Proper nutrition is incredibly important to the well-being of seniors, but it isn’t always easy for older individuals to eat well. Preparing healthy food can feel inconvenient (especially when a box of granola bars or a package of store bought muffins is right there!) and others simply don’t have the appetite they used to. While seniors shouldn’t be forced to eat, they should be encouraged to eat a variety of foods that offer protein, vitamins and other important nutrients—particularly if dementia, diabetes or other conditions are an issue.
Preparing three healthy meals each day is always a good idea, but many seniors prefer small portions over large plates. Here are seven easy, healthy snack ideas that are perfect for older individuals. Remember, our Toronto area caregivers are able to help prepare food and leave your loved one’s fridge well-stocked with convenient snacks like these. Please contact us to learn more!
Yogurt parfait
Making a yogurt parfait is incredibly simple, and it’s perfect for breakfast or a midday snack. You can even snack on one in the evening if you’re feeling peckish! It’s nutritious and filling, but feels like a dessert. Start with some plain Greek yogurt, add a layer of sliced berries and then top with whatever other accompaniments your loved one enjoys: shredded coconut, crunchy granola, hemp hearts, a drizzle of honey or all of the above. Yum!
Apples with peanut butter
This snack is perfect at just about any age! Slice up an apple, add a generous scoop of peanut butter for dipping, and off you go. If you want more texture, add a small amount of granola or shredded coconut to dip your apples and peanut butter into. Or, use crunchy peanut butter. Alternatively, a teaspoon of miniature chocolate chips makes this a delicious treat.
Chia pudding
Seniors may need a little convincing to try this one as it’s outside of some older individuals’ comfort zones—but once they taste it, they’ll be hooked. Chia is incredibly nutritious and a small amount offers plenty of food energy. Here’s a great recipe for chia pudding with almond milk and a similar recipe with coconut milk. You can also use regular cow’s milk or even oat milk. Sweeten to taste and add fresh fruit or other toppings if you like.
Hummus with sliced vegetables
Hummus is delicious, easy to eat and packed with protein. It’s perfect on a pita or with sliced vegetables, and both of these options require very little preparation. Try serving hummus with sliced cucumber, bell peppers, radishes, snap peas and other vegetables that are easy to chew. If dental health is not an issue, add celery and baby carrots to the mix. Hummus comes in a wide variety of flavours, so be sure to explore your options!
Homemade trail mix
Store bought trail mix can be packed with salt and sugar, but homemade trail mix is a fantastic snack. Consider combining almonds, cashews, dried cranberries or apricots, Shreddies or Cheerios, pumpkin seeds and even a few pretzels. You can even add a small amount of chocolate chips or M&Ms, if sugar intake is not a concern! Just be aware of your loved one’s dental health and ability to chew nuts. Store your homemade trail mix in a jar and enjoy whenever the mood strikes.
Smoothies
Smoothies are a great way to offer nutrition on-the-go, and there are varieties to suit anyone’s taste. Your aging loved one can enjoy a smoothie while watching television, reading a book, playing cards or even while out in the car. Try one of these great recipes or create your own—we like starting with Greek yogurt, frozen berries, some ice and a banana, but you can add anything from orange juice or coconut milk to oats, apples and fresh spinach. The possibilities are endless, and you can always switch up the flavour combinations based on what’s in your fridge.
If you have more ideas to add to this list, please add them in the comments on Facebook! We’d love to know what the seniors in your life enjoy eating as a healthy snack.