Nutrition and Proper Portion Control for Seniors During #NationalNutritionMonth

Health Eating for Seniors  |  March 5, 2018

What Every Senior in Edmonton, AB Needs to Know About Nutrition and Proper Portion Control

Portion Control for Seniors | Celebrate National Nutrition Month by ensuring that your senior loved one is eating the correct portion of food. Seniors often eat larger portion sizes than they need, and senior adults who are not educated on portion control can often underestimate how much they are eating. Too large of portions can cause unhealthy weight gain.

March is #NationalNutritionMonth

Here are some elderly care tips for older adults and seniors who would like to ensure they’re eating proper portions:

Avoid Skipping Meals or Going Too Long Without Eating: Seniors and older adults who skip regularly scheduled meals are more likely to become hungry and eat nonnutritious foods and portions that are too large. Sticking to a regular meal schedule consisting of nutrition-filled meals, as well as having 2-3 healthy snacks throughout the day, is ideal for seniors. Whenever possible, older adults should refrain from going more than five hours without eating.

Share Meals or Ask for A Doggy Bag: Restaurants and cafes are known for their oversized portions. Seniors who dine out often should offer to share meals with family and friends or ask for half of their meals to be packed up. Portion control can condition a senior’s body to become fuller after eating smaller quantities of food so they can attain their weight loss goals and maintain a healthy weight.

Nutritious Foods First: Seniors should ensure that most of their plates consist of vegetables, whole grains, fruits, lean proteins, and other fiber-filled foods. This means there will be less of a chance of overindulging in sweets, unhealthy fats, and snack foods that have little to no nutritional value.

Utilize Cups and Scales to Measure the Correct Portions: Measuring cups and scales meant for kitchen use can help seniors stick to the correct portion size with their meals. After regular use of measuring cups and correct portion control, seniors will be able to estimate proper portions later on.

Drink Water: Staying hydrated and drinking enough water can help seniors feel full and can help cut back on calories without experiencing feelings of hunger. Seniors and adults alike should drink at least eight 8-ounce glasses of water every day.

Use Smaller Plates and Dishes: Those who have been taught to “clean their plates” at meals to avoid food waste are likely to overeat if they are using large plates and dishes. Smaller plates can help give the appearance of a larger portion size and prevent adding too many calories to the plate.

Comfort Keepers® in Edmonton Can Help with In-Home Elderly Care!

If you are concerned about the health and well-being of your aging loved ones we can help. Comfort Keepers®’ trained caregivers help provide senior clients with the highest quality of life possible to keep them happy and healthy at home. 

Companionship and Interactive Caregiving™

Our Interactive Caregiving™ provides a system of care that addresses safety, nutrition, mind, body, and activities of daily living (ADLs).

Moreover, our trained caregivers are selected with one specific quality in mind: empathy. Empathetic care is care that starts in the heart, and it allows us to meet our client’s exact needs. 

Learn more about our unique service offering by contacting the Comfort Keepers Edmonton office. If you live in Devon, Edmonton, Sherwood Park, or Stony Plain and surrounding areas, contact Comfort Keepers at 780-465-4665.

Comfort Keepers® Edmonton is an Approved Service Provider for the Client Directed Homecare Invoicing Program Offered by Alberta Health Services. Is Invoicing the Right Option for You?  Read more about the program HERE.

Comfort Keepers Edmonton is here to help you and your loved ones get the best care possible. Awarded the “Accredited with Exemplary Standing” seal by Accreditation Canada. Our Edmonton location has achieved the highest available certification in Canada for Home Care services, clearly demonstrating Comfort Keepers’ commitment to offering safe, high-quality home care to its senior clients in Edmonton.

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