One of the most common effects of aging is a loss of muscle mass. Seniors who have weak muscles and bones are much more likely to lose their balance and severely injure themselves. Increasing your senior loved one’s protein intake may provide the energy he or she needs to exercise and remain active. Here’s a closer look at some of the best sources of protein for people over the age of 65.
Low-Fat Dairy
As long as your loved one isn’t lactose intolerant, you might want to encourage him or her to eat five or six large servings of low-fat dairy every week. A few slices of hard cheese, a bowl of cottage cheese, or a yogurt smoothie are all great snack options for a senior who isn’t getting enough protein. Before purchasing any dairy products for your loved one, you must first make sure they’ve been completely pasteurized. Eating unpasteurized dairy products can be dangerous for seniors with compromised immune systems.
Many seniors find it difficult to prepare nutritious, protein-rich meals. If your aging loved one needs occasional help with bathing, grooming, cooking, or other basic household tasks, or if you need time to attend to important personal matters, reach out to Assisting Hands Home Care Pearland, a leading provider of Home Care. Pearland seniors can maintain their independence while living at home with the help of our reliable home caregivers.
Nuts & Beans
Protein sources that have fiber are much easier to digest. Unlike most animal-based sources of protein, nuts and beans are packed with fiber, and they can alleviate a wide variety of age-related health issues, including high blood pressure and diabetes. Red, black, and kidney beans have the highest concentration of protein, and they can easily be added to a variety of dishes. Seniors who are trying to give up animal products should eat plenty of nuts and beans throughout the week to prevent muscle loss.
Some seniors may need help eating nutritious foods and making other healthy lifestyle choices. Homecare agencies can be a great boon to seniors. With the help of the caregivers at Assisting Hands Home Care, your aging loved one can lead a happier and healthier life. Our caregivers encourage seniors to eat nutritious foods, exercise and socialize regularly, and focus on other lifestyle factors that increase life expectancy.
Lean Meats
Having an occasional steak isn’t unhealthy for seniors, but most of the meat they eat should be relatively lean. Red meat filled with saturated fat can negatively impact an individual’s health if he or she already has high cholesterol or high blood pressure. A seared piece of chicken with a few basic spices has a significant amount of protein. If your loved one has a difficult time cooking meals independently, you can easily grill multiple batches of chicken at a time so he or she has food to eat throughout the week.
Seafood
A few ounces of wild salmon or freshwater trout provide more than 20 grams of protein and almost no fat. Much like chicken, you can easily grill or bake a few servings at the start of the week so your loved one has access to protein-rich meals. While high-quality raw seafood is usually harmless, most nutrition experts agree seniors should only eat meat and fish that has been thoroughly cooked.
Consider hiring a professional caregiver if your loved one needs help preparing nutritious meals. In Pearland, in-home care providers can benefit aging adults in a variety of ways. From cooking nutritious meals to offering timely medication reminders, the dedicated caregivers at Assisting Hands Home Care are available to help your elderly loved one 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. For compassionate, reliable in-home care, trust the experienced professionals from Assisting Hands Home Care. Reach out to one of our dedicated Care Managers today at (281) 809-7342 to learn about the high quality of our in-home care services.
