Vegetables are an important part of any senior diet, and they can even boost memory. Here are the top 10 vegetables family caregivers can add to their aging loved ones’ diets.
1. Beets
Beets increase the flow of blood to the brain and provide a dose of energy. There are different ways to serve beets, including roasting them and adding them to a salad.
2. Broccoli
Family caregivers may be able to boost their loved ones’ memory by serving them broccoli more often. This green vegetable is loaded with vitamin K and choline. It can be consumed raw, baked in a broccoli cheese casserole, and served in many other ways.
Seniors who are unable to prepare nutritious meals themselves can benefit greatly from professional home care. If your aging loved one needs help managing everyday tasks or encouragement to adopt healthier lifestyle choices, turn to Home Care Assistance, a leading provider of elder care. Home Care Assistance provides professional in-home caregivers around the clock to help seniors live longer, happier, and healthier lives.
3. Spinach
Serving your loved one spinach can make his or her mind strong. Mix it up by incorporating other green leafy vegetables, such as kale and Swiss chard.
4. Beans
With so many different types of beans, it’s easy to eat them every day without getting bored. Kidney, black, and pinto beans can be added to the diet alongside green beans. They stabilize blood sugar, keeping the brain from crashing.
5. Sweet Potatoes
While they’re high in calories, sweet potatoes can boost memory. They’re rich in vitamin B6, carbohydrates, and antioxidants and promote mental health in seniors.
6. Cauliflower
Cauliflower may enhance your loved one’s coordination and reduce the risk of falls, as it’s loaded with vitamins A and K.
A trained caregiver can be a great source of advice and support for a senior who needs help planning and preparing nutritious meals. Not every senior has the same care needs, which means they don’t all need the same type of homecare. Carmichael families can rely on Home Care Assistance to provide individualized care plans to meet their elderly loved ones’ unique care needs. Our holistic Balanced Care Method was designed to help seniors focus on healthy lifestyle habits such as eating nutritious foods, exercising regularly, and maintaining strong social ties, and our Cognitive Therapeutics Method offers mentally stimulating activities that can stave off cognitive decline and delay the onset of dementia.
7. Asparagus
You should add asparagus to your loved one’s diet, as it contains prebiotic fiber, which is good for mental health.
8. Romaine Lettuce
Make sure your loved one’s brain gets the energy it needs to work properly by fixing a salad with romaine lettuce. Romaine also tastes delicious on a sandwich.
9. Brussels Sprouts
Nerves in the brain function better when they have enough potassium. Delicious Brussels sprouts are a great way to add potassium to your loved one’s diet.
10. Cabbage
Plaque building up in the brain causes Alzheimer’s. Eating green or red cabbage on a regular basis can stop the plaque from building up. Make sure to include it in your loved one’s diet.
Families who find it difficult to care for their aging loved ones without assistance can benefit greatly from professional respite care. Carmichael, CA, family caregivers who need a break from their caregiving duties can turn to Home Care Assistance. Using our proprietary Balanced Care Method, our respite caregivers can encourage your loved one to eat well, exercise regularly, get plenty of mental and social stimulation, and focus on other lifestyle factors that promote longevity. To talk to one of our friendly Care Managers and create a customized senior care plan, call us at (916) 485-4663.