Many studies have shown the numerous health benefits of soy. A major staple of vegetarian and vegan diets, the soybean can be a healthful choice even if your senior loved one is a staunch omnivore. Here are a few suggestions for how you can include this versatile vegetable in your loved one’s diet.
Add Edamame to a Salad
If your loved one enjoys salad with lunch or dinner, edamame, the unripe version of soybeans, can add all of the health benefits of soy along with more flavor and texture. A serving of edamame has 17 grams of protein and 8 grams of fiber and provides 20 percent of the recommended allowance of vitamin K each day. To serve, simply microwave the edamame pods with water until softened, then gently pop each bean out of the pod and rinse.
It may be challenging to monitor your loved one’s diet as closely as you’d like. Families who need help caring for senior loved ones can turn to Home Care Assistance, a leading provider of senior home care. Services available in our customizable care plans include meal prep, mental and social stimulation, assistance with personal hygiene tasks, and much more.
Try a Soy Nut Butter & Honey Sandwich
Your loved one will likely enjoy this healthy and mature twist on the classic peanut butter and jelly. Spread soy nut butter on whole-grain bread and top with a drizzle of organic honey for a lunch full of fiber and protein. With fewer calories and less saturated fat than peanut butter, soy nut butter is a great option if your loved one is on a low-fat diet due to cardiovascular problems. Each serving contains 7 grams of protein and 6 percent of the recommended daily amount of calcium.
Aging in place can present a few unique challenges for older adults. Some only require part-time assistance with exercise or meal preparation, while others are living with serious illnesses and benefit more significantly from receiving live-in care. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Home Care Assistance are leaders in the elderly in-home care industry for good reason. We tailor our care plans based on each senior’s individual needs, our caregivers continue to receive updated training in senior care as new developments arise, and we also offer comprehensive care for seniors with Alzheimer’s, dementia, and Parkinson’s.
Make a Tofu Stir-Fry
Tofu acts as a meat substitute that provides protein, fiber, and calcium. Additionally, some studies show the phytoestrogens found in tofu can neutralize the effects of estrogen that cause bone loss and breast cancer. To use it in a stir-fry for your loved one, select firm tofu and cut it into bite-sized pieces. Sauté fresh vegetables in a little olive oil, stir in the tofu, toss with a healthy stir-fry sauce, and serve over rice. Tofu easily takes on the flavor of sauces and seasonings that are added to it, keeping it flavorful.
Substitute Soy Milk for Cow’s Milk in Cereal
Your loved one can start the day off right with a bowl of whole-grain cereal topped with soy milk instead of cow’s milk. With fewer calories and less saturated fat, soy milk can prevent your loved one from developing cardiovascular disease. A study done by the Prevention Research Center at Stanford University found people with high cholesterol who drank soy milk for 6 weeks were able to lower their cholesterol and triglyceride levels by 5 percent. Encourage your loved one to substitute soy milk in his or her cereal or coffee for the heart-healthy benefits.
Making sure seniors get proper nutrition is one of the most important ways to help them stay healthy, and some aging adults may need help maintaining a nutritious diet. Not every senior has the same care needs, which means they don’t all need the same type of home care Philadelphia. families can rely on Home Care Assistance to provide individualized care plans to meet their elderly loved ones’ unique care needs. Our holistic Balanced Care Method was designed to help seniors focus on healthy lifestyle habits such as eating nutritious foods, exercising regularly, and maintaining strong social ties, and our Cognitive Therapeutics Method offers mentally stimulating activities that can boost cognitive health and delay the onset of dementia. For compassionate, reliable in-home care, trust the experienced professionals from Home Care Assistance. Reach out to one of our dedicated Care Managers today at (215) 645-4663 to learn about the high quality of our in-home care services.