Diet is crucial for a senior to maintain a healthy life, especially if they wish to age in place. Nutrient-rich foods like nuts can help a senior maintain weight, energy levels and reduce risks of chronic disease. Eating healthy helps boost immune systems and keep a senior’s mind sharp instead of feeling sluggish all of the time.
Finding food for your loved one can be challenging, especially when there is so much misinformation online. Your senior should always be talking to a doctor or someone they trust with their health. When a doctor gives you directions on eating, you should always try to follow them. Here are some nuts a home care provider can prep for your senior loved one.
Cashews
One of the best things about cashews is they’re filled with protein which can help keep a senior full for longer. They are super low in calories, especially raw cashews, and they’re filled with dietary fiber, protein, and healthy fats. Cashews make one of the best snacks for a senior; the only downside is they can be relatively expensive. They are nuts that require a lot of labor to grow and process for consumption, so their cost is higher than other nuts. However, for a tasty snack, this is something that home care may want to pick up for your loved one.
Walnuts
If you’re worried about your seniors’ weight and the doctors say they need to gain more weight, they should snack on walnuts! These nuts are filled with protein and healthy fats, making them great for weight gain. In addition, walnuts are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which can reduce inflammation and boost heart health, making them a great option for seniors.
Almonds
When you think of snacking on nuts, you may automatically think of almonds. They are often the first found in the store, and they can be healthy. Eating almonds can help reduce the risk of heart disease, diabetes, and certain cancers. They can also help to lower LDL (“bad”) cholesterol levels, which is vital for seniors. Almonds are the perfect snack if a senior is trying to manage their weight!
Hazelnuts
These are funky nuts because you do have to prep them unless you get pre-peeled hazelnuts. They come with an outer shell that needs to be peeled before consumption. These nuts have tons of vitamins and minerals like vitamin E, folate, magnesium, and zinc. All of these are so important for health, and a senior needs a certain amount of each. Hazelnuts are not always on store shelves because they are typically harvested from August to October. These are also nuts that are more expensive in stores because they grow in clusters that have to be handpicked, unlike other nuts! Each tree also takes a long time to mature, which can impact the price of nuts.
If your senior needs to focus on diet, finding the right kind of nut can be crucial for them. All nuts have different flavors and textures; seniors may need to experiment to find the kind they like and how to eat them. Some nuts are best plain, in yogurt, or even on a salad. If you are worried about certain vitamins and minerals, it’s time to have home care help drive a senior to get some blood work done.
Reference
https://www.webmd.com/food-recipes/ss/slideshow-healthy-nuts
If you or an aging loved one is considering home care in Moraga, CA, please contact the caring staff at Golden Heart Senior Care of Walnut Creek. (925) 203-3039.
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