The health of your aging relative starts with the food they eat. Getting enough nutrition and making healthy food choices is a very important step in preventing and managing many medical conditions. Caregivers who do the grocery shopping for their aging relatives will want to make the healthiest choices possible. Below are some tips caregivers can use to make healthy decisions at the grocery store.
Plan Before You Shop
Create a menu for the week. Plan healthy meals and snacks, then make a shopping list for the ingredients. Not only does this ensure caregivers will have everything they need to make balanced meals for the older adult, it an also prevent impulse buys of unhealthy items.
Familiarize Yourself with the Store
Knowing how the store is laid out can help caregivers to make healthier food choices. If you know where to find the healthy foods, like fruits and vegetables, you don’t spend time wandering around aisles where you may be tempted to grab processed foods because they taste good or are easy. In addition, being able to find things quickly will reduce the amount of time you spend shopping.
Purchase More Whole Foods Than Processed Foods
Whole foods are things like fruits, vegetables, and lean meats. They don’t have things added to them for flavor, like salts and fats. Processed foods are those that have been prepared for consumption before sale, like boxed side items, pastries, and frozen dinners. Processed foods tend to contain a lot of salt, fat, and sugar, so they aren’t as healthy for your aging relative as whole foods are.
Try New Foods
It’s easy for caregivers to get stuck in a rut of cooking the same foods for their older family members. That’s understandable because it’s easier to make things you’re familiar with and you know the senior will eat them. However, by trying new things you could lead to finding a new favorite. It also keeps eating interesting, which can help to improve the senior’s appetite.
Hit the Farmer’s Market
Farmer’s markets give caregivers access to some of the freshest produce available. Prices at a farmer’s market are also often cheaper than those you find in the store. In addition, the produce will change throughout the summer as different foods come in season, which is an easy way to include variety in the older adult’s diet. Caregivers could even make going to the farmer’s market an outing for the older adult. They’ll get some fresh air, have a chance to choose their own produce, and have an opportunity for social interaction.
Sources
https://www.webmd.com/food-recipes/features/10-tips-for-healthy-grocery-shopping
http://hopkinsdiabetesinfo.org/tips-for-healthy-grocery-shopping/
IF YOU OR AN AGING LOVED ONE ARE CONSIDERING CAREGIVERS IN SUMMERLIN, NV, PLEASE CONTACT THE CARING STAFF AT GOLDEN HEART SENIOR CARE OF SUMMERLIN. 702-800-4616.