What is A Nutritious Meal?
A nutritious meal consists of a balanced amount of all the nutrients such as calcium, potassium, fibre, magnesium and vitamins, especially Vitamin A, C and E. Speaking on general terms will include quantified portions of Macronutrients, Micronutrients and also Phytonutrients. The amount of such nutrients that elders require, majorly depends on their daily calorie needs and Basal Metabolic Rate. Elders who stay physically active require more nutritious meals in comparison to their peers who don’t indulge much in physical activities.
So if you stay away from your beloved elders, and don’t get much time to keep a check on their diet, you can opt for professional home care services; but do not compromise with their nutrients.
Why Nutritious Meal is Important for the Elderly?
According to WHO, not having nutritious meals or being malnutritioned brings significant life-threatening risks to humans, especially old adults?
Researches reveal that a proper nutritious meal is important for better mental health, stronger immune system, lower risk of non-communicable diseases (such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease), and longevity. And with so many in-home health care services available in the market, it is not really tough to ensure that elders are getting nutritious meals.
Nutritious Meals To Boost Immunity In Elderly
A nutritious meal is important at every stage of life, but it becomes even more crucial among the elderly. Here are the top nutritious meals to boost immunity in the elderly.
- Bean Salad with Curd
This is an easy-peasy and light meal which is full of nutrients. Boil all kinds of beans available at your home and prepare the salad by adding some chopped onion, bell pepper and black pepper to the boiled beans. Serve it with a bowl of curd to the elders.
Benefit: Beans are a rich source of protein for the vegans. It also provides fibre and Vitamin B which increases gut bacteria and prevents digestive illness in the elders. And curd contains predominant probiotics. This nutritious meal maintains blood sugar level and cholesterol.
- Eggs and potatoes
Pour some olive oil in the pan, add chopped onion and boiled-chopped potatoes, saute for a minute, add scrambled eggs in the pan and sprinkle some fresh herbs and spices. A quick nutritious meal for the elderly is ready!
Benefit: This is a full nutrient-packed meal for elders. While egg provides selenium, vitamin D, B6, B12 and minerals such as zinc, iron and copper, potatoes are rich in Potassium, Magnesium, Folate, Fiber, Protein, Vitamin B6 and C. Moreover, it is low in fat but high in protein!
- Roasted Root Veggies with Bajra Roti
Roasted root veggies such as sweet potatoes, beets, parsnips, and potatoes, along with Bajra Roti makes the best immunity boosting meal for elders.
Benefit: Root vegetables with Bajra roti make a nutrient-rich meal as both are a rich source of soluble and insoluble fibre, and proteins which reduces the risk of bowel cancer, heart disease and maintains blood glucose, prevents elders from Type-II diabetes and boosts gut bacteria. In certain cases, these veggies might be prescribed not to consume (by the doctors).
- A Quick Soup with bread nuggets
Looking for a quick nutritious meal for elders? Here you go! Make a quick soup with ground spinach, diced onion, bell pepper and tomatoes and some vegetable broth and serve it with bread nuggets.
Benefit: This quick go-to-soup is a superfood, that keeps the elderly full for a longer time. It provides iron, folate, chlorophyll, Vitamin E, magnesium, Vitamin A, fibre, plant protein, and Vitamin C. All these nutrients together prevents symptoms of cancer, maintains glucose level, slows down the risk of heart diseases and keeps the elderly healthy.
Summing Up
You can also hire professional caregivers, such as Emoha, for elders. At Emoha, there are experienced professionals who have expertise over nutritious food for the elderly and their overall health. These caregivers are not only available to help them from the health perspective, but also to help them do everything at ease; including working for them in doing daily household chores. Connect with them at 1800-123-44-5555, for the best nursing at-home services.
