5 Holiday Meal Planning and Prep Tips for Seniors
The holidays are a time for festivities, family, and indulgent feasts. However, with the average American consuming up to 4,500 calories during their holiday celebrations, those rich dishes may do more harm than good.
Older adults must avoid overindulgence to feel their best, even during the holiday season. Healthy eating habits have been shown to improve heart health, promote strong bones, reduce weight, and support overall health and well-being.
5 Healthy Meal Planning Tips for Scranton Seniors
Want to enjoy a delicious holiday meal that’s also highly nutritious? Here are five tips to consider.
1. Make a Game Plan, But Keep It Simple
The holiday season is pretty hectic. Older adults may have little time to plan and prepare their holiday feasts between gift shopping, wrapping presents, and attending events. However, it’s essential to be ready. Develop a simple, straightforward plan with three to five healthy meal ideas. These can include entrees, sides, and desserts. Make sure the recipes are nutritious and easy to make. Check your pantry to see if you have any ingredients you can use before buying new ones.
2. Focus on Nutrient-Dense Foods
Not all foods are created equal. To whip up holiday meals that really pack a healthy punch, older adults should prioritize nutrient and water-dense foods. This helps them stay healthy and hydrated. Some good foods to incorporate into your holiday recipes include hydrating fruits and veggies, lean meats, seafood, peas, milk, whole grains, nuts, beans, and eggs.
3. Consider a Grocery Delivery Service
Is the weather outside less than delightful? Snow, sleet, and ice can increase the risk of slips, trips, and falls. If you’re cautious about driving in snowy weather conditions, consider trying a grocery delivery service like DoorDash or Instacart. You can easily download the app to your phone and have all of your groceries delivered right to your door.
Want to shop for groceries yourself but are still hesitant to drive? Visiting Angels of Scranton, PA, provides reliable caregiving services to assist seniors throughout Lackawanna and parts of Wyoming counties.
4. Make It a Family Affair
Cooking a three-course feast for your family can be overwhelming. To save time and energy, ask your loved ones to help out. You can host a potluck and ask everyone to bring a dish. You can also ask your adult children or grandkids to lend a hand in the kitchen.
Want to skip cooking altogether? Order out from your favorite restaurant. Just make sure the meal is a healthier option.
5. Hire a Caregiver
If you’re a Scranton senior who needs some help around the house, Visiting Angels of Scranton, PA, can assist! Our in-home caregivers can help with meal planning and preparation and light housekeeping, such as doing the dishes.
Contact Visiting Angels of Scranton, PA, Today
Visiting Angels of Scranton, PA, offers award-winning caregiving solutions to seniors across the region. We help with a variety of non-medical tasks so that your loved one can spend more time enjoying the season and less time managing their household.
Call our agency at 570-800-5270. We’d love the opportunity to talk about how our in-home care services can benefit your family!