Some nutrition experts suggest breakfast is the most important meal of the day and should only consist of healthy foods. This is especially true for seniors because many need help regulating their metabolisms and appetites, and they could often use a good boost of energy when they wake up. There are a multitude of nutrient-rich and cost-effective foods you can add to your senior loved one’s breakfast.
Make Oatmeal
Constipation is one of the most problematic ailments for many older adults. Oatmeal makes an excellent breakfast for seniors with constipation because it’s a high-fiber food and is easy to eat. Oatmeal has 4 grams of dietary fiber per cup, and it can be mixed with sliced fruit for added flavor and essential vitamins.
It’s not always easy to make sure your loved one eats healthy foods, especially if he or she lives alone. If your aging loved one needs help managing everyday tasks or encouragement to adopt healthier lifestyle choices, turn to Align Home Care, a leading provider of at-home care. Portland Align Home Care provides professional in-home caregivers around the clock to help seniors live longer, happier, and healthier lives.
Cook Eggs
According to a review in the 2008 issue of The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, the elderly require as much as 1.5 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight every day, which is nearly twice as high as the current recommended daily amount for younger adults. A single standard egg has 6 grams of protein, which you can prepare scrambled for your loved one for a tasty meal that’s easy to chew and swallow. If you need to trim the fat to help your loved one lose weight, try egg whites, which contain 3.6 grams of protein per egg.
Blend a Smoothie
A fruit smoothie is rich in essential vitamins and perfect for a drinkable breakfast, and you can add many different fruits to make a supercharged meal for your loved one. Smoothies aren’t the only healthy choice for seniors who want an easy-to-eat breakfast. A cup of applesauce, which contains 3 grams of fiber, is another suitable option.
If you usually prepare meals for your loved one along with managing all the other aspects of his or her daily needs, you may be susceptible to feeling burned out or overwhelmed, but help is available. Family caregivers sometimes need a break from their caregiving responsibilities. When they need respite care, Portland families can rely on professional caregivers to help their senior loved ones remain safe at home.
Serve Cottage Cheese
Seniors who need to gain weight may benefit from the healthy fats found in cottage cheese. This food contains 0.3 grams of monounsaturated fats and 1.8 grams of polyunsaturated fats in each serving. Because cottage cheese is a dairy product, it’s also high in protein, with 25 grams per cup. Mix the cottage cheese with crushed pineapple for some added sweetness and vitamin C.
Offer Toast with Almond Butter
Whole-wheat toast is full of fiber and a great way to quickly boost your loved one’s energy. However, just as with many other food products, it’s important to find bread that’s free of dyes, extra sugar, and preservatives. As an alternative to peanut butter, which is often loaded with sodium and unhealthy fats, almond butter has a delicious taste and is packed with protein.
Try a Frittata
A frittata is essentially a quiche that doesn’t have a thick crust. This dish can be filled with almost any vegetable or protein source, including spinach, bell peppers, ground turkey, and sausage. Your loved one can either use the entire egg as the base for this dish or remove the yolk to lower the fat content. Depending on the vegetables and meats that are added, a frittata might contain fiber, zinc, iron, potassium, and vitamins A through K.
Nutrition is important for seniors to remain healthy in their golden years, and breakfast is a great way to start the day off with the vitamins and nutrients your loved one needs most. Maintaining a high quality of life can be challenging for some seniors, but professional caregivers can help them obtain this goal. Families can trust homecare experts to help their elderly loved ones focus on lifestyle choices that increase the chances of living a longer and healthier life. If your loved one needs professional home care, Align Home Care is here to help. Call one of our dedicated Care Managers today at (207) 835-3490 to learn about the high quality of our in-home care services.