As we age, we undergo changes to both our bodies and our habits. It's important to be able to address the changing nutritional needs for seniors, especially when stocking nursing home supplies. Seniors may encounter digestive issues, appetite decline, and dehydration. All of these things can be countered with a healthy, well-rounded diet.
Snacks That Seniors Will Enjoy
The easier a snack is, the more accessible it is. When making snacks for seniors, it's important to make them both healthy and easy to eat. Here are a few nutritious ideas.
Nuts
Nuts are often avoided when on a diet—which is why they're perfect for seniors. Nuts pack a caloric punch, filled with healthy fats and proteins. It's easy to grab a handful of nuts to snack on, you just need to watch for any nut-related allergies.
Fresh Fruit
Fresh, sliced whole fruit is hard to beat. Dried fruit should be snacked on sparingly, as it's mostly sugar. Similarly, canned fruit tends to be higher in sugar than it really needs to be. Fresh fruit is good for the digestive track, contains a lot of nutrients, and is often sweet enough to be appealing.
Cheese and Crackers
A fast, easy, and protein-filled snack, sliced cheese and crackers is popular among all age groups. There are hundreds of types of cheese to choose from and the right crackers can provide fiber and nutrition rather than just being an empty carbohydrate.
Granola Bars
Granola bars and meal replacement bars are easy to eat and can be kept around for when seniors want a snack. Comprised mostly of nuts and dried fruit, granola bars often have a high calorie content. Just be mindful of the amounts of sugar and sodium that they contain.
Veggies and Dip
Many people don't like vegetables on their own, but dip can make the prospect more attractive. With a healthy dip, veggies can impart nutrition and water while still being enjoyable. Many vegetables (such as carrots and celery sticks) are easy to hold and eat.
Cheese Sticks
Cheese sticks have the core advantages of cheese and crackers while also being much easier to handle and eat. Cheese sticks have protein and fats, which are valuable for elders. Fats, in particular, can help for those who have lost weight—being underweight can make it difficult for seniors to recover from illness.
Popcorn
Popcorn is a surprisingly healthy snack as long as it isn't doused in butter and salt. For seniors who have over-eaten or are eating non-nutritious foods, popcorn can be a good option. While there isn't much nutritional value in popcorn, it's also a fairly low-calorie food. You can even serve it in individual popcorn bags for senior movie night.
Yogurt
Yogurt—in particular, Greek yogurt—is a good source of protein while also being a source of healthy living bacteria. The bacteria that lives in yogurt can be used to improve a person's digestive tract, which can further improve a person's overall health and nutritional profile.
Dark Chocolates
For those who have a sweet tooth, dark chocolates are often preferred. Dark chocolate has numerous health advantages; for example, it is a healthy antioxidant. Unlike milk chocolates and white chocolates, dark chocolate has fairly low sugar.
Some of these snacks will need to be tailored to the senior; as an example, many high protein snacks are not right for those who are lactose intolerant.
High Water Content Snacks
An additional concern for seniors is a lack of thirst in addition to a lack of appetite. This should always be considered when delivering snacks, as high water content snacks are often preferred for those who aren't drinking as much water as they used to. High water content snacks include:
- Specialty nursing home supplies such as high water jellies
- Flavored gelatin snacks and pudding cups
- Fresh fruits such as melons
Caffeine and salt can both increase dehydration and should therefore be avoided. Some foods, such as chocolate, have natural levels of caffeine—though they don't have to be avoided entirely, it should be considered.
Encouraging Seniors to Eat
Ultimately, all the nursing home supplies in the world may not counter the core issue: many seniors don't want to eat. Eating can be encouraged through the use of scheduled snack times, during which time seniors can socialize while also getting the nutrition that they need. This has the added bonus of keeping seniors more engaged with the activities at your assisted living center.
