. Rich in antioxidants, squash is an excellent source of many vitamins and minerals. They can help lower the risk for heart disease while supporting cognitive health. Add more squash to your diet this autumn by swapping pasta noodles for zucchini noodles. Try a squash-based soup this autumn, such as butternut squash soup or acorn squash soup. Bake a sugar-free pumpkin bread instead of reaching for a slice of pumpkin pie. 

Apples

Apples are filled with numerous health benefits. Packed with vitamin C, they also help with weight loss and regulate blood sugar. They support digestion and can help relieve constipation. Apples are a great source of water as well and can help improve the health of gums. Fill your fruit bowl with apples this autumn and snack on them throughout the day. If you struggle to bite into an apple, slice them instead. Dip them in nut butter or hummus and add more protein to your diet.

Brussel Sprouts

Brussel sprouts are low in calories but high in vitamins, minerals, and fiber, making them an excellent side dish for dinner. Also rich in antioxidants, Brussel sprouts help protect against cancer, osteoporosis, and chronic inflammation. They are a great source of omega-3 fatty acids and can help stabilize blood sugar levels. Include Brussel sprouts on your menu a few times a week this autumn season. Roast them in the oven or sauté them on the stove. Add a little olive oil and seasoning to make them more appetizing, or mix them in with your favorite pasta dish. 

Beets

Beets are filled with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. They can help lower blood pressure and reduce inflammation. They also support digestion and cognitive health. Beets are low in calories and high in water, making them a great food to support weight loss. Try grating beets into a salad for a quick way to add beets to your diet. Beets can also be roasted, boiled, or steamed and served as a side dish. 

Visiting Angels Southlake is here to help older adults who are struggling with nutrition. We offer assistance with meal planning and preparation as part of our senior care services. Our compassionate caregivers can work with you to create an appetizing menu that includes many of these nutritious autumn foods. They can escort you to the store or do the shopping for you if transportation is a barrier for you. They can then work alongside you in your kitchen to prepare healthy meals that you can reheat throughout the week. This is just one of the ways we are helping seniors remain safe and independent in the comfort of their own homes. Getting started is easy. Simply contact us today by calling 817-684-1996 to learn more.