Winter Recipes for Seniors

By Anna Hazard

Introduction

Here are a small sampling of  recipes suitable for seniors in the cold winter months. The focus is on a meal plan, from appetizer to dessert to drinks, that will be both warming, easy-to-make & store, uses ingredients that will be in season & thus readily available during this time of year, and which possesses the necessary nutrients to help seniors fend off chills, colds, and other winter maladies.

Recipes

Winter Vegetable Soups

• Here are a sampling of warming & filling soup recipes based on winter bacon & vegetables (such as squash & root vegetables) readily available during the cold season. Feel free to sub in ingredients for what you may have in hand and to switch out any use of butter or cream with more healthy virgin olive oil or evaporated skim milk. More healthy versions of bacon include Canadian bacon, turkey bacon, smoked turkey or lean prosciutto.
• Hearty Winter Bacon and Vegetable Soup | Winter Vegetable Soup | Winter Root Vegetable Soup
  

Butternut Squash Bisque

• For those lighter eaters who may find the vegetable soups a bit too hearty, try these bisques based on butternut squashes and other readily available vegetables and spices. A good choice for those seniors who may have trouble chewing and swallowing.
• Check out the various Butternut Squash Bisque recipes at HHC Senior Services, SPE Certified, Civilized Caveman Cooking, and Cookie and Kate
  

Hot Turmeric Milk Tea

• Not only will the turmeric found in these milk teas help with inflammation (particularly useful for those struggling with arthritis in the cold weather), but the milk (whether it be skim cow's milk, or fortified almond or coconut milk) provides the needed Vitamin D that many seniors find themselves deficient in during the shorter days of winter. Include a dollop of coconut oil for the added heart health & anti-Alzheimer's benefits.
• Check out a few different Hot Turmeric Milk recipes at All Recipes, Shape, and Nutrition Stripped
  

Winter Salads

• While many produce are out of season during the winter months, this is the time of year where the flavenoids, antioxidants, and other nutrients present in fruits & vegetables are the most needed. When building the ultimate salad, keep in mind dark leafy greens and their folic acids, citrus & their plentiful Vitamin C to stave off infections, nutrient rich root vegetables, and the inflammation reducing Omega Three Fatty Acids present in avocado, walnuts, and flaxseeds. Mix & match recipe ingredients based on your and your senior loved ones particular taste and on the produce that can be readily found locally. Feel free to make warm versions of salads to help keep the chill away.
• Check out a few different winter salad recipes for ideas at Huffington Post, Mother Nature Network, Montreal Gazette, Food & Wine, and Cookie and Kate
  

Warm Winter Fruit Crisps & Cobblers

• Whether it's using fresh apples, pears, or figs, dried fruit, or oats & quinoa this sweet treat is chock full of vitamins and nutrients, especially compared to less healthy alternatives. Serve while warm (while skipping the ice cream on the side) to help ward off those winter chills.
• Warm Winter Fruit Crisp | Healthy Pear and Quinoa Apple Crisp | Easy Gluten-free Apple and Fig Crumble | Gluten Free Winter Fruit Crisp | Drop-Biscuit Pear and Dried Cherry Cobbler