By Anna Hazard
Introduction
While the colder months of winter are not known for their abundance of produce & other natural foods as with the other milder seasons, there still remain certain herbs, fruits, vegetables, and types of meat that reach their peak taste or availability around this time of year. In addition, there are other edible plants that are hardy enough to retain their growth even through the frost & thus will also still be available locally fresh.
The following recipes focus on fresh natural ingredients easily available during the winter with an emphasis on those that provide nutrition particularly beneficial for seniors during this time of year. This includes fatty fish & other sources for the Vitamin D not absorbed through direct exposure to sunlight, citrus fruits for fighting off colds, flus, and other infections abundant during winter, as well as dark leafy greens, root vegetables, and winter squashes that are nutrient dense & reach their peak taste after the first frost. This is a phenomenon often known as frost-curing or frost-touched where certain crucifers, cabbages, roots, and tubers produce sucrose from their stockpiled starches in order to help protect the plant from the incoming cold.
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By Anna Hazard
Introduction
This is the time of year when friends & family tend to gather around the dinner table and when it comes to preparing meals suitable for senior loved ones a few guidelines should be kept in mind.
For seniors who have dentures, missing teeth, or other troubles when it comes to chewing or swallowing, food should be on the softer side and kept in small, bite-sized portions. Whips, creams, mousses, smoothies, and other blended ingredients can be used for those with more severe forms of dysphagia. As many seniors tend to lose aspects of their sense of taste, meals can be compensated by using more seasonings and spices (with salt still being held at a minimum for those who may have high blood pressure). Food meant for older adults who have lessened appetites should also have a high nutritional content to make up for the smaller portions. Here is a sampling of senior appropriate recipes using tastes, ingredients, and styles that are traditionally associated with Thanksgiving and other autumn meals. Recipes
By Anna Hazard
Introduction
What often first comes to mind when the word 'Halloween' is said usually involves mobs of kids with sugary treats & less-than-nutritional candy. Yet that doesn't have to be so. Halloween is a holiday that can be enjoyed by all different ages with more healthy snacks subbed in for those treats that taste good but provide no other benefit.
These particular Halloween themed recipes focus on low to no sugar, natural ingredients, and are easy to serve or chew & swallow and thus quite suitable for seniors that may have hand dexterity or swallowing problems. Recipes
By Roger Sims
Photo by Shutterstock
There are many reasons why older adults may start to lose weight. For many seniors, maintaining a healthy weight can be difficult.
As your loved ones get older, their appetite and interest in food may start to wane, meaning they are less motivated to eat and more prone to weight loss. This can be expedited by loss of smell and taste, as this obviously makes food less enjoyable and can contribute to a loss of interest in eating. A reluctance to eat can also be caused by the effects of various medications, the natural slowing down of the metabolism, or difficulty with digestion, all of which can contribute to weight loss and malnutrition.
By Anna Hazard
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Milkshakes
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By Anna Hazard
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Introduction
With the bountiful supply of in-season produce and the rising temperatures that make indoor cooking far less attractive, meal plans for this time of year tend to focus on inexpensive & easily obtained vegetables, fruits, and herbs that can be prepared without cooking and served while chilled. In season proteins include a bevy of seafood that provides senior-friendly nutrients & beneficial fats without the drawbacks of high calories & saturated fats that are present in other types of meat.
Remember that some recipes may need to be tweaked to best fit the needs of a certain senior (corn-on-the-cob is a well known summer treat, but those fresh kernels can still be enjoyed by those without strong teeth or jaw power) and that certain styles of food (such as raw seafood with its potential for food poisoning complications) should be avoided for overall senior health.
Remember that some recipes may need to be tweaked to best fit the needs of a certain senior (corn-on-the-cob is a well known summer treat, but those fresh kernels can still be enjoyed by those without strong teeth or jaw power) and that certain styles of food (such as raw seafood with its potential for food poisoning complications) should be avoided for overall senior health.
Meal Components
Cold Salads
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By Anna Hazard
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Introduction
Seniors tend to be more vulnerable to dangerous bouts of food poisoning due to more weakened immune systems and chronic illnesses such as diabetes, cardiovascular conditions, and gastrointestinal disorders that become more common with age. Medications taken for such conditions also pose a greater risk of possible side effects. Further complications can arise from older adults producing less stomach acid with which to combat ingested bacteria or having weakened kidneys being unable to properly filter it from the blood. Seniors are also more likely to have degenerating eyesight and sense of smell that keeps them from noticing signs of spoilage.
By Anna Hazard
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Introduction
Summer is a particularly good time to begin focusing on maintaining a more balanced diet, especially as previous studies indicate that fewer than 15% of older adults consume the recommended amount of daily fruits & vegetables within the USA. This is a time of year where many produce can be found fresh, in-season, and available from a bevy of different local sources, many of which may not be available during colder months. Some examples include farmer's markets, corner fruit stands, open farms & orchards, as well picking produce from your own gardens & fruits trees. Local in-season produce also tends to be less expensive, without the additional costs of having to transport & store produce from faraway locations, while also being more flavorful & nutritious due its freshness.
By Anna Hazard
Introduction
Spring, known as a season of rebirth and new beginnings, is often considered a good time to ring in the new with freshly awakened motivations for starting a healthier lifestyle & diet. The same is true for seniors, who can enjoy the opportunities (not to mention the fresh bounties) brought forth by the warming weather.
After the winter months have passed, many types of produce will be more plentiful and much less expensive to acquire due to the added costs of out-of-season fruits & vegetables needing to be transported from further away (California or Florida for those still USA grown with other popular exporters being Mexico and Central America). Locally grown produce also tends to be more flavorful and nutrient-rich as importing from out-of-state or out-of-country often requires that produce be harvested before they have fully ripened, requires chemicals to preserve or induce ripening, or leaves the fruit or vegetables past their peak time of freshness once they've hit the store shelves.
After the winter months have passed, many types of produce will be more plentiful and much less expensive to acquire due to the added costs of out-of-season fruits & vegetables needing to be transported from further away (California or Florida for those still USA grown with other popular exporters being Mexico and Central America). Locally grown produce also tends to be more flavorful and nutrient-rich as importing from out-of-state or out-of-country often requires that produce be harvested before they have fully ripened, requires chemicals to preserve or induce ripening, or leaves the fruit or vegetables past their peak time of freshness once they've hit the store shelves.
By Anna Hazard
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Part 1 - Introduction to Gout
Dietary Recommendations
A low purine diet is not a cure for those suffering from gout, yet it may help decrease the levels of uric acid present within the body which may help lower the risk of a flare-up as well as slow down the progression of joint damage with chronic gout. When it comes to a gout prevention diet, a balanced diet that skimps on processed foods and which will help maintain a healthy weight is recommended.
Complex carbs such as fruits and vegetables should be sought out over simple/refined carbohydrates such as pastries, sweetened beverages, and high fructose corn syrup. Saturated fats found in red meat, poultry, oil, butter, mayonnaise, salad dressing, cheese, whole milk, and cream should be kept to a minimum with plant oils such as virgin olive, canola, and sunflower used in their stead.
Most proteins in the diet should come from plants, secondarily from fish, then poultry, and finally red meat (lean meat only, no more than 4 - 6 ounces per day).
Complex carbs such as fruits and vegetables should be sought out over simple/refined carbohydrates such as pastries, sweetened beverages, and high fructose corn syrup. Saturated fats found in red meat, poultry, oil, butter, mayonnaise, salad dressing, cheese, whole milk, and cream should be kept to a minimum with plant oils such as virgin olive, canola, and sunflower used in their stead.
Most proteins in the diet should come from plants, secondarily from fish, then poultry, and finally red meat (lean meat only, no more than 4 - 6 ounces per day).
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News updates, tips, and guides on senior care, senior health, stress relief and a host of other caregiving related topics from the professionals at Ella Stewart Care.