There comes a time in everyone’s life where there is a drastic change in one’s taste buds or the foods they would like to eat. This is especially true in the case of the elderly who cannot eat the same foods they used to with ease due to several reasons. Regardless, of whatever the issue is, you should always make sure that the elderly are provided with easy-to-make yet healthy recipes.
If your elderly loved one find it hard to eat due to hand tremors, you may also read our Guide to Selecting Tools and Equipment for the Elderly with Hand Tremors for more options and recommendations.
At this stage, nutrition is another important factor you need to consider since the body becomes relatively fragile and weak. We have put together a list of some easy, flavorful, and nutrient-dense recipes that are easy to chew and digest if you plan on making meals for an adult who has otherwise difficulty eating regular meals.
What foods are good for elderly parents?
According to the World Health Organization, the majority of the diseases senior citizens suffer from are due to poor diet. For instance, seniors who tend to consume high-fat foods tend to have relatively more chances of developing cancer. Furthermore, diet has also been directly linked with diseases such as diabetes and osteoporosis. Seniors also suffer from a deficiency of micronutrients because they lack diversity in their diets. If they are provided the same meals throughout the week, the body will not be able to receive the proper amounts of nutrients. This is why diversity in meals is essential at this stage.
What is a good lunch for seniors?
Although lunch is probably the most important meal of the day for some elderly, you need to be careful not to overburden it. Remember, meals should be provided in modesty. A fair share of proteins, carbohydrates, and calcium, etc. will be the ideal meal. Therefore, when it comes to offering a good lunch, it is recommended that the elderly are provided a freshly made fruit and vegetable drink. Plus, you can also offer milk but studies suggest that offering greens is comparatively better than milk when it comes to providing calcium.
Easy Breakfast Recipes for the Elderly
Banana Spice Smoothie
Talking about an appetizer, you can offer the senior a glass of banana spice smoothie, which is a classic and delicious breakfast drink. When it comes to cooking for the elderly, you have to consider ease of chewing and digestion. With that being said, this recipe that packs some spices and kefir will help with digestion and keep inflammation under control. Since kefir contains a large concentration of vitamin B12, it is highly recommended for seniors.
Pumpkin Oatmeal
When the cool fall and winter mornings set in, there is nothing better than providing a warm, tasty bowl of oatmeal. Since this recipe contains canned pumpkin offering extra vitamins and minerals, the elderly are going to receive one powerful meal. This recipe is also packed with vitamin A and C along with rich dietary fibers. Although oatmeal is amongst the easy recipes but some seniors might not like its taste. Therefore, you can throw in some alternatives to make it taste better.
Easy Lunch Recipes for the Elderly
Homemade Creamy Vegetable Soup
As mentioned earlier, lunch can be the most important meal for most seniors but you have to be careful. Anything that puts the digestive system under stress and burden should be avoided. The homemade creamy vegetable soup in that respect is both easy to make and super healthy. Despite its name, it is made from whole milk rather than cream, making it a healthier alternative to regular creamy vegetable soup. The large concentration of vegetables along with dairy ensures that the elderly receives an extra dosage of vitamin B12 and other nutrients.
Healthy Spinach & Mushroom Omelette
If you have a senior in the house who loves and prefers a hardy, wholesome lunch, then a veggie-loaded omelet is going to be the most fantastic way to start things off. Not only is the omelet with spinach and mushroom light but also packs healthy nutrients and vitamins. For instance, eggs happen to be an excellent source of vitamin B12 and the veggies will help you gain vitamin A and B6 in addition to extra potassium and magnesium.
Easy Dinner Recipes for the Elderly
Easy Chicken Enchilada Casserole
If the elderly love to munch on some chicken enchilada and cheese for dinner, then this is going to be the best option out there. It is a simple and flavorful dish that makes it an accessible dinner option, especially for the seniors. The reason is that this casserole is filled with decadent flavors to the brim. Plus, it is also a great option for those who experience difficulty while chewing.
One-Pot Garlic Pasta
Pasta is a great food for seniors who have chewing concerns. One-Pot Garlic Pasta is going to be a great meal for the night, providing important vitamins and minerals especially if you opt for whole-grain pasta. Garlic is ideal for immunity and digestion, while the addition of butter and chicken stock in this pasta is going to throw in some extra vitamin B12.
Final Word
Even though seniors are proven to thrive when they are provided nutritious meals but sometimes, providing nutritious meals becomes a bit challenging. You will have to experiment and observe what the elderly prefer and keep things balanced in terms of nutrition and taste. The above-mentioned meals in that respect are going to help you decide what is best for the elderly you are looking after.
There are times when seniors find it difficult to open jars and cans due to arthritic hands when they are cooking. To help them, check out our list of the Best Easy Jar Openers for Arthritic Hands for tips and recommendations.