Maintaining a nutritious diet as you get older is vital to continuing to live a healthy life. As we age, our diet and lifestyle change with us. It becomes more and more important to make sure you have a healthy diet full of fresh and whole foods. As the metabolism slows down, we don’t need to consume as many calories. Each component of every meal should supply your body with energy and nutrition.
How to Plan Meals
Meal prepping and planning is a great tool to utilize to make sure that each and every meal is giving your body the nutrition it deserves. A typical plate of food should include a lean protein, a vegetable, whole grains, and fruit. Lean proteins include seafood, eggs, beans, and lean meats, such as chicken and turkey. Whole grains are grains that have not been very processed; examples are whole grain rice or whole wheat bread products. When shopping for fruits and vegetables, try to shop for what’s in season at the time to ensure you’re getting the freshest fruits and veggies.
Importance of Having a Shopping Companion
When shopping for groceries, it can be tempting to buy your favorites and maybe some food that is not the best for your health. Having a grocery shopping companion can help you stay accountable while you shop.
Another tip to ensure that you shop healthily is to do some meal planning before you leave the house, make a list and stick to it. Making a list of groceries to buy that will create whole and healthy meals can help you stay on track with healthy eating habits throughout the week. Another way to have well-balanced meals is to make several portions when you are preparing your lean protein. This way, you can have a basis for a well-balanced meal for a few upcoming meals. For example, cook two chicken breasts instead of one, use a portion for dinner with a vegetable and potato, use another portion in a salad for lunch the following day, and then chop up the final portion and mix it into a vegetable stir-fry over rice. Preparing a meal with your protein accounted for means you’re already halfway there!
The Benefits of Having a Healthy Diet
Having a healthy diet filled with fresh fruits, vegetables, and lean proteins can positively impact your overall health. Reaching for a bag of chips or a cookie rather than creating a plate of food might be easier, but the rush of starches & sugars can make you feel lethargic and drowsy for the rest of the day. Providing your body with a nourishing diet can also create a strong base for your body to ultimately help you fight off disease. Eating whole foods and maintaining a proper nutritional diet benefits the body in a variety of ways, including helping you maintain energy levels throughout the day.
Learn More from Marquette Home Care
As our clients age in place across the Marquette area, including Negaunee, Ishpeming, Harvey, Skandia, and Gwinn, maintaining a healthy diet ensure seniors can live longer at home. Among our other services, we offer meal prep and grocery shopping to ensure you or your senior loved one gets the nutrition they need. Contact us for more information on how you can age in place while continuing to live your healthiest and fullest life.