Guide to Summer Food for Seniors - Part 4 - Summer Drinks

By Anna Hazard

View the Rest of the Series

Part 1 : In Season Foods
Part 2 : Food Safety
Part 4 : Summer Meals

Introduction

Keeping seniors properly hydrated is of special concern in the summer when 40% of all heat-related fatalities occur amongst people 65+ in the USA. The elderly become more vulnerable to dehydration due to several factors ranging from body water content, thirst & heat detection, and kidney function naturally decreasing with age as well as the presence of other underlying medical conditions & the medications required to control them.
 
In addition, many seniors have a deteriorating sense of taste that makes them less likely to eat or drink in sufficient quantity. To help counteract this, here are a sampling of various tasty & healthy recipes for drinks made of readily available ingredients in the summer time.

Drink Recipes

There is lots of overlapping between the types of beverages listed below with some drinks falling into more than 1 category depending upon exactly how the ingredients are prepared, blended, or otherwise tweaked. Differences in the drinks are mostly based on the level of pureeing, blending, or straining required, upon the presence or absence of dairy, dairy derivatives, or dairy substitutes, as well as the average thickness in consistency of a particular style of beverage.

Milkshakes

• These types of drinks are distinguished by their use of dairy or dairylike substitutes(which usually takes the form of milk or ice cream) as their base. Almond milk, rice milk, and soy based ice creams can be subbed in for those lactose intolerant. The consistency of shakes are thicker than juices or water and often come frothy. The addition of healthy fruits (using their inherent fructose instead of adding in extra processed sugar) makes these good alternatives for seniors who may have trouble chewing or swallowing.
• Guilt-Free Strawberry Milkshake | Berry-Mango-Almond Shake | Mango Lassi | Cantaloupe Banana Coconut Shake | Watermelon Milkshake
  

Smoothies

• Similar in consistency to milkshakes, smoothies may have added dairy or dairylike alternatives,  but unlike shakes, their base and greater percentage is comprised of blended fruit. This makes them a popular drink during the "fruitful" months of summer. Unlike slushies, which may have chunks of ice present, all other ingredients within these drinks should be blended down to the "smooth" consistency promised within its name. This makes this type of drink another healthy choice as a dessert or diet supplement for those seniors with chewing problems.
• Good Green Tea Smoothie | Cucumber, Mint & Melon Smoothies | Blueberry Brain-Boost Smoothie | Spicy Anti-Inflammatory Smoothie | Pineapple Zucchini Smoothie
  

Slushies

• Unlike milkshakes & smoothies, slushies tend to have ice as its base with a greater percentage comprised of water than other ingredients. While it remains in liquid beverage form (in comparison to popsicles, granita, and sorbet), slushies may contain chunks of unblended ice. Store-bought slushies made by specialized slushie machines are comprised of mixture of sugar and water to keep the drink from freezing solid. Home made slushies that are meant to be immediately served can skip the sugar for healthier fruit alternatives.
• Keep in mind that while grapefruit is a nutritious fruit, it also conflicts with certain medications such as statins that lower cholesterol, antibiotics, and heart medications. Remember to check your senior loved one's medications for any possible drug interactions.
• Grapefruit Slush | Strawberry Watermelon Summer Slush Recipe |  Cantaloupe & Lime Slush | Lemon Mint Slush | Raspberry Green Tea Slushie
  

Mocktails

• Cocktails without the alcohol, these drinks can be fun callbacks to younger times for a senior loved one without the worries of any potential medicinal side effects from spirits. For healthier treats, stick with fruit-based mocktails over their more sugary or syrupy counterparts. Recipes that call for concentrated or frozen fruit juice can have freshly blended fruits subbed in instead. Add in hot peppers & spices for an added bit of bite that the virgin versions of these drinks may be missing.
• Strawberries and Coconut Water | Faux Champagne | Melon Cooler |  Jalapeno Watermelon Limeade | Sweet and Zingy Mocktail
  

Fruit Juice

• A summer staple, homemade & freshly squeezed or blended fruit juices offer more nutritional benefit without the added sugars & preservatives that come from prepackaged juice. Juices tend to be of thinner consistency than fruit smoothies & shakes and thus may require a thickener for those senior loved ones who have trouble with swallowing or with aspiration. Also keep in mind that all fruits naturally possess the sugar fructose, so some moderation in consumption may be required for those with medical conditions triggered by sugar (especially when it comes to naturally high fructose fruits such as apples, grapes, blueberries, pomegranates, lychees, pears, and quinces)
• Cucumber and Mint Lemonade | Watermelon Juice | Summer Cantaloupe, Cucumber & Mint Green Juice | Strawberry Ginger Juice | Berry Burst Juice | Peach Berry Juice
  

Veggie Juice

• A more savory variation of juice, these drinks tend to be served as snacks or appetizers rather than as drinks meant to hydrate during meals. For those who have trouble chewing solid foods, a good blending of several vegetables will be very beneficial in helping to reach their daily vitamin, dietary fiber, & other nutrient quotient. Vegetables have a lower amounts of fructose sugar & calories than fruits, thus this variation of summer drink is one of the most healthy options available.
• Beauty & the Beet Juice | Summer Fresh V6 Vegetable Juice | Spinach Lemonade | Yellow Bell Pepper Juice | Fresh & Spicy Summer Veggie Juice
  

Flavored Water

• These drinks contain the highest ratio of water to other ingredients for those who want to stay hydrated while keeping calorie intake low. A good option for those who have trouble chewing as there are no solid ingredients, its thin consistency will require thickeners for those with trouble swallowing. With its light flavoring, this type of drink is a particularly good choice for those who find vegetable or fruit juices too strongly flavored for their tastes. However, seniors with degenerated taste buds may find the flavoring too mild to detect unless spicy ingredients such as hot peppers are included.
• Watermelon & Jalapeño Infused Water | Blackberry Lemon Infused Water | Ginger Lime Water |  Strawberry Basil Water | Mango Mint Infused Water