Easy and Nutritious Snacks for Seniors

Elderly Care in Raleigh, NC – 6 Delicious Ideas for Healthier Snack Options

Dietary needs often change for people once they become senior citizens. Sometimes seniors don’t like to have big meals or may need to avoid certain foods because of medical conditions. Selecting snacks low in sodium, fat and sugar can be the best ideas for seniors. Pre-packaged, processed foods tend to contain a lot of sodium. Some easy and nutritious snack options for seniors can include:

• Finger sandwiches – This is a great option to eat at home or take on the go. The sandwiches can be anything such as veggies, tuna, cheese or peanut butter. When the sandwiches are cut into smaller pieces, it’s easier to eat as well as to transport.
• Boiled eggs – Eating eggs in moderation is a good way to get healthy proteins
• Cheese sticks – Small slices or sticks of cheese can be filling and contain calcium and protein.
• Fruits and vegetables – These are by the far the most nutritious snacks available. Fruit can be cut, chopped or diced for a quick healthy snack. Berries, oranges, apples and bananas are easy to make as a snack. Also, don’t forget the veggies. Many vegetables like carrots, broccoli, cauliflower or bell pepper can be cut up into small pieces for an easy snack option. They can be eaten raw or with a low-fat dip.
• Popcorn – Full of fiber, popcorn is a satisfying snack and is low in fat and calories. To keep the calories low, you can use an air popper or choose low-fat microwave popcorn that doesn’t contain a lot of butter.
• Nuts – A handful of nuts is a good way to fill up on a protein source. Nuts are high in fat, but eaten in moderation, they can provide the body with the healthy fats it needs as well as some high quality protein, something many seniors may not consume enough of.

If you are traveling or on the go frequently, it can be a good idea to have healthy snacks with you. Some options include dried fruit, trail mix, granola bars, a small bag of high fiber cereal, rice cakes, or a small bag of low fat chips, pretzels or whole grain crackers.

Helping with grocery shopping, menu planning and meal preparation are all services your elderly loved one can get assistance with on a daily or weekly basis. You as the family caregiver may want to consider non-medical in-home care so your loved one has a professional referred caregiver to aid them with the daily tasks of living.

The articles posted on this blog are provided for general information and discussion purposes only.  These articles are not intended to suggest anything with respect to the operations or services of this office.