From breakfast potatoes to hummus-topped English muffins, breakfast can be an incredibly satisfying and nutrition-packed meal. Preparing a healthy breakfast for senior loved ones provides them with a range of health benefits—so do not skip their most important meal of the day!

The term breakfast literally signifies the breaking of the overnight fast. Seniors who get a restful night’s sleep will not have eaten for eight to 10 hours by the time they wake up. A nourishing breakfast restores the aging body’s stores of nutrients and energy.

Breakfast foods contain essential vitamins, minerals and fiber. Consuming breakfast provides seniors with the iron, B vitamins, folate and calcium they need to meet the recommended daily intakes of nutrients. Necessary vitamins and minerals are delivered primarily through healthy foods.

Seniors who eat breakfast every morning are also able to control their weight. Breakfast satiates hunger before it becomes unbearable. As a result, when hunger strikes, elderly individuals are less likely to seek out readily available food products that may be laden with unhealthy fats and sugars.

The aging brain needs glucose to operate optimally. Glucose, or energy, gives the brain the fuel it needs to focus, remain attentive and remember things. Without eating a balanced breakfast, seniors may find that everyday tasks can feel more difficult to accomplish.

Many seniors are prescribed medications that must be taken in the morning and on a full stomach. Breakfast consequently becomes a necessary meal. Furthermore, eating a breakfast rich in fiber helps seniors regulate bowel functions. Eating breakfast is a part of a healthy lifestyle.

While the benefits of eating breakfast are numerous, some older individuals may suffer from chronic ailments that prevent them from standing over a hot stove or otherwise preparing a balanced breakfast daily. Caregivers and family can step in and whip up the following nutritious, easy-to-make breakfasts.

1.Egg Breakfasts

Eggs are an excellent breakfast choice for seniors. As a natural source of protein, eggs provide older adults with the energy they need throughout the day. Eggs have high amounts of Vitamin D, which promotes calcium absorption and helps prevent osteoporosis. Being soft, eggs are easy to chew.

Whip up egg muffins by mixing in peppers, onions, mushrooms and tomatoes into a bowl of eggs. Consider adding sausage and cheese for a protein boost. Pour the mixture into cupcake pans and bake. The senior will enjoy a tasty breakfast filled with calcium, protein, vitamins and minerals.

If the senior has issues with high cholesterol, limit egg breakfasts. Instead, provide the senior with ample amounts of protein by preparing tofu scrambles. One cup of tofu contains 20 grams of protein. Simply cook the tofu with cheese or vegetables and serve as a healthy breakfast dish.

2.Breakfast Fruit

Cantaloupe, blueberries and oranges contain vitamin C and antioxidants that help ward off illness. Prepare a colorful fruit salad with chunks of fruits. Alternately, prepare a fruit smoothie by blending mango, cottage cheese, vanilla and almonds for a protein-packed, fiber-rich breakfast.

3.Oatmeal Breakfasts

Vital antioxidants may be delivered by mixing fruit in oatmeal. Use low-fat milk in the oatmeal for a creamy texture; the fruit provides natural sweetness. Instant oatmeal is easy to chew and digest, which is helpful for seniors who have difficulty chewing.

Jazz up an ordinary bowl of oatmeal with canned pumpkin, cinnamon, nutmeg and vanilla, and turn it into a feast for the taste buds. Toss in almonds, pecans or walnuts and drizzle in maple syrup. This tasty breakfast provides a healthy dose of potassium, magnesium, vitamin K and fiber.

4.Breakfast Potatoes

Potatoes are packed with potassium, even more so than bananas. One potato contains over 25 percent of an individual’s daily potassium needs. Potatoes can be prepared in unhealthy ways, so it is vital that caregivers utilize healthy recipes for senior care recipients.

Sautee chopped potatoes in olive oil and add a helping of fresh vegetables. For another wholesome version, thinly slice the potatoes and roast them on a sheet pan. Potatoes prepared healthily provide fiber, vitamins and minerals to the aging body. They are also soft enough for seniors to easily consume.

5.Bread Breakfasts

Top whole-grain English muffins with hummus and a sprig of spinach. Hummus is made from chickpeas and contains sufficient quantities of protein. Or, top a slice of multi-grain toast with a slice of avocado. The fruit is loaded with healthy fats, and the bread provides a good dose of fiber.

An even more exciting twist to avocado toast is spreading mashed avocado over a toasted bagel, topping it with diced chicken and adding a sliced tomato. As a hearty breakfast, this preparation delivers extra protein, vitamins and minerals to keep the senior going strong all day.

Preparing a healthy breakfast for a senior loved one may be too time-consuming for even the most well-intentioned family member. When you need help caring for an aging person on a daily basis at home, turn to the compassionate caregivers at Assisting Hands Home Care.

Our team of professional caregivers is experienced in providing quality elder care throughout the day and/or night. Routine care responsibilities include preparing balanced meals in accordance with the senior’s dietary restrictions, assisting with personal hygiene, providing transportation, giving medication reminders and serving as pleasant companions.

Assisting Hands Home Care services are nonmedical in nature yet comprehensive. We offer flexible arrangements that fit any family’s needs. Our professionals are available as 24-hour or live-in caregivers. Respite care, post-operative care, hospice care and companion care are included in our many home care options.

We also help seniors and their families identify community resources for such things as estate planning, advanced directives and reverse mortgages. When you seek reliable elder care, trust Assisting Hands Home Care. We serve seniors living in DuPage and Cook counties, Illinois. Call us for a complimentary in-home assessment.

Source:https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/healthyliving/breakfast