National Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Month

It’s National Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Month, and an excellent time to think about whether your loved one is getting enough nutrients in their diet. Seniors can be picky eaters. Between dietary restrictions and personal preferences, it can be difficult to have a well-balanced diet. Especially if your loved one is only interested in unhealthy options! Here are three easy tips for focusing on nutrition and health this June.

Add Healthy Foods Into Favorite Meals

Fruits and vegetables are the best way to make sure your loved one is getting nutrition in its rawest form! Some seniors love trying new dishes, but many prefer to stay with tried and true favorites. If that’s the case with your loved one, try to think of ways you can include veggies into foods they already enjoy. Puréed squash slips into taco meat effortlessly. Lasagna and spaghetti are delightful with a little extra zucchini. Skip the brown sugar, and go for a savory oatmeal!

Have A Picnic And Get Some Sunshine

Enjoy a picnic with loved ones. It’s a great way to get some sunshine while sharing a healthy meal! Check out this list of summer salads perfect for a picnic!

There’s nothing quite like going straight to the source for some vitamin D! Sunshine provides us with vitamin D, which can lower depression and support cognitive health. Calcium can’t be absorbed by the body without vitamin D, making it even more important. A lack of this essential vitamin can lead to many negative side effects, including bone softening, nausea, cognitive difficulties, and frailty. But, the list of reasons it is important to get enough vitamin D goes on! Vitamin D can increase your loved one’s ability to manage immune cells. This puts them at a decreased risk for colon cancer and blood cancers.  

Think About Vitamins

A healthy and nutritious diet supports a healthy immune system. Is your loved one getting all the nutrients they need to stay strong in their diet? If you’re not sure, it may be a good idea to talk with your doctor about a plan to CARE for them. Including more vegetables is always good, but you may need to add a multivitamin, so you know they’re receiving needed nutrients. V-8 juice and Boost includes many nutrients seniors need. You can slip Boost into a chocolate shake and no one will be the wiser.

Ensuring a loved one has proper nutrition is important for their overall health. Including fresh fruits and veggies is a great starting point, but be sure to talk to your doctor about the best options for your family. CARE is always happy to help make sure your loved one is thriving and doing well. Contact us today to talk about options for your family.

At CARE, we truly care deeply for your family, and we tailor our care to meet their specific needs. We help get them to their appointments, will run errands with or for them, and we are here to make sure they stay healthy. Call us at 1-800-798-6565 to learn more or visit ​https://careinc.com/contact-us to discuss if our team can make a difference in the life of your family member.

Sources:

mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements-vitamin-d/art-20363792

eatright.org/health/wellness/healthy-aging/special-nutrient-needs-of-older-adults

eatright.org/health/wellness/healthy-aging/special-nutrient-needs-of-older-adults

https://www.nutrition.gov/topics/nutrition-age/older-individuals

sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/06/200610102728.htm

aplaceformom.com/caregiver-resources/articles/vitamin-d-deficiency