Senior Home Care in Oakbrook Terrace IL
Is your senior mom or dad malnourished? Even if they are eating regularly they could be malnourished. Many seniors are considered malnourished because they are not getting the nutrients that they need to be healthy. Seniors need to have a diet that contains a lot of fruits, vegetables, and lean protein to be healthy.
Often seniors don’t get enough protein because most protein comes from meat. Seniors may not want to eat meat for ethical reasons. Or, if they have medical conditions that make it difficult for them to do things like stand in front of the stove, lift a heavy pan, or hold a fork and knife so they can cut meat they may avoid eating meat.
If your senior mom or dad isn’t getting enough protein that can affect their muscle strength. Eating protein is essential for maintaining bone and muscle health. Senior home care is a good way to make sure that your senior parent is getting enough healthy food to eat. A senior home care provider can cook meals for your mom or dad and share those meals too. That way you can be sure that your senior parent is actually eating healthy meals each day.
Meat isn’t the only good source of protein for seniors. If your senior parent doesn’t want to eat meat or can’t eat meat these five foods are healthy alternatives that have a lot of protein:
Cottage Cheese
Cottage cheese is a protein powerhouse. And it’s very easy for seniors to eat. Cottage cheese has as much as 20 grams of protein per cup, which is more than a hamburger or steak. Cottage cheese is gentle on the stomach, which makes it fantastic for seniors. And it can be enjoyed in many different ways. It can be served as a savory protein source or as a sweet one, so your mom or dad can eat it for breakfast, dinner, or a snack.
Greek Yogurt
Greek yogurt also has about 20 grams of protein per cup, so if your mom or dad doesn’t like the texture of cottage cheese they can try eating Greek yogurt. Thick Greek yogurt can be sweetened with fruit for a delicious snack. Or, your mom or dad can add nuts, chia seeds, cereal, or other toppings to make a yogurt parfait. If your mom or dad has senior home care a senior home care provider can use Greek yogurt as a sour cream substitute to add more protein to things like tacos, lasagna, and other delicious meals.
Plant-Based Protein Products
Plant proteins are becoming very popular because they are a sustainable and affordable alternative to meat. Tempeh, seitan, and plant-based protein powders are great sources of protein. These can be used in stir-fries, sandwiches, smoothies, or as meat substitutes in various recipes. Typically, plant-based protein substitutes don’t have much flavor on their own but they take on the flavor of anything they are cooked with.
Eggs
Eggs are one of the best sources of protein because they are easy to cook, easy to find, and can be enjoyed in dozens of ways. A regular sized egg has about eight grams of protein, so eating 2-3 eggs is a great way for your mom or dad to get a large helping of protein at a meal.
Quinoa
Quinoa is the grain with the funny name. It cooks up like rice, but it’s soft. It’s got a nutty flavor that a lot of seniors like. And quinoa has slow-burning complex carbohydrates and about 14 grams of protein per cup. Replacing rice or pasta as a side dish with quinoa is a wonderful way for seniors to get the protein they need.
If You Or An Aging Loved One Are Considering Senior Home Care in Oakbrook Terrace, IL, Please Contact The Caring Staff At Assisting Hands Home Care – Lombard Today At (630) 313-6160.
Assisting Hands Home Care – Lombard Provides Exceptional Home Care For Seniors In Elmhurst, IL And The Surrounding Areas.
