With age comes a variety of conditions that can make staying healthy more challenging. One way to help ensure that your senior loved one avoids certain age-related conditions is through promoting nutritious eating habits. At Home Care Assistance in Waterloo, our senior care experts suggest that having your loved one eat Greek yogurt every day is one way to promote a healthy and wholesome diet.
1. Supports Bowel Elimination
Chronic constipation affects approximately 20% of seniors over the age of 65. The most common reasons for constipation in the elderly include immobility, insufficient fluid and fiber intake, as well as side effects of conditions like dementia and Parkinson’s. The probiotics, like yeast and healthy bacteria, in Greek yogurt, however, can help the intestines digest food easier. If your loved one experiences reduced bowel function, giving him or her one serving of Greek yogurt with breakfast daily can help diminish episodes of constipation.
2. Provides Protein
Many seniors underestimate the importance of eating enough protein as they age. This vital ingredient promotes bone strength, reduces chances of osteoporosis, helps repair damaged tissue, and causes healthy cell growth. Since Greek yogurt contains even more protein than traditional yogurt, a single serving can help your loved one meet his or her daily protein requirements.
3. Offers a Dessert Alternative
Seniors whose doctors want them to cut down on sugary desserts are in luck. Frozen or semi-frozen Greek yogurt has the same texture as frozen yogurt and ice cream, but without the same fat, sugar, and calories. For a sweet treat on a hot day, an hourly caregiver in Waterloo can serve your loved one homemade or store-bought Greek yogurt popsicles. To make these at home, simply have a caregiver fill a popsicle tray with Greek yogurt and berries and freeze for at least an hour.
4. Controls Blood Pressure
The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Pressure Institute recommends that seniors with high blood pressure eat two to three servings of non-fat foods that are rich in vitamins every day to fight sodium in the kidneys. Greek yogurt fulfills these criteria perfectly, containing little fat and high levels of sodium-reducing nutrients, like calcium, magnesium, and potassium.
If you begin incorporating Greek yogurt into your elderly loved one’s diet, he or she will already be on the road to a healthier diet. For other strategies that can promote your loved one’s health and wellness, turn to Home Care Assistance. Our experienced caregivers are expertly trained to help seniors eat well by providing assistance with grocery shopping, meal preparation, and following physician-recommended dietary guidelines. To learn more about how our care services, including Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, and dementia care in Waterloo, can support a nutritious senior diet, reach out to an experienced Care Manager at (519) 954-2111 and schedule a complimentary in-home consultation.