Breakfast is important for seniors, but it’s even more important for that breakfast to have plenty of protein. Preparing and eating any breakfast might be tougher for seniors to do at this stage of life, however, and that’s where senior home care providers can be a huge help. These ideas for protein-packed breakfasts can make meal planning easier.
Why Is Protein Important for Seniors?
Seniors often start to lose muscle mass as they age, so protein helps them to maintain the muscle tone that they have. If they’re exercising, eating enough protein can help them to rebuild some of the muscle they’ve lost. Eating plenty of protein can also boost energy levels for seniors. It helps to stabilize blood sugar levels and helps seniors feel full longer, helping them avoid less healthy meal and snack choices later in the day.
Breakfast Ideas
So what can seniors eat for breakfast that is full of protein? Foods like Greek yogurt and eggs are rich in protein. Yogurt can be a base for a smoothie or a topping for cereal. Either way, eating yogurt with berries offers a balanced start to the day. Eggs are high in protein and filling. Seniors can pair them with veggies for an omelet. Another high-protein option is oatmeal. This is something that seniors can eat sweet with honey and fruit. Oatmeal can go savory, too, with other spices like garlic powder and herbs.
Meal Planning and Preparation
Planning ahead for higher protein breakfasts is part of the key to success. Home care providers can work with seniors to determine what they enjoy eating for breakfast and how to turn that into a high-protein version. Once there’s a plan, it can be a lot easier to make it happen.
Shopping for Groceries
If it’s difficult for seniors to get out to the store to shop for groceries, this is another area where elder care providers can help. They can assist with things like grocery delivery or do the shopping for aging adults. Storing the food correctly once it arrives ensures that the food is ready to go when it comes time to cook.
Cooking and Meal Prepping
Meal prepping is a great way for seniors to have less trouble eating breakfast in the morning. This involves cooking one or two dishes that are high in protein and then packaging them up in single-serving containers. Then it’s just a matter of grabbing a container and heating it up or eating it as-is. Senior home care providers can do the prepping for aging adults, too, making this even easier.
Addressing Dietary Needs
If seniors have other dietary needs to consider, like avoiding dairy or lowering the sugar or salt content in what they eat, it’s important to keep that in mind, too. Bumping up the protein doesn’t have to mean that seniors don’t get all of their needs met.
It’s important to keep this simple and focus on making the meals taste good. Senior home care providers can be really helpful when it comes to bumping up the protein in breakfast, and other meals, for aging adults.
If you or an aging loved one is considering senior home care in Eden Prairie, MN and the surrounding areas, please contact the friendly staff at CareBuilders at Home Minnesota. Call today 612-260-2273.
