The importance of eating a balanced diet is something that most of us have likely heard many times throughout our lifetimes. A balanced diet makes it easier to obtain all the nutrients our bodies require to function. Green leafy vegetables are a crucial element that shouldn’t be overlooked because they have a greater effect than they might first appear to. Common leafy greens include spinach, broccoli, cabbage, kale, and even microgreens.
Out of all the green leafy veggies available, spinach is easily available all year round. There are many advantages to eating spinach, particularly for senior family members. Whether at home or in an independent living, it is crucial to have a balanced diet including greens. Here are just a few ways that spinach can enhance the general health and nourishment of your senior.
Better Vision
People who want healthier eyes are frequently advised to consume lutein, and spinach has a lot of lutein to give. Zeaxanthin, another substance found in spinach that promotes ocular health, is also abundant in this vegetable. Your senior loved one may benefit from spinach’s antioxidants by avoiding cataracts and other vision conditions.
Improved Mental Health
Lutein benefits more than just the eyes. Additionally, it has been demonstrated to support cognitive health, which is crucial if a senior member of your family is concerned about memory loss and cognitive decline. Increased consumption of spinach and other foods rich in lutein can help brain function last longer.
Reduced Blood Pressure
The high nutritional worth of spinach, which includes potassium, makes it excellent for heart health. That comprises assisting in lowering blood pressure. You can credit spinach’s potassium for this benefit. Other minerals, such as nitrates and quercetin, that support cardiac health are also abundant in spinach.
Improved Oxygen Levels
Red meat may come to mind when considering foods rich in iron, but spinach is also a good source of the mineral. This is crucial for maintaining healthy lungs and elevating your senior’s blood oxygen levels. This is due to the fact that iron is necessary for the formation of hemoglobin, which transports oxygen throughout the body.
Better Bone and Skin Health
Your senior probably places a high value on having healthier skin and bones. Spinach is a great source of both vitamins A and K, which are essential for the health of your bones and epidermis. Another nutrient necessary for strong bones and epidermis is vitamin D, which must be processed and used by the body. In specific, vitamin A aids in keeping skin hydrated and is great for eye health.
It’s not surprising to see retirement communities offering a variety of greens in their dining options. You can adopt the same at home too!
Ways to Include Spinach in Senior Diet
Enjoy all the incredible health benefits of spinach with these simple ways to eat more spinach!
- Put it in eggs
- Blend it in shakes
- Swap your salad greens
- Stir into soups, stews and stir-frys
- Pile it on pizza
- Puree it into pesto
- Stack on sandwiches
- Sauté it as a side
The greatest thing about spinach is that it can be consumed in a variety of ways if your senior loves eating it. One can routinely consume a lot of spinach by adding it to salads, cooking with it, and blending it into smoothies or in many other ways discussed here.
