Five Nutritious Snacks for Seniors in Westminster, CO and Surrounding Areas

To celebrate National Nutrition Month, our caregivers recommend these five healthy snack ideas for seniors in Westminster, Broomfield, Northglenn and surrounding areas in Colorado

Despite the fact that snacking is a relatively safe habit, some seniors prefer unhealthy snacks. To maintain your loved one's well-being when they get older, they should eat snacks that are more helpful than harmful. Convincing a loved one to choose healthy foods over their favorite treats, on the other hand, can be challenging, so it's important to find alternatives that they'll love to eat while also having the vitamins and nutrients they need. Furthermore, when choosing nutritious snacks for seniors, it is important that they be easy to eat. Whether you are a family caregiver or have hired a professional caregiver from a home care provider like Visiting Angels Westminster, it is important that you help your loved one develop healthy behaviors like snacking on nutritious foods.

Why is Snacking Beneficial for Seniors?

Snacking is very beneficial because it provides the recommended daily amount of a range of nutrients that encourage physical and mental well-being. A typical serving of fruit or berries raises levels of the neurotransmitters dopamine and serotonin throughout the brain. These chemicals boost seniors' memory, alertness and attentiveness. A serving of protein-rich nuts like walnuts or almonds is an important component of a lean muscle-building diet. The same is true for grains (such as quinoa) and legumes (such as soy). Snacking on nutritious foods, according to the National Institute on Aging, will help you maintain a healthy weight. It can also help prevent diabetes, obesity and heart disease.

In one study, only 3 percent of people who participated said they never snacked, while 57 percent said they snacked several times a day. Given the benefits of snacking, it's no wonder that seniors enjoy snacking on their favorite foods.

However, due to age-related issues, some independent seniors can struggle to eat regularly. They may have difficulty swallowing or chewing, or they may have trouble with opening jars. They may be bedridden or wheelchair-bound, making it difficult for them to access kitchen objects. When it comes to food, housebound seniors may be unable to visit a shopping center.

Seniors can preserve their independence and enjoy life at home for as long as possible by avoiding chronic conditions induced by an unhealthy diet. As more independent seniors choose to spend their golden years at home, it's important to monitor your loved one's health and pay attention to what they're eating throughout the day.

Visiting Angels Westminster makes certain that the seniors in our care have something nutritious to eat in between meals. We place a heavy emphasis on our clients' safety and well-being while delivering in-home care services.

Since they are delicious, easy to prepare and nutritious, our caregivers recommend the following snacks for seniors:

1. Fresh fruit

Fresh fruit, such as apples or peaches, can be quickly peeled and eaten in small bites by seniors. Fruit is a healthy snack choice since it is low in fat and calories while being high in fiber and antioxidants.

Seniors should eat vitamin C-rich fruits like oranges and strawberries, according to nutritionists. Vitamin C aids in tissue formation and protects cells from damage.

Fruit is also a great complement to other healthy snacks. Trail mix can be made by mixing dried fruit and a handful of nuts, or it can be served as a topping for Greek yogurt.

2. Whole wheat crackers with peanut butter

This snack is not only tasty, but it is also nutritious, as whole grains provide fiber and protein for a healthy diet. Peanut butter is rich in healthy fats, which are essential for the proper functioning of the body, as well as vitamins and minerals. It does, however, contain calories, so eat in moderation to avoid overindulgence.

Looking for additional spread options? Quinoa and amaranth are two ancient grains that can be used in place of peanut butter. Hummus can also be made by mashing up chickpeas and mixing in tahini, lemon juice and garlic.

3. Granola bars

Granola bars are a unique snack that blends convenience, taste and nutritious value! They're ideal for on-the-go snacking or as a mid-afternoon pick-me-up in between meals.

Granola bars are high in nutrition and low in fat and calories, making them an excellent snack for seniors. Our caregivers strongly encourage only consuming whole grain granola bars free of hydrogenated oils and added sugar.

4. Nuts

Nuts are an excellent snack because of their high protein, healthy fats, vitamins and minerals. They also contain fiber, which is essential for regularity and can thus benefit constipated seniors. When buying nuts, go for unsalted varieties. Peanuts and cashews are good options because they have a high concentration of "omegas," or healthy fats. If you don't have peanut butter, you can use almond butter or unsweetened applesauce instead.

5. Smoothies

Smoothies are a great snack for seniors because they have a variety of fruit and vegetable choices (you can use fresh or frozen fruits and vegetables) and allow you to get your regular serving of fruits and vegetables without having to cut or chop anything. The majority of smoothie recipes call for a mixture of soy milk, fruit and yogurt. You can make them as simple or as complicated as you want by adding ingredients like nuts, honey, or protein powder.

If you want to make the smoothie ahead of time, simply freeze it in an ice cube tray before applying it frozen to the blender! They will have thawed by the time you drink them, so no ice cubes are needed.

How Our Caregivers Can Help Seniors Prepare Healthy Snacks

Our caregivers will assist your senior loved one in remaining healthy and independent by promoting healthy eating habits, maintaining a safe home atmosphere, and implementing nutritious and tasty new recipes. When it comes to seniors' health and well-being, our mission at Visiting Angels Westminster is to help them achieve their goals in simple and supportive ways.

At Visiting Angels Westminster, we can ease the stress of day-to-day activities with personalized and compassionate care at home. Our caregivers can assist with meal planning and preparation, as well as grocery shopping. When providing senior care services, we can help your loved one find new tasty and nutritious snack options in the grocery store, prepare nutritious snacking alternatives such as low-fat dips for vegetables and trail mix, store snacks for later and assist with cleaning up the kitchen afterwards.

Nutritious snacks can help seniors preserve their independence and well-being. It is critical to choose healthy snacks for your family that are both tasty and simple to prepare. Our in-home caregivers will help your senior loved one maintain healthy eating habits and get the nutrition they need!

Visiting Angels Westminster offers personalized in-home senior care services in Westminster, Broomfield, Northglenn, Federal Heights and surrounding areas in Colorado, so you can have peace of mind knowing your loved one is receiving the level of care they need. Our caregivers also provide companionship, light housekeeping, transportation to medical appointments and help with a wide range of daily tasks.

To learn how our caregivers can help your loved one find new and healthy snacks, contact Visiting Angels Westminster at 303-625-7623.