In the springtime, our bodies crave fresh fruits and veggies. As the weather begins to turn colder, we can enjoy a heartier banquet of fall-harvested fruits and healthy fats. Here are important cornerstones to senior nutrition in the fall months.
Fall Favorites in Senior Nutrition
It is tempting during this time of year to over-indulge in comfort foods that contain heavy carbohydrates and starches. We often slow down during these colder months as well and are not moving as much. If we remember our nutritional foundation, it’s easy to stay healthy, yet indulge in some seasonal favorites.
The USDA offers an easy tool, called MyPlate to understand the nutritional impact of foods as well as create a healthy, balanced diet. This is the best place to start when thinking about your diet. The key with MyPlate is to fill half of a plate with fruits and vegetables and the other half with whole grains and lean protein.
The fall season offers the opportunity to fill your plate with a vibrant mix of fall fruits, like apples and pears, as well as fall veggies, like root veggies and squash. The fall cornucopia provides additional fiber that helps keep you full longer. It also keeps your digestive tract healthy and provides important vitamins to your body.
Here is a full list of fall-harvested fruits and veggies. Focus on eating foods from this list when you make nutritional decisions during the fall. This will help guide you towards a healthier and more colorful plate. Also, you’ll be able to indulge in sweeter treats and the heartier breads, sauces, and meats that come along with the fall season.
Another key to staying healthy during the colder months, yet taking the the opportunity to indulge in fall food favorites, is to keep moving. Exercise will help to burn the extra calories you consume and keep your weight in check. Exercise doesn’t have to be complicated to be effective.
How to plan senior nutrition when produce is out of season
It becomes increasingly challenging to maintain a healthy diet as fall continues and the produce supply dwindles. Not to mention that supermarket produce prices skyrocket. Now is the time to check out your grocery store’s frozen vegetable and fruit selections.
Nothing compares to fresh fruits and vegetables when it comes to taste and health benefits. With today’s technologically advanced freezing methods, frozen produce can come in close second. Frozen veggies and fruits are usually flash frozen at the peak ripeness and tend to retain many of their health benefits like vitamins, minerals, and fiber. Check out your local freezer section for some dietary staples like beans, carrots, and corn.
Senior LIFE Can Help with Senior Nutrition
At Senior LIFE, we realize the importance of nutrition, especially for seniors. We focus on the special nutritional needs of our members. We have a professional, licensed dietitian on staff who works with each of our members to create a meal plan that’s right for their specific needs and nutritional goals.
Members of Senior LIFE also receive many other nutritional benefits including a hot meal served daily at the LIFE Health and Wellness Center, home-delivered meals, and meal preparation. We are also well equipped to handle special nutritional needs such as diabetes.
To see if Senior LIFE can help you or a loved one, or to learn more about the nutritional services and countless other services offered by Senior LIFE, contact us today.
