Proper nutrition is essential for seniors who strive for independent living. A healthy combination of lean protein, fruits, vegetables and nuts can provide the necessary nutrients needed to keep the immune system strong and fight off certain diseases. Every senior has different dietary needs or restrictions depending on their body or their medical condition. However, snacking on the right types of foods between meals can be beneficial for the vast majority of people. Developing healthy habits takes some time and these delicious snacks can make the process easier.
Cold Snacks
A nice cold snack on a hot summer day is just what you need sometimes. But don’t reach for the popsicles, ice cream or other snacks loaded with sugar. Instead, try some of the following cold snacks that will be equally as refreshing:
- Frozen grapes
- Frozen bananas
- Greek yogurt
- Fruit smoothie
- Cottage cheese
- Cashew milk or unsweetened almond milk
It’s tempting to grab a convenient snack out of the freezer on a hot summer day, but try not to fall into the temptation and start your journey of developing healthy habits with these treats instead.
Crunchy Snacks
Many people believe crunchy snacks can satisfy their hunger or cravings better than anything else. If you like eating crunchy snacks, don’t reach for the unhealthy potato chips you bought at the grocery store. Try these other healthy alternatives instead:
- Baked apple chips
- Butterless and salt-free whole-grain popcorn
- Baked sweet potato chips
- Kale chips
- Baked banana chips
- Whole-grain crackers
- Cucumbers or carrots dipped in hummus
The great part about these snacks is you can easily make them at home and flavor them how you want for a great-tasting treat.
Specialty Snacks
If you want to take your snacking to the next level, get creative with some of these ideas:
- Roasted almonds
- Whole wheat toast with avocado
- Black beans and pita bread
- Seasoned edamame
- Bell peppers stuffed with guacamole
- Sliced tomatoes with olive oil and feta cheese
When you know which healthy foods you like, you can get as creative as you want to make some tasty specialty treats all summer long.
Remember The Water Also
No matter what snacks you indulge in this summer, it’s important to remember to stay hydrated as well. Some of the healthy snacks, particularly fruits and vegetables, will help keep you hydrated since they have high water content. Seniors often get dehydrated much more quickly than others so drinking extra water is ideal.
Next Day Access wants to help seniors stay safe this summer. Developing healthy habits is key to successfully aging in place. We offer mobility products to help you enjoy your home even with a mobility limitation. If you have trouble walking the stairs, a stair lift could be a great solution for you as you go in and out of your home. Don’t hesitate to contact us for a free home evaluation to see how we can help.
