Many people have a sweet tooth, more frequently craving sweet flavors than salty, and enjoying an indulgent treat as often as possible. If you are like many family caregivers, however, you likely discourage your senior from eating many sweets, worrying that this will negatively impact their health and well-being. Fortunately, there are ways that you can strike a balance. With studies showing that eating dark chocolate regularly can offer a wide variety of health benefits and the market filling up with delicious and healthy alternatives, there are ways that you can help your parent satisfy a sweet tooth without sabotaging their healthy diet.

Let these ideas inspire you for ways that you can let your parent indulge without feeling guilty:

• Break out the chocolate. A serving of dark chocolate a day can lower your parent’s blood pressure, improve their heart health, lower their risk for certain cancers, reduce risk of skin problems, reduce stroke risk, boost your parent’s mood, and even protect them from diabetes or help them manage it. Talk to their doctor about these benefits and how to responsibly integrate them into your parent’s diet.

• Try an alternative. If your parent is an ice cream lover, try a dairy-free option. There are many of these alternatives on the shelves right now, made with a wide variety of dairy replacements including coconut milk, cashew milk, and almond milk. While these may have nearly the same calorie count as their regular counterparts, they are far lower in fat and cholesterol, and often have a boost of protein and vitamins, making them a healthier option for a treat.

• Bump up their meals. It does not take much to make a meal seem special and indulgent. Try adding a tablespoon or two of whipped cream and a few dark chocolate shavings on top of a fruit salad for breakfast or using chocolate protein powder to make a power-packed smoothie

If you have been looking for ways to boost your aging parent’s quality of life and help them to experience a lifestyle that is more independent, engaged, and fulfilling, now may be the ideal time for you to consider starting elderly care for them. An elderly home care services provider can work with you to determine a customized schedule that ensures your senior loved one gets all of the care and assistance that they need in a way that manages their individual needs and challenges while also encouraging more independence and activity as they age in place. This not only helps to keep your parent safer, more comfortable, healthier, and happier, but it can make a tremendous difference to you as their family caregiver. Knowing that your loved one has this type of highly personalized care available to them can ease your mind, help you to manage your stress, and ensure that you have the time, energy, and effort to focus on yourself, your children, your partner, and other important elements of your life while knowing that your senior is in good hands.

Source
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/08/12/chocolate-health-benefits_n_1383372.html

If You Or An Aging Loved One Are Considering Hiring Elderly Care in Pinellas Park, FL, Please Contact The Caring Staff At Assisting Hands Home Care Today! 727-748-4211.