How to Make Your Senior’s Plate Diabetic-Friendly

Some may argue that food is fundamental to relationships. We spend hours cooking delectable meals to enjoy with family and friends. Food is not only a great way to come together and chat about long days or gather for holidays. It is also a building block of health.

Chronic health issues like diabetes create challenges for those suffering from it. Seniors have special requirements as taste buds wane, dental problems arise, and old habits die hard. If your aging parent struggles to eat healthier and manage their diabetes, a professional caregiver may be the answer.

Suggestions for Creating a Diabetic-Friendly Plate

Your senior will not be stuck eating bland food when you get creative and incorporate new foods into their menu. To ensure your loved one gets the balance of nutrient-rich foods they need to stay strong and healthy, rethink how to load their dinner plate. Take it and split it down the middle. On one half, fill it with fruits and vegetables. Then, take the other half, split it in half, and put a protein in one section and whole grains in the other. Here are some food suggestions to leave your mom or dad feeling full:

1. Vegetables. Let's start with vegetables that are not starches. For example, choose some leafy greens like collards, spinach, and kale. These choices contain vitamins and minerals while remaining low in calories and carbs. Other good options include broccoli, summer squash, arugula, lettuce, celery, carrots, beets, Brussels sprouts, and avocado.
2. Fruit. Even though they do have sugar, fruits have health benefits such as fiber, vitamin C, folate, and potassium. They are suitable for satisfying a sweet tooth. Choose from oranges, grapefruit, clementine, and lemons. Berries are also great options, such as blueberries, strawberries, and blackberries. Don't forget tomatoes, peaches, cherries, and apricots.
3. Proteins. Keep the red meats to a minimum. Instead, serve Mom fatty fish such as salmon, mackerel, trout, and tuna. They are packed with omega-3 fatty acids. Embrace lean poultry like skinless chicken and turkey. Legumes, including kidney, black, and pinto beans, are an old standby to keep handy. All are full of protein without saturated fat.
4. Whole grains. Swap out regular potatoes for sweet potatoes. You can make fries, mash them, or put them in salads. They pack a powerful punch with their vitamin count. Choose to serve brown rice, quinoa, barley, or faro over white rice.

Aim for Healthy Plates – Home Care Workers Make It Possible

You cannot always be at your aging parent's side. You may have a job and family of your own to manage. You don't have to carry the burden of ensuring Mom or Dad is eating well alone. Cooking for seniors is a valuable service the team at Home Instead Ottawa, ON provides. You don't have to worry with our team of professional caregivers on the job. We love helping our clients remain in their homes for as long as possible, and we set up our senior home care services to give them the best chances possible. Our team provides services such as light housekeeping, companionship, and Alzheimer's care. Call us for a complimentary care consultation. 

Call us at (613) 599-6906 to schedule a no-obligation, in-home consultation. Learn more about the compassionate, quality senior care we deliver every day to families in Ottawa, Kanata, Nepean, Orleans, Rockliffe, Alta Vista, New Edinburgh, Manor Park, Stittsville, Barrhaven, Manotick, Sandy Hill, Hunt Club, Vanier, Richmond, Carleton Place, Gloucester, Kemptville