Nutrition and Meal Planning for Seniors with Special Diets
Eating well is important at any age, but for seniors with special dietary needs, getting adequate nutrition becomes even more essential. By planning meals in advance, you can make sure you’re incorporating a wide range of foods while taking some of the guesswork out of meal prep – and staying in line with their doctor’s recommendations.
Practical Tips for Those with Dietary Requirements
Adjusting one’s diet due to age-related conditions can be difficult, especially for someone who loves cooking or simply looks forward to delicious food during the day. Whether you have diabetes, high blood pressure, or another condition that requires certain food modifications, try the following meal planning strategies to make your new eating habits healthier and more enjoyable.
Look for Appealing Recipes
When creating a meal plan, there is no shortage of places to look for inspiration. For those who need recipes that are low in sodium, the DASH Eating Plan and Mayo Clinic’s website are both great places to start. Meanwhile, Eating Well has a section featuring low-fat and fat-free recipes that prioritize flavor. Sometimes, simply walking through a grocery store, like Earth Mother Health Foods in nearby Farmington, can spark creative meal ideas.
Incorporate a Variety of Foods
Most seniors on special diets can benefit from eating Omega-3s, fiber-rich items, colorful veggies, and lean proteins. Consider pairing foods with these qualities together to boost their overall nutritional impact. For example, you can add easy-to-prepare breakfasts like low-fat cottage cheese with berries into your regular rotation.
Related Reading: The Importance of Fiber for Seniors
Add Flavor & Tasty Substitutes
Remember: eating healthy doesn’t have to mean sacrificing taste. You can easily add flavor to dishes without increasing the amount of sodium or fat. Try using herbs, citrus juice, vinegar, and healthy fats, such as avocado, to enhance the richness of meals. Need a good substitute for cheese? Nutritional yeast has a similar flavor, can be sprinkled on dishes like pasta, and is packed with B vitamins and protein.
Try Batch Cooking
Batch cooking can make life a lot easier when you’re watching what you eat. Choose a few meals to prepare that fit your dietary requirements; then freeze them in individual servings. Soups and casseroles are particularly easy to cook in batches and can be stored frozen for several months.
Get Professional Support
If you could use additional support handling dietary needs, the Farmington area offers a variety of resources, including:
- Parkland Health Center Nutritional Health Counseling: Provides expertise for individuals with heart disease, high cholesterol, diabetes, gluten sensitivity, and much more.
- Fitness Plus at St. Francis Medical Center: Offers services with registered dieticians.
- American Heart Association, Missouri chapter: Features information and news on its website and also hosts community events.
- Aging Matters: Balanced meals are available to those over the age of 60. They can home deliver if the senior doesn’t have transportation to the center.
Visiting Angels Can Help Seniors Eat Well
Managing dietary restrictions may feel intimidating at times, but you don’t have to go it alone. At Visiting Angels Farmington/Cape Girardeau, our caregivers understand how crucial it is for seniors to receive proper nutrition. For further help eating healthy, reach out today to learn more about our comprehensive home care service options. Our care providers will happily assist with nutritious meal planning, preparation, and post-meal cleanup.
To schedule a free consultation, simply send us a message or call 573-664-1722.