Home Care Tips: Delicious and Nutritious Seasonal Snacks for Winter Outings

Home Care in Sudbury, MA

Planning outings is a fantastic way for your aging loved ones’ non-medical in-home caregiver to keep their routine interesting and give them the physical activity, mental stimulation, and social interaction that they need to stay healthy throughout their aging years. When going on these outings, it is important that the caregiver bring along the right supplies so that your parents have everything that they need to ensure that they can enjoy their outing while staying safe, healthy, and comfortable. One of the most important of these supplies is snacks.

Nutrition is a vital element of an effective care routine for elderly adults, and eating snacks throughout the day helps to ensure better nutrition for these seniors. Having snacks on hand keeps the body nourished, providing consistent energy throughout the day, helps to combat the urge to overindulge at meals or reach for unhealthy treats, and controls blood sugar for a healthier body and easier weight management.

With the winter season right around the corner, changing up the types of snacks that your seniors’ caregiver brings along can help them to stay interested in the snacks so they are more likely to eat them than to stay hungry and overindulge, and gives them consistent, quality nutrition using seasonal ingredients.

Try making up some of these delicious and nutritious seasonal snacks that your parents’ non-medical in-home caregiver can bring along during winter outings with your aging loved ones:

• Flavored nuts. Nuts are a quick, easy, and virtually no-cleanup snack that gives your body many things that it needs, including protein, healthy fats, vitamins, and minerals. They are very filling, and provide dietary fiber that aids in digestion and keeps them fuller, longer. Make them seasonally appropriate by tossing them with cinnamon, sugar, and a little nutmeg.
• Snack mixes. Cereal-based snack mixes are a staple at any holiday festivities, and with good reason. They are delicious, crunchy, and easy to put together. They can also offer whole grains, dietary fiber, and protein depending on what you put inside. Make up a batch of classic cereal snack mix, or shake things up by adding in poultry seasoning and roasted pumpkin seeds for a flavor reminiscent of your holiday feasts and full of nutrition.
• Mini cheese balls. These snacks need to stay cool, which makes them perfect for the winter when the inside of the car is chilly. Simply pop them in a cooler and set them in the car, or leave them in an insulated lunch bag. Use your favorite cheese ball recipe, but instead of rolling the entire thing into a large ball, use a melon baller to portion out small amounts. Roll each in almonds and put them in a plastic storage container. Serve with crackers or fresh vegetables for a snack with protein and complex carbohydrates for energy.