Most caregivers will admit that coming up with weekly meal plans that are both nutritious and enjoyable for their aging parent can be a challenge. Fortunately, many have come before you, and those caregivers that preceded you have learned a thing or two. Here are a few of their recommendations on how to save time at meal time and make it a stress-free occasion.
Breakfast
A good, healthy breakfast sets the stage for the rest of the day and will determine, in large part, your parent’s blood sugar levels. Eat a breakfast high in sugars and processed foods, and you can expect a spike in blood sugar and an ensuing crash. According to James Betts, PhD, Breakfast “primes your metabolism to maintain stable blood sugar levels after subsequent meals.” And if their blood sugar levels aren’t enough incentive, let your parent know that a survey conducted on 27,000 men showed that those who didn’t eat breakfast were 7 percent more likely to develop heart disease.
Breakfasts that are both easy to prepare and good for you include whole grains with berries, low-fat Greek Yogurt (higher in protein than traditional) with bananas and a few nuts, or a premade hard-boiled or deviled egg accompanied by a slice of whole-grain toast and half of a grapefruit.
Lunch
For those with sleeping or digestive disorders, lunch should be the biggest meal of the day. This gives their body’s time to digest the food before laying down for a good night’s slumber. Easy and nutritious lunches to consider are wraps with a side of salad, all of which can be premade. There are a variety of wraps to consider such as spinach, whole grain and red peppers. Inside these wraps consider omega-3 rich salmon or tryptophan-rich turkey along with tomatoes, onions, leafy greens and a fresh herb such as basil or rosemary.
Dinner
Beans are a very nutritious and often overlooked source of protein. Consider a combination of beans, quinoa and a frozen medley of cruciferous vegetables. You can also obtain pre-cut vegetables from the supermarket as well as garlic to toss in a pan with a little olive oil and shrimp for an easy stir-fry. These can also all be made in advance and placed in the microwave at dinner time.
Caregiver Providers
If these meals sound familiar, it’s because many are based upon the Mediterranean Diet, a way of eating that came into vogue when researchers realized that those from Greece and Southern Italy, who typically ate this type of diet, had less heart disease and dementia and a longer lifespan.
But the Mediterranean diet isn’t just about food, it’s also about lifestyle. This way of life includes shared meals and exercise and a comme ci, comme ca attitude toward life. If your parent requires assistance with daily activities, running errands, and preparing meals, consider hirina a caregiver service who not only prepares healthy meals, but shares them as well.
Resources: http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/magazine/2014/10/why-eating-the-right-breakfast-is-so-important/index.htm
If you or an aging loved one are considering Caregiver Services in Aventura FL, contact the caring staff at Providence Healthcare Services. We provide services in all of Miami Dade county and the Upper Keys. Call today (305) 680-5349.
