Thanks to many healthcare advancements over the years, people are living longer than they ever have. Good nutrition is a huge component of longevity, but as we age, cooking can become more challenging. It becomes important to find quick recipes for seniors that are also healthy. Luckily, there are plenty of ways to shop and prepare some delicious meals.
Buckner Retirement Services welcomes Texas seniors who want to make the most of their senior adult years. Our communities include a several educational classes where you can learn from professional chefs. Or, residents can enjoy casual dining. Learn more about our senior recreational programs by calling 214.227.7182 today to speak with our team.
Healthy Eating for Seniors
Eating a healthy diet is essential for your mind and body to get the nutrients they need for optimal functioning. However, seniors can often lose interest in cooking as they become tired more quickly or care less about having a balanced diet. A lack of proper nutrition can lead to malnutrition, a risk of developing certain cancers, reduced immune systems, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease.
It can be easy to fall into poor eating habits as we get older, but that doesn’t have to be the case. Healthy eating for seniors includes:
- Eating enough protein to build and repair muscles
- Planning out meals to include enough dairy, fiber, and whole grains
- Drinking plenty of water during the day
- Take a cooking class if you’re unsure of how to prepare meals
Better nutrition isn’t the only benefit of healthy cooking. Other benefits include everything from improved appetite to memory retention to socialization and reduced stress. Seniors will get a better night’s sleep and have more energy to do the things they love.
Easy and Quick Recipes for Seniors
Healthy cooking doesn’t have to be difficult or time consuming. If you need new ideas for home-cooked meals, check out these easy and quick recipes for seniors.
- Roasted root vegetables – This is a simple recipe that involves hearty vegetables that can be purchased at a local farmers market or grocer. You might include sweet potatoes, beets, parsnips, and carrots roasted at a high temperature. The antioxidants and fiber can stabilize your blood sugar naturally.
- Berry chicken salad – If you have leftover chicken, this is a quick and easy recipe for seniors and makes for a great lunch. The leafy greens and berries are filled with fiber that can prevent certain cancers and support good brain function.
- Southwest stuffed sweet potatoes – Recipes like these provide a delicious way to get plenty of vitamins and minerals into your diet. Consider using two large sweet potatoes, olive oil, refried beans, diced tomatoes, and shredded cheese. Or substitute refried beans for black beans for more protein.
- Chickpea tuna salad – An easy-to-make salad like this provides great protein and can reduce your blood pressure. Chickpeas are also an excellent source of magnesium and potassium, and tuna is good for cardiovascular health, muscle building, and improving your immune system.
- Italian stuffed peppers – Bell peppers are vibrant in color and include folate, fiber, and iron. You can stuff them with a number of healthy fillings, including turkey, ground beef, pork, salmon, and other ingredients. The possibilities are endless.
These are just a few of the ideas for recipes that seniors can try at home alone or with friends. Cooking helps improve memory retention and organization and gives seniors something to look forward to each day.
Choose Buckner Today for Healthy Senior Living
Buckner Retirement Services has locations throughout the state of Texas. Our communities feature independent and assisted living programs that are tailored to the resident and include a number of personal services and amenities. Each program includes medication management, senior recreational programs, assistance with daily living needs, nutritional meal plans, and a number of social and educational classes to fill their days.
For more tips on healthy eating for seniors, call 214.227.7182 today and find a Buckner senior living community near you. You can also submit our online contact form and a member of our team will be in touch.