5 Ways To Help Your Senior Parent Get More Fiber

Seniors need fiber to stay healthy, and seniors who are living independently may not be getting enough of it. If your senior parent is living alone they may not be eating a balanced diet that is giving them the amount of fiber they need.

Fiber is important because it can help regulate blood sugar. It can also improve heart health, improve digestion, and help seniors maintain a healthy weight. Getting enough fiber is also important because it helps seniors keep their immune system strong.

Natural fiber is found in foods like fresh fruit and vegetables and whole grains. Those foods are essentials for seniors, but seniors often aren’t eating enough of them.

If your mom or dad isn’t getting regular meals or healthy meals because they have a hard time cooking home care can help. A home care provider can help your mom or dad shop for healthy fresh foods and cook healthy meals.

Some easy ways that you or a home care provider can help your mom or dad get more fiber in their diet are:

Incorporate Whole Grains into Meals

Whole grains like oats, brown rice, quinoa, and whole wheat bread are excellent sources of fiber. Swapping refined grains for whole grains can make a significant difference in the quality of the meals that your mom or dad is eating.

To get your mom or dad to eat more whole grains you could do things like encourage them to try oatmeal or whole-grain toast for breakfast, with some fresh fruit. And serve whole grain brown rice or quinoa as a side dish with dinner instead of potatoes or pasta.

Add More Fruits and Vegetables

Fruits like apples, pears, and berries and vegetables like broccoli, carrots, and Brussels sprouts are full of fiber as well as vitamins and minerals. Try adding at least two servings of fruits and vegetables into every meal. And offer fresh fruit or cut-up veggies with dip for snacks.

For example, sliced fruits with a high-protein Greek yogurt dip can be a great snack. You can increase the amount of veggies that your mom or dad eats by adding veggies to soups or casseroles.

Serve more Legumes and Beans

Legumes, including beans, lentils, and chickpeas, are fiber-packed and versatile. They can be added to soups, salads, and stews or blended into dips like hummus. Try more meals that focus on fiber-rich plant-based foods, giving your parent’s digestive system a fiber boost.

If your mom or dad has home care, a home care provider that cooks their meals can try serving different types of bean dishes to find out which ones your senior parent prefers. A 7-bean soup or a 3-bean casserole are comfort food classics your mom or dad will love.

Choose High-Fiber Snacks

Encourage your senior parent to eat healthy, high-fiber snacks like nuts, seeds, and popcorn These snacks are easy to prepare and satisfying while providing an extra dose of fiber. Fiber bars can also be a good choice, just look for ones that are soft enough for your mom or dad to eat and ones that don’t have a lot of added sugar. Whole wheat squares filled with fruit are a great fiber-filled snack.

Try Fiber Supplements if Needed

If your mom or dad still isn’t getting enough fiber from food alone, ask their doctor if they should try fiber supplements. Products like psyllium husk or inulin powder can be added to drinks or meals if the doctor thinks that’s a better way to make sure your senior parent is getting enough fiber.

If you or an aging loved one are considering Home Care in Riverhead, NY, call the caring staff at Artful Home Care today at (631) 685-5001