Although many seniors should be eating fresh options, they should also eat what’s in season. This can be exceptionally hard to do, depending on what region you live in. There may be times in the winter when canned options are a senior’s best option. Luckily, some canned foods are better than others, but what are the healthiest options? If you or senior home care providers are wondering what canned foods are best for seniors’ health, look at this list below.

Understanding Canned Foods

Senior Home Care Reedley CA – Best Canned Foods for Seniors

Canned goods often use produce gathered and stored at the height of freshness and canned within hours. That’s why canned goods in the pantry department may be “fresher” than their produce section counterparts, especially during winter. It’s only sometimes the worst solution to have a backup of canned fruits and vegetables in a senior’s home. Some of the minerals and vitamins are increased during the canning process and may have much more than the “fresh” fruits and vegetables shipped. During the shipping process, they may lose nutritional value compared to a canned item.

Overall, a senior should be focused on a healthy diet that their doctor recommends. Eating by season is a great way to get the freshest food possible and also eat locally. However, in the winter, it can be hard to get the foods a senior wants, so they may have to use canned goods. Look for these items next time you or in-home care hits the store for your senior.

Canned Fruits

Although too much of canned fruit can have a lot of sugar, this is not the worst option when it comes to finding fruits for each day. Add some canned fruit into a yogurt bowl, and you have a fresh and fruity snack that is not unhealthy. You can find canned peaches, pears, and more in the canned aisle at your local grocery store.

Canned Meats

Believe it or not, there are tons of canned meat options that have a very long shelf life and make a great nutrient-rich snack. You can find canned chicken, tuna, salmon, and more. This can all be made into a salad or even a grilled panini for lunch. It is also a great way to make salmon or tuna cakes! Many of these options are low carb and low calorie making it a perfect option for a senior in the winter.

Canned Vegetables

Some seniors may not like certain canned vegetables because they can become soggy or mushy. However, there are other canned vegetables like water chestnuts that can be added to soup and still have a fantastic crunch to them. You may have to experiment with what vegetables your senior likes the most. They can use these to make a delicious stew in the winter and not miss any of the nutrients they would by skipping vegetables entirely.

Canned Tomatoes

In the winter, it can be super hard to find the right tomatoes, and a lot of them have been shipped from overseas, which makes them less tasty and less nutritional. Instead, opt for a canned tomato to increase a stew or even make spaghetti!

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

Private Duty Home Care in Fresno, Madera, Kern Counties, and surrounding communities. Call us 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

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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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