Make sure your dependent senior eats well. Oftentimes it is difficult to get all the nutritional requirements necessary. Check with their doctor to see if supplements are necessary. To maximize their daily well-being, they need enough:
Iron
Spinach, sweet potatoes, asparagus, tomatoes, beets, kale, cereals, pork, red meat, poultry, fish, beans and eggs
Magnesium
Almonds, spinach, whole grains, cashews, peanuts, fortified breakfast cereals, black beans, peanut butter, avocado, dark chocolate, brown rice, plain yogurt, banana, kidney beans, salmon, chicken, broccoli, apples, tofu.
Zinc
Cashews, chickpeas, yogurt, milk products, dark chocolate, pumpkin seeds, whole grains, seafood, poultry, eggs, beans and peas, oysters, red meat.
Selenium
Eggs, brown rice, mushrooms, grain products, dairy products, nuts, seeds, seafood, read meat, poultry, spinach
Manganese
Brown rice, wheat, barley, rye, quinoa, oats, garlic
Iodine
Seafood, grains, eggs, red meat, poultry, fruits, vegetables, dairy products, lima beans
Calcium
Greek yogurt, cheese, cottage cheese, leafy greens, almonds, oranges, salmon
Vitamin D
Whole grains, red meat, seafood, poultry, dairy products, fortified cereals, spinach, oranges
Vitamin E
Nuts, seeds, avocado, cereals, spinach, asparagus, broccoli, lettuce (not iceburg), onions
Vitamin K
Eggs, read meat, tuna, kiwi, avocado, rhubarb, kale, broccoli, spinach, asparagus
Protein
Protein intake is very important to prevent muscle loss
Poultry, seafood, pork, eggs, kidney/chickpeas, peanut butter, veggie burgers, tofu
Fibre
Oatmeal, fruits, vegetables, beans, whole grains
Water
Eight 8 ounce glasses a day (no drinking within 3 hours of bedtime)
Foods to avoid
Processed food
If you cannot pronounce what is on the label, you should not eat it.
If in a facility that prepares meals, ensuring nutrition can be even more difficult. Speak with the Director of Care to get all the nutritional facts.
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