New Recipes to Try in the New Year

The new year is a popular time to reevaluate eating habits and make changes that contribute to better health. Seniors and their caregivers can work together to plan a healthier menu, shop for nutritious foods, and prepare delicious meals. The three recipes and corresponding health tips below encourage seniors and their caregivers to prioritize health this year and for many years to come.

Focus on Adding Protein to Each Meal This Year

One crucial addition seniors should try to include more of this year is protein. Protein is essential for supporting overall health as it plays a critical role in keeping muscles strong and functional. Healthy muscles are key to reducing the risks of falls and supporting daily activities. To maximize these benefits, seniors should aim to incorporate protein into each meal throughout the day.

3 New Recipes to Try in the New Year

The three meal suggestions below all incorporate great sources of protein like beans, meat, and eggs. In addition to incorporating these three new recipes into your meal routine, try adding a few snack breaks into your day. Healthy snacks include sliced fruit, crackers with peanut butter, and nuts. Remember to drink plenty of liquids, too, as hydration is just as important for your health.

1. Homemade Breakfast Burritos

Scrambled eggs in any breakfast burrito provide seniors with vital protein. Instead of bacon or traditional breakfast sausage, seniors can incorporate healthier meats like ground turkey, smoked salmon, or shredded chicken. Additional mix-ins include pinto beans, cherry tomatoes, broccoli, peppers, black beans, corn, avocado, jalapenos, and white rice.

2. Beans and Rice

Add a few cans of your favorite beans—white, pinto, or black—and brown rice, oats, or barley to a crockpot and set it to warm for most of the day. Later, you can enjoy a minimal lunch of beans and rice however you like them. Complement your basic meal with some sliced fruit, vegetables, or a slice of toast.

3. Homemade Chili

A simple chili recipe can turn any cold day into one of warm, nourishing goodness. The simplest chili recipe includes a can of tomato paste, a can of your favorite chili beans (or pinto beans, if you prefer), a pound of meat, a packet of chili seasoning—or your favorite spices, per your taste–and a few cans of water to reach your desired consistency. If you don’t want to use beef, you can substitute shredded chicken, chorizo, ground turkey, or lean pork.

Healthy Eating Tips for Seniors and Caregivers

Many healthy meals require preparation, but the time spent can greatly simplify meal times. Family caregivers can use the following tips to make meals more achievable and enjoyable for seniors:

• Balance the number of meals that require more preparation with a greater number of quick-serve meals to help accommodate seniors' energy levels and give them more flexibility in choosing what they eat.
• Incorporate more crockpot meals into the weekly menu to promote meal preparation in the morning, when seniors are more likely to be active and full of energy.
• Encourage seniors to pick healthy elements they can slowly integrate into their eating habits.

Caregivers can also help seniors with healthy meal planning by budgeting for nutritious foods, evaluating their preparation time, and assisting them in cooking meals they can reheat throughout the week. Seniors can also experiment with changes to their favorite recipes, swapping out the main protein or adding different spices to create an entirely new recipe.

Simplify Meal Planning and Preparation With Visiting Angels

Visiting Angels at Matawan caregivers welcome the opportunity to help seniors plan and prepare meals to ensure their health and safety. Our caregivers and care staff are dedicated to improving the quality of life of local seniors, especially through our recurring blog posts. Here are a few of the most recent posts:

• How Dining With Others Can Enhance Nutrition and Well-Being
• Be Safe Around the Home: Tips and Products
• Keep Your Senior Loved Ones Healthy This Winter
• 6 Tips to Help Seniors Manage Diabetes at Home

If you’d like to learn more about our senior home care services, contact us to schedule a free consultation. We’re happy to answer any questions you may have and collaborate on a personalized care plan designed for your aging loved one.