Cravings for greasy foods are difficult for some seniors to ignore. Though an occasional indulgence isn’t usually going to cause serious health conditions, it’s important for your aging loved one to understand why eating greasy food regularly is detrimental to his or her health. Here are five of the top reasons to keep your loved one’s diet free of greasy foods.
1. Excessive Calories
Weight management is crucial for preventing conditions like diabetes and heart disease. Fried foods contain far more calories than seniors need in their diets. If your loved one is worried about getting full at every meal, keep in mind a cup of apples has fewer calories and can satisfy an appetite for longer than a cup of french fries.
Many seniors need a bit of help juggling all the details involved in optimizing their long-term health. Seniors who want to remain healthy as they age can benefit in a variety of ways when they receive professional elderly home care. 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.
2. Digestive Discomfort
There’s a reason commercials for heartburn medication often show seniors eating big greasy meals before their discomfort starts. Many digestive disorders are aggravated by grease. Crohn’s disease, irritable bowel syndrome, and acid reflux are just a few conditions that require seniors to scale back on greasy meals. If your loved one still craves fried food, try using an air fryer.
3. Higher Cholesterol
Greasy foods contain high levels of trans fats that raise the bad cholesterol in a senior’s blood. Over time, the accumulation of cholesterol creates blockages in the arteries. To prevent heart disease, your loved one should aim to add healthier fats to his or her diet. One healthy choice is olive oil, which breaks down better than animal fats.
If your loved one needs help preparing nutritious meals, consider hiring a home caregiver. Rocklin respite care professionals can assist seniors with a wide array of daily tasks, offering family caregivers the chance to focus on other personal responsibilities or take a break to prevent burnout. Whether it’s for a few hours a day or a few days a week, respite care is the perfect solution for family caregivers who are feeling overwhelmed.
4. Low Nutritional Benefits
Cooking food at a high temperature breaks down the nutritional composition that’s vital for seniors to prevent malnutrition. For this reason, eating a cup of fried okra provides far less nutrition than a cup of fresh veggies. To maximize his or her vitamin intake, your loved one should strive to eat food in its natural state whenever possible.
5. Increased Chance of Cancer
Scientific research on how the food we eat influences our health has revealed that frying food actually generates dangerous carcinogens. This is due to the chemical breakdown of fats when using heat. Stomach, pancreas, and throat cancers are just a few types of cancer associated with greasy foods. Your loved one can reduce the risk of these cancers by opting to eat low-fat meals instead.
Trained caregivers can encourage healthy eating habits and help seniors avoid foods that can be harmful. In Rocklin, home care providers can benefit aging adults in a variety of ways. From cooking nutritious meals to offering timely medication reminders, the dedicated caregivers at Home Care Assistance are available to help your elderly loved one 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. If you need professional care for your loved one, reach out to one of our Care Managers today at (916) 226-3737.