September is National Whole Grain Month, and it’s a great time for your mom or dad to try a whole grain that they haven’t tried before. Seniors should eat whole grains instead of processed grains because whole grains have a lot of health benefits.
One of the reasons why doctors and nutritionists recommend whole grains for seniors is that whole grains have slow-burning carbs that can help seniors maintain a balanced blood sugar level. For seniors with diabetes or pre-diabetes eating whole grains instead of processed grains may help decrease blood sugar spikes.
If your senior mom or dad doesn’t eat as healthy as they should, and you can’t be there to cook for them every day, senior home care can help. A senior home care provider can cook healthy meals for your mom or dad, shop for healthy ingredients, and eat with them to encourage them to eat regularly.
If your mom or dad is a “meat and potatoes” eater and hasn’t tried a lot of healthy whole grains, some of the healthiest whole grains for them to try are:
Quinoa
Quinoa has a delicious, nutty taste. When cooked, it’s very soft, so it’s easy for seniors to eat even if they have dental problems. Quinoa is easy to cook, too; it needs to be boiled in water like rice.
Quinoa also has some big health benefits for seniors. It’s very high in protein, which is something that seniors often aren’t getting enough of. It also has a lot of fiber and essential amino acids. Quinoa is a great source of magnesium, iron, and B-vitamins too.
Quinoa can be eaten with a protein as a side dish, or it can be used as a base in a grain bowl. It’s also a delicious way for senior home care to add some protein to a salad if your senior mom or dad doesn’t want chicken or meat in their salad.
Oats
Your senior parent is probably already familiar with oats, but only the quick-cook oats. Those oats are fine, but slow-cooked whole-grain oats are healthier. And some people think they’re tastier too.
Whole-grain oats are an excellent source of soluble fiber, which can help lower cholesterol levels. They’re also packed with vitamins and minerals like manganese, phosphorus, and magnesium.
A fantastic way to make whole-grain oats is to put them in a slow cooker with milk, cinnamon, and apples and let them cook overnight. You and senior home care providers can also prepare oats for your senior parents by putting oaks in milk with fruit and leaving them in the fridge overnight.
Brown Rice
For a lot of people, rice is a staple in their diet, but switching from white rice to brown rice is a good way to get more nutrients from this familiar grain.
Brown rice is a good source of B vitamins, fiber, antioxidants, and essential minerals like magnesium and selenium. It’s also easy to cook, and senior home care can help. Quick-cook brown rice is available, and if your mom or dad can’t safely handle cooking in a pot, microwaveable brown rice is available in stores, too.
Barley
Your mom or dad may have eaten barley as a breakfast when they were young. A long time ago it was a popular breakfast food because it was plentiful and cheap. But barley is also really healthy.
Barley is high in fiber, including beta-glucan, which can help lower cholesterol. It also contains vitamins and minerals like selenium, magnesium, and phosphorus.
Your mom or dad may like barley for breakfast, or they can eat barley soup or add it to salads for added texture.
Farro
Farro is a combination of three different types of wheat kernels. It’s sold in dried form. To cook farro, you need to boil it in water until it’s tender, like rice. Farro has a soft texture, so it’s easy to eat. The combination of the different types of wheat gives it a nutty and rich flavor.
Farrow is a great side dish, especially for fall foods, and it is high in protein and fiber. It also contains essential nutrients like magnesium, zinc, and B-vitamins. Senior home care can add farrow to soups, stews, and salads.
Providing exceptional Senior Home Care in Alexandria for seniors and families in the Northern Virginia area, including Arlington, Alexandria, McLean, Reston, Burke, Ashburn, Centreville, Springfield, Manassas, and Oakton. Call today to speak with our caring staff: (703) 272-8838.
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