When it comes to making smart food decisions, it doesn’t only mean paying attention to meals, but also snacks. While some older adults may need to snack regularly to re-energize themselves throughout the day or maintain healthy blood sugar levels, a healthy snack for your loved ones can also be an opportunity to consume more nutrients.
Considerations When Providing Healthy Snacks for Loved Ones
Sometimes, your loved ones may not have an interest in eating the meals you cook or purchase for them, even if they are aware of the importance. This could be a result of an unwillingness to consume foods they dislike, leading them to refuse to eat altogether. In this case, being considerate of their interests and tastes can be immensely helpful in keeping them nourished. If your loved ones enjoy snacking on potato chips, baking sliced potatoes with minimal seasoning is a great healthy alternative.
Consider whether certain foods are too hard for them as well. Apples are a great source of natural sugars for energy, but older individuals with oral issues may not be able to eat such hard foods. If they enjoy snacking on apples, microwaving them first for a softer texture will be useful. It is ideal that they also consume snacks that make up for their nutrition deficiencies if any.
Healthy Snacks Ideas for Loved Ones
Soft healthy snacks like pureed foods are ideal for loved ones with sensitive teeth and gums. They can be made by steaming and blending different foods such as:
- Avocado with scrambled eggs
- Oatmeal
- Smoothie bowl blended with fruits and milk
- Greek yogurt topped with fruits
For loved ones who enjoy munching on crunchy snacks, there are endless nutritious options like:
- Baked sliced sweet potatoes
- Unsalted nuts
- Unsalted popcorn
- Celery or carrots with hummus dip
If your loved one has a sweet tooth or has an occasional craving for something sweet, consider adding these to your home dessert menu:
- Fruits dipped in melted dark chocolate
- Apple sauce with sprinkled cinnamon
- Yogurt parfait
- Peanut butter thins
Why Are Healthy Snacks for Loved Ones Important?
From salty chips to other sugary treats, it can be so easy to reach for unhealthy food options laying around at home. While binge-eating these foods when we were younger rarely led to immediate health concerns, our digestive system slows down as we age, taking a lot longer to absorb nutrients your body needs. Snacking on nutritious foods throughout the day can help your loved ones gain the nutrients, vitamins, and minerals they need, maintain a healthy diet, and boost energy levels.
Why Choose The Summit?
While younger individuals find snacking an easy task, it is not always the case for older adults. Encouraging your loved ones to supplement their meals with one or two healthy snacks may be challenging, but it is worth it for their overall physical, emotional, and mental health.
At The Summit, residents enjoy nutritious and delicious executive-chefs prepared cuisines in the Sensations dining room. If you have any inquiries about the range of services we offer, don’t hesitate to contact us today.
