Nutrition is an important part of helping with the care of your senior to manage her health as well as possible. Many health issues benefit greatly from your senior and her senior care aides making even small changes to her diet. These tips can help you to get started making a plan that will work for her.

Portion Sizes Are an Important Consideration in Food Preparation by Senior Care

Senior Care Reedley CA – Four Important Nutrition Tips for Your Senior

Most people exaggerate portion sizes, which means that they often end up eating a lot more of particular foods than they really think they’re eating. If your senior is trying to manage her weight, she might want to try weighing her foods to get more familiar with portion sizes. Eating until she’s just satisfied can also help.

Healthy Fats, Fruits, Vegetables, and Lean Protein Are Filling

Foods that are healthier for your senior tend to be more filling than foods with empty calories. Lean protein, healthy fats, and plenty of vegetables and fruits give her body something nutritive that she can work with to keep herself healthy. If she’s not used to eating these foods, she might feel frustrated that her food doesn’t taste the way she’s used to. It can help if senior care providers assist with prepping meals and snacks, so that she doesn’t have to work too hard to eat healthier.

Saturated and Trans Fats Aren’t as Healthy

Trans fats and saturated fats are the ones that are ones your senior should try to limit. The healthier fats, which include monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats, are found in avocados, olive oil, and nuts, like walnuts. Saturated fats are in foods like deli meats, which often also contain a lot of salt. Trans fats are the worst choice, because these are found in processed foods, snack cakes, and other foods that are full of empty calories.

Processed and Refined Foods Have Little Nutritive Value

Processed and refined foods don’t just contain trans fats, they also contain lots of sugar, salt, and refined grains. Refined grains are ones that have had all of their fiber and nutrients basically stripped from them. These foods can cause your elderly family member to feel awful, and they can make problems like diabetes and high blood pressure worse.

Talk to your senior’s doctor about what other nutritional needs your senior has. Making big dietary changes all at once can be difficult, so consider making smaller changes over time. As your senior feels better and sees results, she may find that it’s easier to embrace those changes.

If you or an aging loved one are considering Senior Care Services in Reedley CA, please contact the caring staff at Everlight Home Care today. Call us at 559-353-2847.

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Gina Kendall

Gina Kendall has over 25 years of work experience serving the aging and the disabled. Her extensive experience in care and management began as a Social Services Coordinator in skilled nursing facilities. While working in this capacity, she became aware of the need for, and the importance of, good, quality, home care. Gina worked with families to keep their loved ones home and avoid a return visit to the hospital. As she continued her career of service, she began working with the disabled population helping to expand and improve their independence throughout all aspects of life.

This combination of experiences has afforded Gina a unique view of the needs of the aging and the disabled and how to best serve those needs in a home setting.

Gina’s Central Valley roots run deep. She earned her BA degree from Fresno State in 1993 and has lived and worked in Fresno for the past 20 years. In addition to raising her family in Fresno, she is actively involved in her local church and is a volunteer for various local community organizations.

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