Best Superfoods for Seniors
A balanced diet is more than important in an aging senior’s life and superfoods play a large role in it. A wholesome diet could possibly even be the key for seniors to live more fulfilling lives. Through eating the right superfoods, seniors can significantly reduce their risk of cardiovascular diseases. It is important to make heart-healthy decisions at the grocery store. While it can be difficult to make these decisions, Caring Loving Sharing Caregivers can assist you and your senior with the perfect heart-healthy food decisions.
Dark Chocolate
Yes, that is right! Dark chocolate is a great superfood that has been credited with diminishing the risk of heart attacks and strokes. There is a high volume of flavonoids, flavanols, and antioxidants that improve blood flow to the brain and improve vascular health. Although we mention dark chocolate, it must be a specific dark chocolate. When at the grocery store, you must search for chocolate that contains at least 60% cocoa in order for it to qualify as a heart-healthy treat. Although it may be difficult, your loved one should choose dark chocolate over milk chocolate from now on.
Fish
Omega-3 fatty acids is great for heart health. Salmon and other fatty fish such as mackerel and sardines have copious amounts of this acid and should be your fish of choice. Omega-3 helps lower the risk of both an irregular heartbeat and plaque build up in the arteries, thereby reducing your loved one’s risk of a heart attack. Choosing fish over red meat is a healthy and life changing decision.
Fruits
Many times, seniors rely on fruit juices and bananas for their choice of fruit in their diet. Rather than choosing these easy and not as healthy options, try incorporating fruits that are rich in color and high in antioxidants. These type of fruits include berries, melons, and citrus. These fruits also do not have cholesterol and are low in fat. They are heart-friendly and a delicious part of any meal or even for dessert!
Vegetables
When at the grocery store, choosing dark leafy greens like spinach, kale, broccoli, and bok choy are a great heart-healthy choice. These greens contain a high level of nutrients like vitamins A, B, C, E, and K and contain a lot of heart-helathy fiber. If your loved one would like more color in their vegetables, yams, squash, and carrots are also smart and healthy choices.
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Overall, it is important that your loved one has a heart-healthy diet. As they age, their arteries become thicker and stiffer which is why it is more common that they have heart attacks. Choosing a heart-healthy diet combats these factors.If your senior loved one would like assistance with grocery shopping and/or preparing heart-healthy meals, reach out to Caring Loving Sharing Caregivers of the Palm Desert, Palm Springs area! We are here to help and make yours and their lives easier and healthy. Contact us today for a free consultation at 760-861-1211