7 Snacks for Older Adults that Are Great for Heart Health
By Home Care Assistance Des Moines 8 am on
The foods seniors eat can have a positive or negative effect on their organs, including the heart. Your senior loved one’s snacks should be filling and beneficial to his or her cardiovascular health. Below are some heart-healthy snacks to serve your loved one.
1. Greek Yogurt
The best snacks for the elderly are those without added refined sugar, such as Greek yogurt. This snack is full of calcium, protein, vitamins, and other nutrients aging adults need. Eating Greek yogurt as a snack can control blood sugar levels, prevent clogged arteries, and allow the heart to function normally.
2. Hard-Boiled Eggs
Eating hard-boiled eggs can raise high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, which boosts heart health. HDL is known as good cholesterol, and it removes bad cholesterol from the body. Seniors need to eat enough HDL cholesterol to lower their risk of heart disease. Adding hard-boiled eggs to your loved one’s snack choices can enhance his or her heart function.
3. Kale Brownies
Eating healthy doesn’t mean seniors need to give up treats. There are gluten-free sweets they can eat as snacks, such as kale brownies. Two of the ingredients used for this snack are kale and dark chocolate, which are beneficial for the heart. This snack can increase a senior’s glucose levels and prevent poor circulation. Managing all the aspects of a loved one’s health, including diet, can be challenging for a family caregiver. If you’re the primary family caregiver for an elderly loved one and need additional assistance providing high-quality in-home care,Home Care Assistance can help. We are a leading home care agency committed to changing the way seniors age.
4. Fruit
The vitamins, antioxidants, and fiber in fruit can protect the heart and boost the immune system. Your loved one should eat berries and apples to receive the most health benefits. Adding fruit to your loved one’s daily snacks can lower his or her blood pressure and prevent chronic inflammation, which are two issues that increase the risk of heart disease.
5. Baked Kale Chips
Since kale contains no cholesterol or trans fats, your loved one can eat baked kale chips instead of traditional chips. The olive oil used to cook the kale provides a good source of monounsaturated fats, which lower the risk of a stroke or heart attack. If your loved one wants a healthy addition to the baked kale chips, suggest hummus, which can control blood sugar levels and lower the risk of cardiovascular issues. Preparing meals and monitoring their loved ones’ diets are just a couple of the many responsibilities of family caregivers, who also need to make sure to take care of themselves. Whether you need respite from your caregiving duties or your aging loved one needs live-in care, Des Moines, IA, Home Care Assistance can meet your family’s care needs. Our dedicated caregivers are available around the clock to provide transportation to doctor’s appointments, ensure seniors take their prescribed medications, and help with a variety of tasks in and outside the home.
6. Peanut Butter & Celery
The appetite-satisfying protein in peanut butter and the limited calories in celery make this snack a healthy choice for seniors. Peanut butter and celery contain many of the nutrients older adults need to keep the heart functioning normally. Eating protein-packed snacks is vital to brain health and lowers the risk of heart disease.
7. Avocado Dip
Avocados provide high nutrient value to older adults and can make a health-conscious snack. They’re loaded with the vitamins seniors need to boost their quality of life as well as nutrients that reduce blood triglycerides and lower LDL cholesterol. Eating avocado dip can prevent cardiovascular disease as well as other conditions seniors are more likely to develop. Because it’s crucial to keep the cardiovascular system strong, seniors should eat heart-healthy foods to maintain optimal health. There are a variety of age-related health conditions that can make it more challenging for seniors to live independently. However, many of the challenges they face can be easier to manage if their families opt for professional elder care. Des Moines families can rely on expertly trained caregivers to keep their loved ones safe and comfortable while aging in place. Home Care Assistance will work with you to customize a care plan that’s just right for your loved one’s needs. Call one of our friendly Care Managers today at (515) 264-2438 to learn more about our customized care plans.
