Easy Ways for Seniors to Get Protein Outside of Meat
Home Care Assistance: Protein Alternatives for Seniors in Skokie, IL
Seniors need a certain amount of protein because it helps them build and maintain muscle mass. However, for many reasons some seniors don’t really love meat. You may think it will be harder to figure out how to get them the necessary amount of protein when they won’t eat meat, but the truth is there are other ways to get protein. Here are some ideas on how to encourage your elderly parents to consume more protein:
Protein Shakes
Sometimes a senior just doesn’t like to eat. There are many reasons for that. Sometimes they can’t swallow well, sometimes they don’t like chewing, or sometimes they lose their sense of taste and smell. This doesn’t mean they should give up food or consume enough calories. It does mean that home care assistance will have to find unique ways to ensure they are consuming the appropriate amount of protein and calories though. One of the best ideas home care assistance can adopt is by adding in protein shakes. These can come prepackaged at the store or home care assistance can use powder and mix it with milk or water. This will ensure a senior gets enough protein and will boost their caloric intake. The best thing about this option for protein is that it involves no chewing and many protein shakes are silky in texture making it easier to swallow for most seniors. You may have to experiment with flavor to find one your senior will enjoy. There are tons of flavors that you can choose from especially if you choose a powder to make your own protein shakes at home.
Dark Leafy Greens
Leafy greens like spinach, collard greens, and kale are all filled with tons of vitamins, minerals, and most important protein. You can make these in a finely chopped salad or you can cook them down to make them softer to eat. Home care assistance can easily prep any green to be more edible and mix it with spices to give it a good flavor. Your loved one should be eating tons of vegetables but things like carrots and parsnips may be too difficult to eat because of their texture. This is when dark leafy greens become a preference when it comes to vegetables because they can often be easier to eat than a root vegetable.
Chickpeas
Most of the time beans can be a really good option when it comes to protein, but chickpeas can be smashed into a hummus which can be easier to eat than whole beans. But keep in mind things like baked beans or beans in soup can also be soft enough to chew and swallow. The next time you’re at the store for your elderly parents, look for chickpeas. These are highly nutritious, calorie dense, and filled with protein that will help keep your senior loved one’s body as healthy as possible.
Opt for Dairy
If your seniors can enjoy dairy products, it’s a good way to get more protein in their diet. Cheese, milk, yogurt, and other options have tons of vitamins that will help keep your loved one’s bones strong and help get more protein in their diet. However, keep in mind that not all seniors can eat dairy and feel comfortable at the end of it. A senior should ensure they can eat dairy and it won’t interact with any medications they may be taking.
If you or an aging loved one are considering Home Care Assistance in Skokie, IL, contact the caring staff at Companion Services of America today at (847) 943-3786. Our home care service area includes Northbrook, Highland Park, Deerfield, Glenview, Buffalo Grove, Evanston, Des Plaines, Skokie, Lake Forest, Wilmette and the surrounding areas.
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