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Summer ushers in warm breezes, sunshiny days, and a host of delicious fruits and vegetables. Eating nutritiously when the weather is perfect can be readily accomplished. Caregivers should encourage seniors to develop healthy eating habits during the bright days of summer.
Aging adults may have a beach vacation planned, so they aim to look slim and trim. Reaching a desired weight goal is best done through a proper diet and exercise. Conversely, seniors may wish to put on a few healthy pounds, since growing older can diminish appetite.
Older individuals have plenty of reasons to develop healthy eating habits, and this summer is the best time to put them into practice. All bodies, including aging ones, depend on an abundant supply of vitamins and minerals, healthy fats, and hydration to function optimally.
Habit 1: Make Summer Swaps
Outdoor activities abound during summer. Seniors might head to town to watch the Fourth of July parade, attend a family picnic, or vacation at a tropical destination. Sugary snacks and carbohydrates surround event attendees, making it hard to make healthy choices.
Healthy summer eating habits start with making swaps. Rather than dig a spoon into a tempting ice cream sundae, opt for creamy low-fat yogurt—a healthier choice. Shakes and smoothies can also be prepared using low-fat yogurt; combining either with nut butter creates a protein-packed snack.
Baking sweet treats is a year-round event. Seniors who bake this summer can transform a sweet treat into a healthier one by swapping refined sugar for honey, maple syrup, or dates. Naturally sweetened baked goods are not only delicious but nutritious.
Summertime swaps also include savory dishes. Salads are loaded with vitamin-rich vegetables but can be made unhealthy by ladling on the dressing. Instead, develop the healthy habit of using olive oil, balsamic vinegar, and a squeeze of lemon to add irresistible flavor.
Avocados are available all year but make a splash in summer. This fruit helps reduce the risk of developing chronic diseases when part of a balanced diet. Seniors are urged to eat plenty of avocados, topping toast with slices, blending them with smoothies or spreading them on sandwiches.
Habit 2: Hydrate
The scorching summer heat can intensify thirst. But older people’s sense of thirst diminishes as a natural part of aging, making it easy to become dehydrated. Caregivers are urged to ensure elderly care recipients remain adequately hydrated throughout the day.
Chilled glasses of water offer immediate hydration. If water tastes too bland, caregivers should serve glasses infused with flavor; simply drop a few raspberries or blueberries into the water to add zest. Healthy hydration also means avoiding high-fructose juices and lemonades.
Drinking water and other healthy beverages should be accompanied by eating foods that are abundant in water. Seniors can bite into a slice of watermelon, munch on handfuls of grapes, enjoy cucumbers in salads, and snack on celery sticks or carrots to increase their hydration this summer.
Habit 3: Seek Fresh Summer Foods
Seniors have little excuse to not eat healthy this summer, since farmers’ markets and roadside stands are loaded with the freshest locally grown fruits and vegetables. Skip the frozen meals and head to the farmer’s market with a caregiver to browse and pick farm-fresh foods.
Fruits and vegetables, like corn, heirloom tomatoes, strawberries, and squash, are in high demand during the peak summer season. Farmers’ markets also sell meats and cheeses, which contribute to a healthy diet. Select vine-ripened foods and prepare a delectable meal for a summertime picnic.
Habit 4: Pack Healthy Snacks for Travel
While traveling is exciting, it also provides numerous opportunities for unhealthy eating. Traveling seniors are surrounded by convenience foods, from cheeseburgers to French fries, at the airport or during long road trips. Older adults should make the decision to pick wisely.
Munching on a basket of golden fries might feel satisfying at first, but continuously opting for junk food leads to sluggishness, weight gain, and digestive issues. Instead, plan ahead and prepare healthy, travel-friendly snacks to last for the duration of the trip.
Snacks that are easy to eat and travel well include carrots or dried fruit, whole grain chips, cheese sticks, and berries. Bag these foods into single portions so they can be accessed anywhere, whether on the plane or while waiting in line at a tourist destination.
Summer is the best season to develop healthy eating habits, and it prepares seniors for the next six months of the year. Choosing a balanced diet is vital to reducing the risk of developing illnesses, like diabetes and osteoporosis, as well as helping seniors maintain a healthy weight.
Seniors, with the help of caregivers at Assisting Hands Home Care, can reduce their salt intake, opt for low-fat dairy products instead of whole fat, and include more spinach and milk in their diet to increase their calcium intake. Our home care agency prioritizes eating nutritiously and other healthy habits.
We offer a wide range of elderly home care services in Buffalo Grove, IL | Deerfield, IL | Grayslake, IL | Green Oaks, IL | Hawthorn Woods, IL | Highland Park, IL | Lake Forest, IL | Lake Zurich, IL | Lincolnshire, IL | Libertyville, IL | Mundelein, IL | Round Lake Beach, IL | Vernon Hills, IL and the surrounding areas. Our companion care is especially valued by families and their elderly loved ones, as it provides comprehensive non-medical care as well as companionship. Caregivers fulfill the everyday care needs of older adults in the comfort and familiarity of home.
Responsibilities include shopping for fresh groceries; we shop with seniors at the grocery store or farmer’s market. We then prepare nutritious meals in accordance with the senior’s dietary restrictions. Caregivers serve beverages to ensure the older adult remains hydrated throughout the day.
Companion care prevents older adults from feeling lonely and isolated. We keep seniors socially engaged with pleasant conversations, games, and outings. Included are personal care services, such as help with hygiene tasks, medication reminders, light housekeeping, transfer assistance, and fall-risk assessments.
Your aging loved one is fully supported by senior caregivers at Assisting Hands Home Care. Families have confidence in the quality and high level of compassion we offer. Call us at (224) 268-9068 to schedule a free in-home consultation and learn how our in-home care will benefit the senior in your life.
