4 Easy Ways to Get More Fruit Into Your Elderly Loved One’s Diet
Elderly Care in Calabassas CA
Whole, fresh foods are one of the best ways to get lots of nutrients into your diet, but especially into that of your elderly loved one. You’re likely to encounter some resistance, though, especially if your loved one hasn’t always been a fan of fruit. If you’re looking for some easy ways to get your loved one to eat more fruit, here are some ideas that just might work.
Add Fruit to Breakfast
Adding fruit to breakfast is one of the easiest ways to boost those servings throughout the day. Plus, if you can get fruit into your elderly loved one earlier in the day, then it’s less of a concern later in the day when she hasn’t had any fruit at all. Try adding berries or banana slices to cereal, whether it’s hot or cold. Fruit also works well in yogurt, since you can mix it right in. Some more unusual examples might be to add banana slices to some peanut butter toast or just having a few spoons of canned fruit by itself.
Make Smoothies
Smoothies are a great way to get additional nutrients. Some elderly loved ones have a difficult time chewing or simply don’t want to eat a lot of foods. Having a liquid way to get some more fruit is ideal in those situations. Make a base with plain yogurt, milk, and a little bit of honey or other nutritious sweetener. Then add fruits that your loved one likes. You can make this even easier by prepping small “smoothie bags” in advance and putting them in the freezer. Then your elderly loved one or even a home care provider can toss the bag’s contents and the smoothie base into the blender for a fast, delicious fruit break.
Make Homemade Popsicles
A lot of people think that popsicles are difficult to make, but they’re so simple. And people of all ages love a popsicles! The best part is that you can use the same recipes that your elderly loved one enjoys as a smoothie. You can find reusable popsicle molds made of silicone or you can use disposable zippered plastic popsicle molds. Make up a variety of batches, and then whenever your loved one wants a snack, she has an easy option that’s also nutritious.
Stick with the Seasons
One big tip to remember when you’re trying to increase your elderly loved one’s fruit intake is that shopping seasonally is always going to be the best way to go. When you buy fruit that is in season, it’s budget friendly. It also tastes much better then than it does when you’re buying fruit that had to be imported from across the world. Another option is to use canned or frozen fruit options, since they’re just as nutritious and they’ll last a bit longer.
Once your elderly loved one gets used to eating more fruits throughout the day, it’ll become a regular part of her routine.
If you or an aging loved one needs elderly care services in Calabassas, CA, call Livewell Private Care at (310) 933-4986. Servicing Los Angeles, CA and the surrounding areas.
Source
http://www.ext.colostate.edu/pubs/foodnut/09322.html