Meal prep can do a lot to provide you peace of mind when you’re the caregiver of a parent. Even when you’re not always able to be with them, you can still make sure that they’re eating well. While it might feel overwhelming at first, there are steps you can take to make meal prep even more helpful. Here’s a list of dos and don’ts while meal prepping for seniors.
DO keep in mind your parent’s specific needs
With so many potential food options, it’s important to keep in mind any specific needs your parent has. If they have gastrointestinal issues, for example, you may not want to prep food that will aggravate their condition.
DON’T make food they don’t want to eat
Meal prep is hard. If your parent isn’t interested in eating a wide variety of foods, it can feel like punishment to force them to eat something they don’t want to. Often, they’ll be more likely to go for a less healthy snack or skip meals. Make sure that the meals you’re preparing for them are ones that they’re apt to enjoy.
DO add flavor without adding extra salt or sugar
The average person gets too much salt and sugar in their diet as it is. Try to pick up reduced sodium and low sugar options when available. You can still add flavor in by using herbs and spices. There are also many sugar substitutes available to utilize in cooking and baking.
DON’T assume meat or poultry is easy to eat
As we age, our jaws and teeth can become less sturdy. As a caregiver for your parent, it’s important to remember that eating meat may not be as easy for your parent as it is for you. Consider using small pieces of meat or alternative ways to get protein.
Quinoa is a grain with a lot of protein. It can easily take the place of rice while providing more nutrition. There are also brands like Lundberg that have made everything from pasta to chips out of quinoa. Having healthy snacks on hand will make it easier to eat something nutritious and delicious.
DO cook favorite foods in a nutritious way to promote eating
If your parent’s favorite meal is a loaded baked potato, that may not be the best daily or even weekly meal. That said, there are ways to make those healthier. Using Greek yogurt as a replacement for sour cream lowers the fat content while still providing the sour taste. Making small adjustments like that can help seniors enjoy their favorite foods despite health concerns or issues.
DON’T cook large individual portions
When doing meal prep, it’s important to remember that seniors may not eat as much as they once did. Making large batches of meals makes it more likely that a large amount of food will go to waste. If you’re preparing meals to last a while, make sure to invest in sturdy containers that will last in the freezer. If you’re storing a large batch in the fridge, make sure to indicate when it was made–and when it needs to be disposed of rather than eaten.
DO remember the importance of nutrition
When our parents aren’t as interested in eating, it’s difficult to make sure that they’re getting a balanced meal. Seniors need to get good amounts of the following nutrients:
- Folic Acid
- B-12
- Vitamin C
- Vitamin D
Taking supplements for vitamins and minerals can be difficult for anyone, but especially seniors. These may need to be taken at different times than other medication due to interactions. Thankfully, these and other nutrients can be found in food. Folic acid is often found in vegetables such as spinach and asparagus. Meat, poultry and milk help increase B-12 levels. Veggies, fruits and berries have high levels of vitamin C, which can also be found in juices. Juices, fish, cereal and milk can also provide healthy levels of vitamin D.
DON’T forget instructions for meal cooking (if applicable)
Caring for elderly parents looks differently for every person. If your parent is still living on their own, meal prep might look like getting food prepared but not cooking it. If that’s the case, you will need to remember to write down instructions for your parent or their elderly home care aide.
If you keep all of these ideas in mind, you’re sure to have a great grasp on important dos and don’ts when it comes to meal prepping for your elderly parent.]]>