As seniors have typically gone hours without nutritional sustenance during the night, breakfast is necessary to replenish the body with the fuel it needs. For this reason, older adults should strive to eat foods at breakfast time that offer a variety of vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients. Varying the content of the meal from one day to the next alleviates boredom and makes breakfast more enjoyable. Here are a few great breakfast ideas to serve your senior loved one.
Apricot Cranberry Oatmeal
Whether making instant or traditional oatmeal, consider adding some dried apricots and cranberries along with extra water to the mix. Apricots provide vitamin A, iron, and potassium. The apricots and cranberries are rich sources of fiber, and they add natural sweetness to the dish.
A bowl of oatmeal supplies up to six grams of protein and plenty of fiber along with omega-3 fatty acids and B vitamins. Oatmeal is also rich in manganese, which is necessary for the development of many body tissues and provides energy, regulates blood sugar, and enhances calcium absorption.
Festive Fall Oatmeal
Instead of fresh fruit, consider adding some canned pumpkin, low-fat or skim milk, and a dash of cinnamon, nutmeg, and vanilla to a bowl of oatmeal to spice things up. You can also add a spoonful of almonds, pecans, or walnuts and a drizzle of maple syrup. The nuts and milk enhance the protein levels along with adding calcium. Pumpkin is a great source of fiber, vitamins A and K, magnesium, and potassium.
It’s not always easy to make sure your loved one eats healthy foods, especially if he or she lives alone. If your aging loved one needs help managing everyday tasks or encouragement to adopt healthier lifestyle choices, turn to Assisting Hands Home Care, a leading provider of home care service. Assisting Hands Home Care provides professional in-home caregivers around the clock to help seniors live longer, happier, and healthier lives.
Egg Muffins
Mix together eggs and fresh vegetables, including bell peppers, tomatoes, onions, and mushrooms. Maybe add some shredded low-fat cheese and low-sodium sausage bits. Pour the mixture into a cupcake pan and bake. The eggs, cheese, and meat ingredients provide rich sources of protein, and the cheese adds calcium. The fresh vegetables and other ingredients also provide a wealth of vitamins and minerals.
If you usually cook breakfast every day for your loved one along with managing all the other aspects of his or her daily life, you may be susceptible to feeling burned out or overwhelmed, but help is available. Family caregivers sometimes need a break from their caregiving responsibilities. When they need senior home care, Cincinnati families can rely on professional caregivers to help their senior loved ones remain safe at home.
Danish Toast
Toast whole-grain bread or a bagel, then spread the toast with mashed avocado and top with diced cooked poultry and a slice of tomato. This simple breakfast provides much-needed fiber and protein. Avocados also provide complex B vitamins, vitamin E, and 18 other nutrients. Tomatoes offer vitamins A and C along with a compound known as lycopene, which is another heart-healthy substance. The powerful antioxidant also protects the body against cancer, prevents age-related eye diseases, and enhances cognitive function.
Sunrise Smoothie
Blend low-fat or skim milk with mango chunks, cottage cheese, almonds, and vanilla until smooth. The combination of ingredients in this quick meal provides up to 35 grams of protein. The milk and cottage cheese provide calcium and vitamin D. Mangoes are rich in fiber and vitamins A, B6, and C.
Nutrition is important for seniors to remain healthy in their golden years, and breakfast is a great way to start the day off with the vitamins and nutrients your loved one needs most. Maintaining a high quality of life can be challenging for some seniors, but professional caregivers can help them attain this goal. Families can trust Cincinnati at-home care experts to help their elderly loved ones focus on lifestyle choices that increase the chances of living longer and healthier lives. If you need professional care for your loved one, Assisting Hands Home Care is just a phone call away. Reach out to one of our Care Managers today at 513-993-5025.
