7 Nutritious Assisted Living Menu Ideas for Seniors in Three Rivers, MI
The foundation for health and wellbeing is undoubtedly eating well. One look at our assisted living menu ideas will convince you of our philosophy in that regard.
When it comes to giving our bodies everything they need, nutritious and well-balanced meals constitute a large portion of what's necessary, so it's important to get it right.
Achieving optimal health requires several different aspects to be met, but none are as important as nutrition. Our species has lived in a state of near-perpetual privation for most of history, and getting enough calories to survive was a serious problem. These days, calories are abundant and the trick to healthy eating for seniors rests instead with knowing what not to eat.
Read on to discover some of our (and our residents!) favorite meals and menu ideas.
1. Grilled Salmon and Steamed Vegetables
A steak of grilled salmon is among the heartiest and healthiest food options available anywhere and has a great taste to match. Rich in omega-3 fatty acids, protein, and B vitamins, salmon is a versatile choice for anyone seeking to improve their diet.
The grilling method is important, too, especially for those of us counting calories. Rather than frying the fish in butter or oil, the grill cooks the meat without the need for the extra calories that more conventional methods rely upon.
Steaming vegetables is also a preferable method to frying them for similar reasons, with the additional benefit of retaining much more of their natural goodness. If you've ever had steamed vegetables, we're sure you'll agree, you can taste the difference!
2. Greek Yogurt With Berries and Nuts
We're a great fan of Greek yogurt and our menu often reflects our enthusiasm for it. In a world of endless dessert choices, we find that the simple option usually can't be beaten. Thick Greek yogurt topped with a selection of nuts and berries not only looks divine, but its macronutrient profile is heavenly, too.
While Greek Yogurt is full of fat, it's also incredibly low-carb, making it an ideal option for a filling dessert. Its richly thick and creamy consistency pairs perfectly with practically any fruit, but we find it goes particularly well with blueberries and crushed walnuts. However, if our residents are partial to a particular fruit, there's no reason some substitutions (or additions!) can't be made.
3. Vegetable Frittata
The Italian frittata is always a firm favorite. Egg-based dishes are healthy and filling, but there's something special about the frittata that always has us coming back for more. The eggs and vegetables are cooked together in a pan where they set and form a sort of pleasingly round omelet.
Unlike omelets, however, the frittata can be portioned out in slices, making portion control a cinch. The addition of spinach, tomatoes, and mushrooms increases fiber and antioxidants, which is ideal for our health-conscious seniors. The inclusion of a side salad complete with light vinaigrette is welcomed here too, complementing the dish as a whole and leaving our diners truly satisfied.
4. Baked Chicken With Sweet Potatoes and Green Beans
Chicken is an ideal source of lean protein, especially when baked, and is a great ingredient in many of our easy senior recipes. It's the main ingredient for many comfort foods and is delicious in all its many forms. While we do occasionally forgo the healthiest option for some deep-fried wings, baked chicken is always well received.
To complement the chicken we include sweet potatoes to support eye health and immune function. The fetching color of sweet potatoes is due to an abundance of beta-carotene, which our bodies convert to vitamin A while satisfying our sweet tooth in the process.
Green beans are high in nutrients and low in calories, making them the perfect side to round out a healthy meal. Rich in folate, fiber, and vitamins K and C, they're the ideal choice for residents looking to fill up without filling out. These three ingredients together make a trifecta that has to be tasted to be believed.
5. Lentil Soup With Whole-Grain Bread
The humble lentil is just about as versatile as any ingredient available to us, the addition of which never fails to enhance the dining experience. Using them as a main dish in the form of a hearty soup alongside a variety of stocks and meats provides a meal you simply can't go wrong with.
Lentils are high in plant-based protein and fiber, both of which are crucial for digestive health. They're also rich in iron, which helps to prevent anemia.
Lentils do a wonderful job of thickening soups, which brings us to the importance of whole-grain bread. As far as culinary delights go, dipping bread slathered in butter into a thick soup is a true delight.
6. Beef and Vegetable Stir-Fry
Stir-frying a mix of our favorite vegetables seems simple, but simple doesn't mean boring or tasteless. The health benefits of vegetables are impossible to deny, especially when green onions, shallots, garlic, and ginger form the base.
The beef adds a certain umami flavor to the veg that can't be replicated, and as a whole, this meal is something worth looking forward to despite its apparent simplicity. Sometimes a simple option now and then is exactly what's called for to provide a balanced diet for elderly folks.
7. Turkey and Avocado Wrap
Turkey is a low-fat protein meat, meaning we can lay it on thick and there's no need for anyone to feel guilty about portion size.
Avocado is a gem in many respects, but it stands out alongside turkey as the perfect bedfellow in terms of heart-healthy combinations. Few foods are such a good source of monounsaturated fats, so we tend to include avocados wherever possible, much to the enjoyment of our residents.
Assisted Living Menu Ideas
These are just some of our favorite assisted living menu ideas, and there's a lot more where these came from. At LakeHouse Three Rivers, we're always open to the thoughts and preferences of our residents when it comes to designing the perfect menu. Some of these senior meal plans came directly from them, so we've got a lot to thank them for!
If you've got any questions regarding our approach to senior nutrition or have any senior nutrition tips of your own, be sure to let us know! We'd love to hear from you.