Quick Meal Ideas for Seniors

Most of us struggle with the biggest question of the day, “What’s for dinner?” Having a growing family compounds the problem as little tummies, and picky appetites get in the way of putting supper on the table. It can be a bigger chore for seniors living alone. Few people like to cook for only themselves, and inevitably, boredom sets in quickly. If you took a peek inside your mother’s refrigerator, would it be full or mostly empty except for some soda pop and luncheon meat? Nutrition is a vital factor in staying healthy, especially for the elderly. However, it can be challenging to find foods that taste good and pack a punch in the nutrient department.

If you find it a struggle to ensure Mom and Dad are eating well, daily, a home care worker can step in and assist in cooking nutritious meals.

Meal Ideas that Are Nutrient Dense and Simple to Make

Eating healthy doesn’t require a complex menu with four courses to be nutritious. On the contrary, your loved one can reap many health benefits with simple meals. The most essential quality to remember is that the foods need to be nutrient-dense. Here are some meal ideas to get you started:

1. Breakfast: Start the day right with a hearty breakfast of egg muffins, steel-cut oats with fresh or dried fruit, or cook up a sausage and vegetable skillet. Other ideas include parfaits made with fruit, yogurt, and granola. Take a breakfast classic, like waffles or pancakes, and serve them up made of whole grain flour. A power-packed breakfast can be blueberry banana zucchini bread or a strawberry smoothie.
2. Lunch: Make lunch more than a luncheon meat sandwich on white bread. Instead, encourage your senior to partake of a chicken spinach mushroom flatbread sandwich. If Dad likes soup, offer beef and barley soup. Additional choices can include ham and cheese paninis, a turkey, avocado, and tomato wrap, or an omelet with cheese and vegetables. Bring back some wonderful childhood memories with homemade macaroni and cheese with ham.
3. Dinner: Finish the day with a spruced-up classic of one pot vegetarian spaghetti. Other options include roast chicken with garlic potatoes and glazed carrots or baked salmon with quinoa and steamed broccoli. If these ideas don’t get your mouth watering, maybe try beef and root vegetable stew or homemade chili with whole wheat buns. For turkey lovers, why not whip up a turkey meatloaf with mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, and green beans? Finally, a stir fry of chicken, shrimp, vegetables, and brown rice is sure to delight the taste buds of your loved one.

Professional Caregivers Make Cooking a Breeze

Cooking doesn’t have to be an all-day affair when you choose easy recipes for your elderly parent to follow. The team at Home Instead Ottawa understands that cooking for only one or two people isn’t always fun. A personal support worker can make things simpler by doing the cooking with or for them. We help by creating an atmosphere that encourages conversation and enjoyment over a meal. Not only do we assist with cooking, but our services include light housekeeping, personal care, Alzheimer's care services, and much more. We believe the best approach is to tailor services to meet your family’s unique situation. Contact us today to learn more.

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