The ideal number of calories a person should eat every day decreases with age, which means every calorie a senior consumes should be packed with important nutrients to keep the body running efficiently. Adding these superfoods to your senior loved one’s diet may make it easier to meet his or her nutritional needs.
Greek Yogurt
Greek yogurt is an all-around superfood with less carbs, salt, and sugar than regular yogurt and more probiotics to support healthy digestion. Greek yogurt is also an excellent source of calcium, with almost 190 mg per serving. Men between 51 and 70 should get 1,000 mg of calcium a day, then 1,200 mg a day over the age of 70.
Greek yogurt is also an excellent source of vitamins B12 and B6. Vitamin B12 supports healthy nerve function, but many seniors are deficient because they can’t absorb it as well as young people.
Eating well and living a healthy lifestyle can become increasingly difficult with age. If your aging loved one needs help managing everyday tasks or encouragement to adopt healthier lifestyle choices, turn to Assisting Hands Home Care, a leading provider of elder care. Assisting Hands Home Care provides professional in-home caregivers around the clock to help seniors live longer, happier, and healthier lives.
Asparagus
Prostate cancer is the most common form of cancer among elderly men, and asparagus has been found to guard against prostate cancer and other prostate problems. Prostate enlargement begins around the age of 40 and eventually leads to difficulty urinating. Asparagus is also a great source of fiber for digestive health and vitamin A to support the immune system and eye health.
Broccoli
Broccoli is packed with antioxidants, fiber, and vitamins A, C, B9, and K to support the immune system, bones, and eyes. Broccoli has more potassium than almost any other food, which reduces blood pressure and reduces the risk of kidney stones. It’s recommended that senior men get 4,700 mg of potassium a day, a goal most don’t reach. Broccoli has 468 mg of potassium per serving.
If your loved one has difficulty shopping for groceries or preparing nutritious meals, consider adding a professional caregiver to your family’s caregiving team. The type of home care Livingston seniors need can vary. Some need assistance a few hours a day, while others require more extensive around-the-clock assistance. At Assisting Hands Home Care, we tailor our care plans based on each senior’s individual care needs, and the plans can be adjusted at any time. We are a trusted provider of respite and 24-hour care, and we also offer specialized Alzheimer’s, dementia, Parkinson’s, and stroke care for seniors.
Kale
Kale is a versatile superfood that can be added to smoothies, cooked in place of spinach, added to soup, or eaten raw in a salad. This flavorful leafy green is packed with omega-3 fatty acids, which may guard against dementia and memory problems. It’s also a great source of calcium to support the bones and lutein to support eye health.
Oatmeal
The main benefit of oatmeal is its high amount of soluble fiber, which lowers cholesterol. Men are at increased risk for high cholesterol and heart disease by the age of 45, although a daily serving of oatmeal can go a long way toward reducing this risk. Eating just 5-10 more grams of soluble fiber a day can drop LDL cholesterol by up to 5 percent.
Aging in place can present a few unique challenges for older adults. Some only require part-time assistance with exercise or meal preparation, while others are living with serious illnesses and benefit more significantly from receiving live-in care. Livingston, NJ, Assisting Hands Home Care are leaders in the elderly in-home care industry for good reason. We tailor our care plans based on each senior’s individual needs, our caregivers continue to receive updated training in senior care as new developments arise, and we also offer comprehensive care for seniors with Alzheimer’s, dementia, and Parkinson’s. Assisting Hands Home Care can be your trusted partner in caregiving for your aging loved one. Contact one of our experienced Care Managers today to learn more about our reliable in-home care services.
