Keeping a choosy eater well-fed isn’t as easy as it seems. What you keep in your loved one’s fridge and pantry can help her to have some healthy snacks and light meals if you plan properly.
Canned or Fresh Fruits
Fruit contains vitamins, minerals, and fiber. It’s also a tasty way to assuage a sweet tooth, if your loved one has one of those. Canned fruits last a bit longer, but fresh fruit is optimal. Choose varieties that you already know your loved one enjoys and keep them front and center so they’re a primary choice.
Assorted Nuts and Seeds
Nuts and seeds are an excellent option for fiber, healthy oils, and some minerals and vitamins, too. They’re also easy to parcel out into single-serving zippered plastic bags. You can store some in the freezer so that they stay fresh, but otherwise they’re portable, too, so your loved one can take them with her for an on-the-go snack.
Nut Butters
If your loved one has a difficult time eating nuts and seeds, nut butters are an excellent second choice. Be careful that the ones you select for your loved one are free of too much added sugar or salt. Both are used to preserve the nut butter, but they can be too much if your loved one is on a restricted diet.
Yogurt or Cottage Cheese
Yogurt, particularly Greek yogurt, is high in protein and probiotics. It’s also easy to eat, so if your loved one has difficulty with chewing, it’s a good choice. Cottage cheese is also both easy to eat and full of protein. Keeping either on hand gives your loved one a fast choice that your loved one can dress up with fruit or keep plain.
Oatmeal
Oatmeal, especially whole grain varieties, is full of fiber. It’s easy to make and you can make several servings at once to keep in the fridge for a few days. Dress it up with nuts, fruits, and even nut butters to give it added flavor.
Canned Soups
If you choose low-sodium varieties, canned soups are a really easy choice for your loved one. They reheat quickly and they can be very filling. Check the ingredient labels before buying to make sure that the variety you’re choosing is right for your loved one.
Having some of these items on hand can be especially helpful for family members or elderly care providers so that they can make sure your loved one is getting at least a little nutrition.
If you or an aging senior are considering hiring in-home elderly care in Denton, TX, please contact the caring staff at Ray of Sunshine today! (940) 442-5374.
At the same time, she and her husband were faced with the care of his father on the west coast which presented the unique challenges of long-distance care. These events led to a crash course in the senior care industry and her unending dedication to helping seniors and families in similar circumstances. When not working Cynthia enjoys cooking, gardening and traveling with a focus on visiting State and National Parks.
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