With a few basic ideas, creating healthy vegetarian dishes for your senior loved one can be an easy task. These simple, delicious meals can be customized with your choice of vegetables, spices, herbs, or other ingredients.
1. Lentil Curry
Lentils are high in protein and fiber. To make a simple curry, add lentils, sweet potatoes, onions, and carrots to a slow cooker and stir in some curry spices. After the lentils are soft, finish the curry with coconut milk. This type of milk contains vitamin B, iron, and manganese, and it’s also high in lauric acid, a medium-chain fatty acid that’s easily absorbed and quickly converted into energy.
Seniors with limited mobility or other health issues may need assistance with cooking, eating, and managing other daily tasks. If your aging loved one needs help managing everyday tasks or encouragement to adopt healthier lifestyle choices, turn to Home Care Assistance, a leading provider of home care service. Home Care Assistance provides professional in-home caregivers around the clock to help seniors live longer, happier, and healthier lives.
2. Overnight Oats
Oats are high in fiber, which prevents some types of cancer and promotes feelings of fullness. To make the dish, soak oats in almond, soy, or regular milk overnight. Before serving, add fresh fruits or nut butter to the oats to increase the protein content.
3. Tofu Stir Fry
Firm tofu is a superfood that’s high in protein, calcium, and heart-healthy vitamin E. To make this dish, marinate the tofu in a blend of spices and herbs and cook it with a variety of colorful vegetables. You can easily modify the recipe by adding your loved one’s favorite vegetables, or you can stick with classics like sugar snap peas, onions, baby corn, and water chestnuts.
Every senior has different needs when aging in place. Some simply need occasional assistance with household chores, while others may be managing serious illnesses and require more extensive live-in care. Anchorage seniors can count on Home Care Assistance to provide the in-home care they need and deserve.
4. Brown Bean & Vegetable Burritos
Brown beans contain a variety of minerals and nutrients, including potassium, vitamin B, and iron. To give vegetarian burritos an extra nutritional boost, serve them with heart-healthy vegetables like avocado, tomato, lettuce, and cilantro. Use plain Greek yogurt as a substitute for sour cream to boost protein and calcium while adding digestion-friendly probiotics to the meal.
5. Chilled Berry Soup
Berries contain antioxidants like vitamin C to boost the immune system and prevent a variety of diseases. Blueberries, acai berries, and strawberries are a tasty combination packed with antioxidants. For extra tartness, add a few cooked cranberries. Cranberries support a healthy urinary system and are a good source of potassium, fiber, and vitamin C. To prepare the soup, just blend any combination of fresh berries together and chill before serving. Add a bit of honey to enhance the natural sweetness of the berries.
6. Vegetable Soup
Nothing is more versatile than vegetable soup. Add pasta, barley, or rice to a blend of vegetables for a heart-healthy and nutritious soup. To boost the nutritional value of the soup significantly, try adding kale to the recipe. Kale is a superfood that’s high in vitamins A, C, and K, and it’s a good source of iron, calcium, potassium, and a variety of other vitamins and minerals.
Switching to vegetarian meals is one of the many ways seniors can boost their health and enjoy a high quality of life. Seniors who want to remain healthy as they age can benefit in a variety of ways when they receive professional elder care. Anchorage, AK, Home Care Assistance is here to help your loved one accomplish daily tasks, prevent illness, and focus on living a healthier and more fulfilling life. Reach out to one of our Care Managers today at (907) 770-0907 to schedule a free in-home consultation.