Let’s admit it. We all enjoy indulging in some really unhealthy food occasionally. A pizza loaded with pepperoni or a big dish of ice cream with syrup and whipped cream is sometimes just what we need. And like many things in life, both of these highly unhealthy foods can be enjoyed in moderation. But what do you do when unhealthy food choices seem to dominate your loved one’s weekly meal and snack lineup? Personal care at home providers and these tips can help.
Health Dangers of Too Much of a Good Thing
It’s an old saying that too much of a good thing is a bad thing. With unhealthy food choices, that couldn’t be truer. Too much sodium can increase blood pressure levels and damage the heart. Too high sugar levels can lead to diabetes. Too much alcohol can lead to liver damage. Too many high-fat foods can lead to obesity.
The immediate gratification of tasty but low-value nutritional food doesn’t outweigh the long-term health effects, especially if you are a senior who has other health issues.
Four Steps to Help Your Loved One Enjoy Healthier Meals
Your loved one may have plenty of reasons why he’d rather just pull out a frozen pizza than grill up some chicken and serve it with whole-grain rice and fresh vegetables. Here are seven tips that may help him overcome the obstacles that are preventing him from eating healthily.
Step #1: Buy produce and meat that’s partially prepared.
If chopping, cutting, trimming, and all of those extra steps are too much for your senior, have him look into buying fresh products that are already partially prepped. He can ask his butcher to trim the fat off of the meat he wants or dice the chicken breast for ease in cooking.
Many vegetables can be bought pre-cut for ease of snacking or adding to salads. Of course, your loved one can buy a bag of salad that he just needs to dump onto his plate, and it’s ready to eat (just watch those prepackaged dressings some come with. They can be unhealthier than a burger).
Personal care at home providers can also help with grocery shopping when getting out becomes too difficult for your loved one.
Step #2: Meal plan
Sometimes time and energy are what prevent a person from eating right. Creating meals that can be heated during the week is one way your loved one can make sure he has what he needs when he’s hungry.
A personal care at home provider can help by spending one visit preparing heat-and-eat meals for your loved one. The personal care at home provider can also assist in the shopping aspect if that is needed.
Step #3: Learn to read labels.
While fresh is best, there are still plenty of canned and frozen foods out there that your loved one might want to use to prepare a meal. Reading labels for sugar, sodium, and fat content can help your loved one choose items that are better for him.
Step #4: Eat with others.
When possible, your elderly loved one should eat with others. Eating with others tends to help people make better food choices and reduces the possibility of overindulging. Your personal care at home provider can join your loved one when you’re not there to keep him company and even help with the cleanup!
Eating healthier is a learned behavior that requires practice and consistency. Your loved one will soon feel the benefits of a better diet.
If you or an aging loved one are considering Personal Care at Home in Lafayette, CA, please contact the caring staff at Aviva In-Home Care today at (415) 463-1400
Aviva In-Home Care provides exceptional senior home care in the Bay Area, including San Francisco, Burlingame, San Mateo, Hillsborough, Atherton, Menlo Park, Palo Alto, Berkeley, Lafayette, Orinda, and surrounding areas.
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