6 Reasons Older Adults Should be Eating More Turkey

Elder Care in Amagansett NY

Turkey is a popular entrée for Thanksgiving and Christmas, while also being consumed throughout the year in sandwiches, main courses, and salad recipes. This lean meat is so popular in the United States that 2.5 million tons of it is consumed per year, making our country the world’s largest turkey producer. Elders on strict diets could benefit from eating more turkey, especially those in need of elder care due to a health condition. Get ready to find out why turkey should be eaten more by you and your aging loved one.

1. Feel fuller longer. Eating fast food or loading up on other high-fat, empty calorie meal will never give you the satisfaction of feeling full, causing you to still feel hungry long after devouring that last bite. Turkey is high in protein, which aids in maintaining healthy insulin levels and lean muscle mass for a meal that will satisfy your hunger for longer periods of time.
2. Contains the nutrient selenium. Older adults have a weaker immune system than that of young to middle-aged adults, making them more prone to illnesses. A case of pneumonia or the flu can have fatal consequences for elders due to their defenseless immune system. A healthy dose of selenium can boost the immune system health of your loved one, while also helping with their cognitive skills. Turkey is an excellent source of this mineral.
3. Pasture-raised turkeys have a high level of omega-3. Omega-3 is often found in fish, but can be found in larger quantities in pasture-raised turkeys compared to factory-raised turkeys. This mineral has been linked to preventing multiple sclerosis, prostate cancer, memory problems, and behavioral issues. Elders in need of home care due to Alzheimer’s disease could also benefit from omega-3 since consuming it could reduce the symptoms.
4. Increases relaxation. Have you ever heard of a turkey coma? It is a real thing, sort of. The amino acid found in turkey is called Tryptophan, which can produce serotonin and melatonin for a full body relaxation effect.
5. Promotes weight loss. The metabolism of adults slowly decreases as they get older, making it more important than ever to eat the right food. Turkey can help. It contains 37 percent of the daily allowance of vitamin B3 and 27 percent of the daily allowance of vitamin B6. The powerhouse of B vitamins found in this lean meat will help boost your metabolism, as well as help those suffering from chronic constipation.
6. Lower cholesterol. Turkey provides an excellent way for older adults to increase their HDL cholesterol (the good kind) and lower LDL cholesterol (the bad kind).
   Make turkey more than just a holiday food and encourage your loved one to have some two to three times per week in order to reap the health benefits of this superfood.

If you or an aging loved one are considering hiring professional Elder Care in Amagansett, NY, call the caring staff at Artful Home Care today at 631-685-5001.

Source:
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/285736.php
http://www.brainbalancecenters.com/blog/2013/11/healthy-bites-five-health-benefits-of-turkey/