Did you know that the number 1 risk factor for heart disease is age? Combined with unhealthy lifestyle choices and a poor diet, this can put you at even greater risk. If you are worried about your aging parents’ health, now is the time to introduce a heart-healthy diet to their daily meals. We share with you more about how you can achieve this!
Cut Down on These Foods
Many of us find ourselves turning to a certain type of food over and over again simply because it’s convenient or we like the taste of it. However, this can have negative effects on our health in the long run. For a heart-healthy diet, make it a point to cut down on the following:
- Saturated fats
- White bread and white rice
- Sugary cereals
- Processed meats and cheeses
- Red meat
- Dairy products with a high-fat content
- Trans fats
Of course, that’s not to say that you can never have a treat every now and then. The important thing is to keep track of how often you are treating yourself and moderating the frequency.
Add These Foods to Your Daily Meals
While cutting down on the abovementioned foods, let’s take a look at what you should be adding to your diet in place of these. Below is a list:
- Wholegrain bread and brown rice
- Fruits and vegetables of every color
- Low-fat dairy products
- Proteins from heart-healthy sources that include fish and poultry
- Dark chocolate
- … and more!
Make Your Meals Tasty
There’s no reason that you have to keep a bland or boring diet just because you are going heart-healthy! There are many ways to spice up your meals, quite literally. Consider the below suggestions for your next meal:
- Adding sweet spices to your fruits instead of sugar
- Marinating vegetables with olive oil or herbs for enhanced flavor
- Adding fruit to a vegetable dish to sweeten it up
- Topping proteins with seasonings such as lemon juice or parsley
- Using spices to season dishes instead of salt
- … and more!
Depending on your aging parents’ individual tastes and preferences, you can find many creative ways to make food more appetizing for them!
What Else Can Be Done to Promote Heart Health?
Besides eating a nutritionally balanced diet, you may be wondering if there’s anything else you can do to improve heart health. Getting regular exercise and good sleep are two factors that will contribute to overall health. Moreover, if your aging parent smokes or drinks excessively, now’s the time to quit or at least cut down significantly.
Our Retirement Community Is Your Top Choice for Senior Living
When you make the move to our retirement community, one of our lifestyle programs you can benefit from is our catered dining program. We see to it that each meal is nutritionally balanced and tempting to the palette, helping our residents stay in tiptop health condition for longer in their golden years!
