With age, the senses tend to decrease, and a loss of taste can create some challenges when it comes to planning a senior’s meals. Further complicating matters, many seniors must follow special diets that limit the use of common flavoring agents such as salt, sugar, and fat. Fortunately, nature has provided many delectable ways to make delicious food that will stimulate the senior palate. Here are some of the healthiest ways to add flavor to meals.
Flavor with Herbs
A shake of salt may provide instant flavor, but there are much healthier ways to spice up a dish. Herbs and spices can have health-boosting benefits while also contributing extra flavor to meals. Try cooking with fresh cilantro, oregano, and rosemary. Dried herbs, such as dill, can also be placed on the table instead of salt so your loved one can adjust the flavoring of the food while still following healthy dietary guidelines.
Helping aging adults get proper nutrition can be exhausting, so it’s important for family caregivers to make time to attend to their own wellbeing. Whether you need respite from your caregiving duties or your aging loved one needs live-in care, Rhode Island Home Care Assistance can meet your family’s care needs. Our dedicated caregivers are available around the clock to provide transportation to doctor’s appointments, ensure seniors take their prescribed medications, and help with a variety of tasks in and outside the home.
Experiment with Texture
The texture of food also plays an important role in the sensations a person experiences while eating. Many seniors prefer soft foods that are easy to chew and swallow. Try making creamy stews with softened chunks of vegetables, or add pasta to a salad. Mashed potatoes can also be added to soups in place of cream to increase the texture without adding fat.
Sweeten with Vegetables
Seniors tend to be able to taste sweet foods longer, which can lead them to prefer unhealthy treats over nutritious meals. However, many vegetables contain natural sugars that can be accentuated by using the right cooking techniques. Carrots, sweet potatoes, and bell peppers can all turn sweet when browned or baked. Try adding these to the plate to satisfy your loved one’s sweet tooth.
A trained caregiver can provide additional support with preparing healthy meals your loved one will enjoy. Not every senior has the same care needs, which means they don’t all need the same type of elderly home care. You can rely on Home Care Assistance to provide an individualized care plan to meet your elderly loved one’s unique care needs. Our holistic Balanced Care Method was designed to help seniors focus on healthy lifestyle habits, such as eating nutritious foods, exercising regularly, and maintaining strong social ties, and our Cognitive Therapeutics Method offers mentally stimulating activities that can stave off cognitive decline and delay the onset of dementia.
Cook with Good Fats
Unsaturated fats can raise good cholesterol levels while enhancing the flavor of meals. It’s easiest to recognize healthy fats by looking for oils and foods that come from natural sources. Olive oil, avocado, and salmon all have strong flavors that can contribute to a delicious meal while staying within heart-healthy guidelines if used in moderation.
Maintaining a high quality of life can be challenging for some seniors, but professional caregivers can help them attain this goal. Families can trust Rhode Island senior care experts to help their elderly loved ones focus on lifestyle choices that increase the chances of living longer and healthier lives. If you need professional care for your loved one, Home Care Assistance is just a phone call away. Reach out to one of our Care Managers today at (401) 284-0979.