Elder Care and Diabetes: Diabetes-Friendly Food for Your Elderly Loved One
Elder Care in Skokie IL
When it comes to elder care and diabetes, it is important to ensure that your loved one’s diet is appropriate. One way to accomplish this is by implementing a diabetes diet, which according to the Mayo Clinic’s definition, is a healthy-eating plan that will help your loved one control his or her blood sugar.
Your home care provider can help to prepare a healthy-eating plan that is rich in natural nutrients and low in fat and calories. A diet of this kind will emphasize fruits, vegetables and whole grains.
Keep in mind these recommended foods for your loved one’s diabetes diet:
● Healthy carbohydrates. Healthy carbohydrates includes fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes (beans, peas and lentils) and low-fat dairy products.
● Fiber-rich foods. Foods high in fiber include vegetables, fruits, nuts, legumes (beans, peas and lentils), whole-wheat flour and wheat bran.
● Heart-healthy fish. Eating heart-healthy fish at least twice a week is a great addition to your loved one’s diabetes plan. Good examples include cod, tuna and halibut. Other good choices are salmon, mackerel, tuna, sardines and bluefish which are rich in omega-3 fatty acids. Tip: avoid fried fish and fish with high levels of mercury, such as tilefish, swordfish and king mackerel.
● ‘Good’ fats. Foods like avocados, almonds, pecans, walnuts, olives, and canola, olive and peanut oils are considered to have “good” fats because they can help lower your loved one’s cholesterol levels. Tip: eat these foods sparingly because all fats are also high in calories.
Create a plan
So, there are a few approaches that you can use to create a healthy diet for your loved one. Take a look at these tips:
● Count carbohydrates.
● Enlist the help of a dietitian.
● Utilize the glycemic index. Using the glycemic index has been proven valuable to some people who have diabetes in selecting the appropriate diabetes-friendly foods to eat.
How your home care provider can help
Remember, your home care provider is there to assist you and your elderly loved one as much as possible. A home care provider can help with everyday tasks like preparing healthy meals and helping to engage your loved one in appropriate physical activity and exercise. So, utilize your home care provider as much as you can.
If you or an aging loved one are considering elder care 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.
Source: Mayo Clinic
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