Caregivers, seniors, and their families should emphasize the importance of a healthy diet. A scrumptious and nutrition-rich diet plan can go a long way toward enhancing your senior loved one’s quality of life. If your parents or grandparents enjoy Japanese food, you can treat them with any of these five healthy delights without worrying about bad cholesterol.
1. Miso Soup
A single bowl of miso soup contains a full serving of fermented soybeans, and these legumes are packed with isoflavones. In addition to keeping your loved one energized, isoflavones also have many anticarcinogenic properties. Consuming a few bowls of miso soup every week can reduce the risk of breast, throat, lung, and stomach cancer in seniors. Miso paste can also be added to several other dishes, such as grilled fatty tuna.
A healthy diet is a good way to boost your loved one’s quality of life and preserve his or her health. If your aging loved one needs help managing everyday tasks or encouragement to adopt healthier lifestyle choices, turn to Home Care Assistance, a leading provider of at-home care. Home Care Assistance provides professional in-home caregivers around the clock to help seniors live longer, happier, and healthier lives.
2. Tofu
As long as your loved one doesn’t have a soy allergy, tofu can be an extremely healthy addition to his or her diet. These cubes are rich in protein and have fewer calories than almost every type of meat. Tofu is also one of the most versatile ingredients in Japanese cuisine. It can easily be added to soups, salads, and noodle dishes.
3. Shiitake Mushrooms
Shiitake mushrooms are found in many traditional Japanese dishes, and they’ve also been used for medical purposes for thousands of years. This protein-rich food contains very few calories per serving. It can reduce the risk of many age-related health conditions, such as cardiovascular disease and high blood pressure.
If you need help ensuring your loved one gets proper nutrition, consider hiring a home caregiver. In Rocklin, respite care is a great help to many families. Caring for a senior loved one can be overwhelming at times, which puts family caregivers at risk for burnout. However, an in-home caregiver can take over your loved one’s care, allowing you the time you need to focus on your own health, maintain a full-time job, or care for other members of your family.
4. Fatty Tuna
Japan has considerably lower rates of diabetes and obesity, partly because many people follow fish-based diets, which are helpful for seniors with weight issues or blood sugar–related ailments. Contrary to its name, fatty tuna is a lean source of protein and doesn’t taste like other fatty meats. Just two or three servings of fresh tuna a week can lower bad cholesterol levels and boost the immune system.
5. Seaweed
Fatty tuna isn’t the only Japanese superfood from the sea. Seaweed is packed with a wide variety of essential vitamins and minerals, including iodine, zinc, and vitamin B12. If your loved one doesn’t like the taste or texture of raw seaweed, he or she can try dried and salted seaweed for a healthy snack that provides a healthy dose of vitamins, minerals, and nutrients.
Adopting foods from the Japanese diet can promote longevity and significantly reduce the risk of various health conditions. Seniors who want to remain healthy as they age can benefit in a variety of ways when they receive professional in-home care. Rocklin, CA, Home Care Assistance is here to help your loved one accomplish daily tasks, prevent illness, and focus on living a healthier and more fulfilling life. For more information about our flexible, customizable home care plans, call one of our compassionate Care Managers today at (916) 226-3737.