Home Care in Woodbury MN
Many people have a sweet tooth, and this is often particularly true for seniors who may be dealing with reduced sense of taste. When this happens, the senior may reach for foods that are sweeter so that they are able to taste them more easily. This, however, can result in consuming excess calories, tooth decay, and increased risk for health complications such as diabetes. Finding ways to indulge your parent’s sweet tooth that do not rely on processed sugar can help keep them healthier while still letting them enjoy treats with you and their home care provider.
Try some of these healthy ways to indulge your parent’s sweet tooth:
• Frozen grapes. Sometimes a sweet tooth is not just the sweet taste. A crunchy texture adds to the satisfaction factor of a treat. Freezing grapes makes them a cooling, satisfying treat that has few calories and even a bit of fiber.
• Trail mix. Rather than just reaching for any dried fruit, bump up the nutrition by choosing a trail mix made with sugar-free dehydrated fruit and nuts. Dried fruits generally have less fiber than their fresh counterparts and do not have much volume. Adding the nuts bumps up the fiber and adds protein and volume that make the sweet treat more filling.
• Vanilla Greek yogurt popsicles. A popsicle is a favorite summertime treat, but classic versions are packed with sugar. Instead, use a popsicle mold to make homemade versions using fresh fruit juice or nectar and vanilla Greek yogurt. The combination tastes indulgent but is highly nutritious. Because these frozen treats are generally eaten slowly, they give a longer period of sweet flavor with fewer calories and fat.
• Homemade fruit leather. Fruit leather is a fantastic treat for your parent to make with their in home health care services provider. This candy-like snack packs the vitamins and much of the fiber of fruit with a texture that is fun to enjoy.
What You Will Need
- 1 and 1/4 pounds of chopped fruit
- 1 to 2 tablespoons of freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 3/4 of a cup of monk fruit sweetener
- A blender
- A medium saucepan
- A stirring spoon
- A 12 by 7 inch baking sheet
- A silicone mat or nonstick foil
- A spatula
- A cooling rack
- Wax paper
- Kitchen shears
- A sharp knife
- A cutting board
- Zip lock bags
What to Do
- Preheat the oven to 200 degrees F
- Cut the fruit and peel it using the sharp knife on the cutting board if needed
- Add the fruit to the blender
- Add the lemon juice to taste, usually 2 tablespoons for bananas or apples
- Add sweetener to taste
- Puree the fruit until completely smoothed out
- Empty the blender into a medium saucepan
- Place the saucepan over medium high heat
- Allow to come to a simmer
- Reduce the heat to medium low
- Cook about 45 minutes while stirring occasionally to begin and more often as it cooks, until it has become very thick
- Line the baking sheet with the silicone mat or the foil
- Use the spatula to remove the mixture from the saucepan and onto the baking sheet and create one thin layer
- Place the baking sheet into the oven
- Bake about 3 and a half hours or until the mixture is barely tacky
- Transfer the roll ups to the cooling rack
- Allow them to cool completely
- Peel the fruit leather off the mat to check the underside
- If it is still moist, return to the oven with that side up
- Bake for an additional 20 minutes
- Lay the leather on the wax paper, smooth side down
- Use kitchen shears to cut strips into the paper and leather
- Roll the strips up and store in zip lock bags for up to one week
If you or an aging loved one are considering home care in Woodbury, MN, and the surrounding areas, please contact the friendly staff at CareBuilders at Home Minnesota. Call today 612-260-2273.
