Healthy Thanksgiving Dish Options for Seniors – Evergreen Senior Living

Blog


Healthy Thanksgiving Dish Options for Seniors

Thanksgiving is a great time to get together with loved ones and celebrate what we’re thankful for. However, depending on the family, the dishes served may not be the healthiest or easiest for older adults to digest. It’s important to factor nutrition into the meals, too, especially if seniors attend. The good news is that there are many delicious and healthy options. This includes foods like:

  • Roasted, lean turkey breast
  • Low sodium ham
  • Brussels sprouts
  • Green beans
  • Sweet potatoes
  • Squash
  • Baked potato
  • Cranberry sauce

There are, of course, many more options available; these are just a few that are commonly served. Just as there are many options that seniors can enjoy, there are many they should try not to eat. Many popular Thanksgiving options are packed with calories and sugar. Although they may be delicious and tempting, it’s important that seniors try to avoid these items as they can be hard on their bodies. Some of these include:

  • Fried turkey skin
  • Stuffing
  • Heavy mac and cheese
  • High calorie casseroles
  • Prepackaged gravy or cranberry sauce
  • Mashed potatoes
  • High sugar and calorie pies
  • Candied sweet potatoes

The holidays are when many of us let our diets go to the side. Between Thanksgiving and Christmas, many of our family members tend to bring delicious yet unhealthy foods to parties. We’ve all had our fair share of these items – sometimes, they are simply irresistible. It’s okay to have things in moderation. A few bites of mashed potatoes or a couple of spoons of mac and cheese is not the end of the world. The problem is that these items can be difficult to eat only a small amount. Eating an excess of these foods can lead to health issues.

At Evergreen Place in Champaign, we ensure that our residents get proper nutrition. We realize that seniors have different dietary needs than younger adults, and we adjust to that. We believe that balance is a key aspect in all areas of life. For more information about dining options at our location, give us a call today or schedule a tour on our website!

Related Posts