Can Snacking Actually Help Your Senior Lose Weight?
Wanting to lose weight and get healthy is one of the most common resolutions for people at the New Year.
This is a fantastic time to set your sights on it getting healthier as you look ahead to the fresh new year. If you are a family caregiver for one of the many people who want to lose weight this year, it is important to recognize the value of this role in your parent’s pursuit of their goals. You can help your senior modify their daily lifestyle to help them lose weight and maintain it without it being stressful and overwhelming.
One way you can hope your senior lose weight is to encourage them to snack.
While it might seem counterintuitive to think of adding extra food to your senior’s diet as a means of helping them to lose weight, studies have indicated that regular, healthy snacking can be an extremely effective way to help your senior lose the pounds and keep them off.
Healthy snacking can help your senior lose weight because it helps to balance blood sugar, control hunger, and introduce nutrients into their diet. Rather than eating large meals, your senior can then eat smaller meals with intermittent snacking that curbs cravings and reduces the chances your senior will reach for high-fat, high-calorie, or high sugar snacks, or overindulge when it’s time for meals.
Of course, not all snacks are equal. If your senior wants to snack with the purpose of losing weight, they need to choose healthy options. Some of the best snacks for those seeking weight loss include:
-Mixed nuts that provide an exceptional balance of fat, fiber, and protein. Combining these nutrients creates satiety and promotes sustained energy.
-Raw vegetables and guacamole provide fiber and healthy fats, as well as vitamins and minerals. The crunchy feeling of the raw vegetables is highly satisfying while the creamy texture and plant-based fat of the guacamole curbs hunger and provides energy.
-Greek yogurt and berries are fantastic for a senior with a sweet tooth. The thick, creamy texture of the Greek yogurt is satisfying and feels indulgent, while the fruit offers sweetness. This snack provides fiber and protein, as well as vitamins and minerals.
-Cottage cheese with flax seeds and a sprinkle of cinnamon is a filling snack that provides a wide range of health benefits. Cottage cheese and flax seeds both provide protein, while cinnamon is linked to anti-inflammatory properties. Flax seeds also contain fatty acids important for brain health. Make sure to choose full-fat cottage cheese to provide conjugated linoleic acid, which is linked to reducing body fat.
-Raw vegetables and hummus offer a fantastic combination of fiber, protein, vitamins, healthy fats, and fatty acids that curb hunger, provide sustainable energy, boost brain health, and also protects the heart.
Elder care can be a fantastic way to encourage your senior to eat a healthier diet.
An elderly home care services provider can step in to support your senior’s ability to manage their own diet. This can provide a sense of control and autonomy important for mental and emotional well-being. An elderly home care services provided by them include transportation to the grocery store, assisting with grocery shopping, helping them with meal and snack preparation, and encouraging good hydration. Combined with the other highly personalized services of this type of care provider, this healthy eating support can help your parent to live their best life as they age in place.
If you or an aging loved one is considering hiring Home Health Care in Hampton Bay, NY, call the caring staff at Artful Home Care today at 631-685-5001.
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