Home Instead Senior Care

You cant always be there, but we can

Tag: healthy food

Things You Must Know If You’re A Diabetic Patient

August 26, 2022 / / 0 Comments

Do you want to keep your blood sugar steady but are not sure how? Stress not! Firstly, you just have to focus on having a balanced, lower glycemic diet. Secondly, you also need to keep track of what and how much you eat, because eating healthy is an extremely important factor in maintaining healthy blood sugar levels. To help you understand better, we have compiled some important things that you need to consider if you’re a diabetic patient. Scroll down to read more.

1. Foods to Eat as a Diabetic Person

If you have diabetes and high blood sugar levels and wish to maintain a healthy lifestyle, here are some foods that can help you lower your blood sugar levels.

  • Fatty fish: Salmon, sardines, herring, anchovies, and mackerel
  • Leafy greens: Spinach, kale, chard, lettuce, etc.
  • Avocados
  • Chia seeds
  • Broccoli
  • Flaxseeds

Related: “Best Nutritional Foods to Improve a Senior’s Diet”

2. Foods to Avoid if You Are Diabetic

Diabetes can affect almost every part of your body without you even realizing it. Therefore, it is necessary to pay close attention to the food you eat. To help you understand better, we have listed some food items that you must avoid in order to maintain a healthy blood sugar level naturally.

  • Sugar-sweetened beverages
  • Trans fats, white bread, rice, and pasta
  • Fruit-flavored yogurt
  • Sweetened breakfast cereals and coffee drinks
  • Honey agave nectar and maple syrup
  • Dried fruit

Related: “The Hypertension Diets for Seniors”

3. Exercising

We have all heard this quote: “Health is wealth”. Exercising regularly helps in improving your health while maintaining a healthy weight. Drinking plenty of water can also add benefits to your health. So, if you want to stay healthy, start off by exercising. Even simple activities can make a big change to a sedentary lifestyle.

4. Must Have Medical Devices

Nowadays, there are many diabetic devices available on the market. These devices are easy to use and less invasive. So, purchasing these devices will not only help you monitor your sugar level while sitting at home, but will also keep track of your blood level. Some of the best devices are listed below.

  • Ketone monitor
  • Blood glucose monitor
  • Continuous glucose monitor
  • Insulin pumps
  • Smart insulin pens
  • Diabetes management apps

5. Expert Advice

Though we understand that diabetic devices are super handy, consulting with a diabetes specialist is also very important at the same time. These experts can provide you with the best diabetes treatment based on your condition, diabetes level, and type. So, if you haven’t visited a healthcare professional for your diabetes treatment yet, we recommend you do so.

Related: “Home Care Help for Diabetic Seniors”

The Bottom Line

We hope the above advice helps you in maintaining your diabetes. If you need professional and friendly diabetes senior care in Wilmington, NC, look no further than Home Instead Senior Care. Visit our website or give us a call at (910) 342-0455 to learn more about our services.

The Hypertension Diets for Seniors

February 25, 2021 / / 0 Comments

Hypertension is a manageable condition otherwise known as high blood pressure, which is when the force of blood against the artery walls is too high. If hypertension is left untreated it can lead to severe consequences including heart attack, stroke, aneurysm or worse. Below we discuss some diets that have shown to make the most significant positive changes in the health of those living with hypertension.  

DASH Diet

The DASH diet stands for Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension. It’s comprised of dietary guidelines that, when followed, encourage a greater consumption of a variety of nutrients that naturally reduce blood pressure. The basic rules of this diet involve eating mostly fruits, vegetables, and low fat dairy products as well as whole grains, lean protein, and nuts.

Mediterranean Diet

The Mediterranean diet is very similar to the DASH diet in that they both naturally promote overall health and work to reduce hypertension naturally. This diet is based upon a pyramid structure with a foundation of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, a second tier of fish, a third tier of poultry and dairy, and a top tier of red meats and sweets.

Salt Reduction

The easiest and simplest way to reduce blood pressure and hypertension naturally is to decrease the levels of salt you ingest. According to Harvard Health when you consume too much salt your body holds on to water in an effort to dilute it. Unfortunately this extra water increases your blood volume, which causes your heart to work harder to pump blood through your blood vessels. 

Final Thoughts

When you or your loved one is diagnosed with hypertension the reasons to stay proactive in its management are endless. If your family could use more support when it comes to senior care, nutrition, socialization and more call on the compassionate professionals at Home Instead Senior Care. Our goal has always been to help our clients and their families’ age happily together at home.

Healthy, Home-Cooked Meals for Your Senior

April 8, 2020 / / 0 Comments

Preparing a healthy meal for your loved one doesn’t have to be a challenge! Even if you’re a busy individual but still need to care for your elder, you can plan ahead with a few simple meals. These dishes are not only delicious, but nutritious as well. They can be cooked with limited prep time and stay fresh in the freezer when you’re ready to use them. Find out which healthy meals you can make at home for your senior by reading our blog!

Nutritional Meal Ideas

Mix and match your senior’s menu with tasty recipes for lunch, dinner, or a mid-day snack. Ranging from sweet to savory, we’ve listed examples of meals that are packed with nutritional value, but still have the flavors your loved one can appreciate.

  • Chicken and vegetable hand pies: This entrée combines whole grains, vegetables, and chicken. It’s easy to make in batches that can be frozen for up to six months.
  • Apple cinnamon French toast: Almond milk, organic eggs, apples, flaxseed, and pumpkin puree are great sources of soluble fiber and protein in this recipe. You can make this ahead and freeze for up to two months.
  • Mediterranean quinoa burger: Another meal you can make and freeze for up to two months, these filling burgers are rich with fiber and protein. Whole grain wheat buns and fresh veggies complement this burger.
  • Egg muffins with kale, roasted red peppers, and feta cheese: These simple egg cups are a delicious source of protein that can be turned in to a meal any time of day. For a busy caregiver, they make a tasty on-the-go breakfast too.
  • Signature spicy, smoky, and sweet chili: This crockpot meal is easy to make and freeze. You can substitute the ground beef with ground turkey to make it even healthier.

Conclusion

Our trained caregivers at Home Instead Senior Care​ can help your loved one with a healthy, well-balanced diet. From the grocery shopping to the meal prep, our in-home caregivers can provide meals that appeal to all tastes and dietary restrictions. Call or visit our website to learn how our mealtime services can help your loved one eat well and stay well!

My Parents Won’t Eat Healthy. Help!

July 30, 2019 / / 0 Comments

Finding the perfect nutritious menu for oneself can be quite a challenge, but getting one for another—especially someone who has a particularly strong penchant for greasy foods—can be a whole other conundrum. If you’re trying to help your beloved parents practice healthy eating habits, this blogpost is for you!

1. Research avidly.

If we’re willing to look up the restaurants with the best prices and best quality, why not do the same for our loved ones, especially the ones who nurtured you? Go the extra mile by being familiar with the stores with organic foods, and restaurants that use top-notch ingredients. Does your old man enjoy that salad along with too much dressing? Does that fast food meat even qualify as real meat? Does that “healthy” snack contain a vile amount of high-fructose corn syrup? Get your parents to be students of Nutrition Facts and food labels. It’s pretty fun, too!

2. Sit them down and have the talk.

Swaying someone from their favorite heart-attack-inducing foods is often difficult, and may get very messy; however, recognizing that it is a necessary confrontation will help you stand your ground. Remembering you are trying to save a life or lives—the very ones of your precious folks—is crucial. Don’t mince words about obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases. Help your parents grasp the gravity of the situation; at the same time, help them count the cost, and fully mourn with them what they will lose: their high-sodium morsels and processed foods. Spend enough downtime with them; give them the love and encouragement they need from you.

3. Have a blast with the alternatives!

Here comes the fun part. Whether it’s grocery-shopping with your parents to help them grab those fiber-rich snacks or making a list of fruits and veggies that they enjoy, you can collaborate with your parents to come up with a meal plan that suits them. Show them a world devoid of preservatives and additives! Let them pick out their favorites from the shelves. Recommend those lesser known items that have done wonders for your own health and share those health hacks that you’ve picked up.

4. Hold them accountable.

Now that your folks themselves realize that what they put into their bodies really matters, their relationship to their food should inevitably be affected, right? Well, it’s easier said than done. In order to truly reap the benefits for the long haul, discipline must be established. Check in with your parents regularly, and ask them how they are keeping up with their goals. “Are you skipping the sugar when eating cereal, Dad? Is the juice in the fridge freshly squeezed or artificial, Mom?” The best and most effective way to change your own eating habits is to become fully convinced about your need to change; the same goes for your parents. Remind them if they seem to forget. Patience is key.

 

Conclusion

Strategize, strategize, and strategize. Meal preparation and nutrition takes work and sacrifice. Your parents were there to feed you only the best, and now you can return the favor. Have their back by giving them those words of praise when they stick by their new meal plan. And if they slip up, don’t be harsh; bear with them just like they bear with you. For more advice, call on Home Instead Senior Care today!

Follow Us

Contact Us

  • Phone
    888-484-5759
  • Address
    2505 S 17th St #110
    Wilmington, NC 28401

© 2024 Home Instead Senior Care

Theme by Anders Noren — Up ↑