Is your senior parent eating enough fiber? Most seniors aren’t. And not getting enough fiber can actually hurt your mom or dad’s health. Seniors need fiber to help them regulate their digestion, stabilize blood sugar, and lower the risk of heart disease.
One of the most common reasons why seniors don’t get enough fiber is that they have trouble shopping for healthy foods and cooking healthy meals. If your mom or dad struggles to heat up food or live on snacks, they are probably not getting enough fiber.
In-home care services can help. An in-home care provider can help your mom or dad plan meals and snacks, shop for food, and prepare meals. When your mom or dad has the support of an in-home care provider they are much more likely to be eating regular balanced meals and healthy snacks.
Fiber-filled snacks can help your mom or dad stay full between meals and boost their fiber intake to improve their health.
Some of the best high-fiber snacks that are easy for seniors to eat are:
Fresh Fruits with Skin
Fruits like apples, pears, and berries are excellent sources of fiber, especially when eaten with their skins. A medium apple contains about 4 grams of fiber, while a cup of raspberries provides around 8 grams.
These fruits are easy to eat on their own, can be cut into bite-sized pieces, or blended into a smoothie for a softer option. If your mom or dad finds it difficult to bite or chew you, they can have snacks like applesauce, pureed pears, or berries cut into small pieces.
Vegetable Sticks with Hummus
Raw vegetables such as carrot sticks, celery, cucumber slices, and bell pepper strips are fiber-packed and easy to prepare. Pairing them with hummus not only enhances the flavor but also adds an extra dose of fiber. Hummus, made from chickpeas, provides about 3 grams of fiber per 2-tablespoon serving.
To make senior-friendly snacks, buy pre-washed and cut veggies from the supermarket so that your mom or dad can just open the container and eat the vegetables without having to wash, peel, or cut them.
Popcorn
Popcorn is a surprisingly high-fiber snack that’s also low in calories, making it a great choice for seniors. Air-popped popcorn contains about 4 grams of fiber per 3-cup serving. It’s easy to prepare and can be seasoned with a pinch of salt or herbs for added flavor without unhealthy additives like butter.
If your mom or dad has in-home care, their care provider can make a batch of popcorn and portion it into containers so your mom or dad doesn’t eat too much.
Whole-Grain Crackers with Cheese or Peanut Butter
Whole-grain crackers are an easy-to-eat snack that provides a good dose of fiber. Pairing them with cheese or peanut butter adds protein and makes the snack more filling. Look for crackers with at least 3 grams of fiber per serving. Peanut butter also contributes about 2 grams of fiber per tablespoon.
Dried Fruit
Dried fruits like prunes, apricots, and figs are portable, sweet, and loaded with fiber. A small handful of prunes contains about 3 grams of fiber, while dried figs can have up to 5 grams. These snacks are easy for seniors to chew and are also helpful for preventing constipation.
If you or an aging loved one are considering In-Home Care in Cudahy, WI, please contact the caring staff at Talem Home Care & Placement Services today. Call (414) 206-2090
At Talem Home Care of Milwaukee, we provide passionate, understanding, and flexible caregivers in Brookfield, Cudahy, Delafield, Franklin, Greendale, Greenfield, Hales Corners, Milwaukee, Mukwonago, Muskego, New Berlin, Oak Creek, Oconomowoc, Pewaukee, Shorewood, South Milwaukee, Waukesha, Wauwatosa, West Allis and surrounding areas in Wisconsin.
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