Elderly people have many different needs, especially dietary needs.
However, this doesn’t mean that they can’t have snacks! There are many tasty snacks that are not only easy to eat but also nutritious and enjoyable. Having healthy snacks in between meals is also a great way to stabilize blood sugar levels as well as improve energy throughout the day.
However, when choosing snacks for the elderly, it is important that they are low in sugar, fat and sodium which may worsen any existing health conditions.
With that said, take a look at these 7 great snacks that most elders will greatly enjoy. Plus, most of them are easy to make in just a matter of minutes.
1. Fresh Fruit
Fruit makes an excellent snack since fruits are basically nature’s candy. You can either cut up a mango, apple, grapes, bananas etc. You can even cut and mix different fruits into a platter. However, once you have fruits that turn color easily such as apple, it is best to mix in a couple teaspoons of lemon juice to prevent it from turning brown.
Fruit makes an excellent snack because they are not only sweet and delicious but also contain a host of vitamins and minerals that will improve overall nutrition and well being. There are many fruits that are soft and easy to chew such as papaya, watermelon, mango etc.
2. Deviled Eggs
Another lovely snack that is a high protein food is deviled eggs. Instead of serving boring old boiled eggs, you can make deviled eggs which are a lot more delicious.
The great thing about this snack is that it is an extremely soft and easy to swallow food for seniors because it doesn’t require much chewing. So, its definitely a snack that most older people will enjoy, especially if they have a hard time chewing.
3. Fruit Smoothies
Many elderly people love fruits but due to being unable to chew properly, may have issues eating fruits normally. However, you can make a delicious fruit smoothie which will require absolutely no chewing and there are endless varieties of smoothies that can be made.
In order to make a smoothie, all you will need is the elder’s choice in fruits and vegetables and almond milk. For example, you can make a smoothie with banana, apple, kale and almond milk. Simply place all of the ingredients in a blender along with the almond milk and ice and blend until it is smooth.
Since the smoothie is made from fresh fruits and vegetables, this also provides lots of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants that are an extremely healthy addition.
4. Turkey Wraps
Next on our list are turkey wraps. In order to make this snack, you’ll need a couple of turkey slices along with some cheese. Place the cheese in the middle of the turkey slice and wrap the slice around it and serve.
This is a great snack because it contains a great deal of protein which is very beneficial to seniors. Many elderly people don’t get enough protein in their diet which is necessary to maintain their muscle mass which helps to improve their ability to function and move around on their own.
5. Baked Sweet Potato Chips
Most people absolutely love eating potato chips regularly as a snack. However, these potato chips are not a good option for seniors due to the high fat and sodium content. Instead, a great alternative are baked sweet potato chips.
All you’ll need are a couple of sweet potatoes which will have to be cut into strips. Then, lightly brush them with oil and sea salt and bake until fully cooked.
This is such a great snack because sweet potatoes are full of healthy fiber and vitamin C! There are 3 grams of vitamin C in only one serving of sweet potato chips, which will definitely help to strengthen their immune system.
6. Avocado Dip & Crackers
Next, another lovely snack that you can make are crackers served with avocado dip. Avocado dip is a lot healthier than other types of dips because avocados contain a great deal of healthy fats while being extremely low in carbohydrates. You can also buy it prepared in individual serving cups at most grocery stores.
7. Finger Sandwiches
Another snack option is finger sandwiches. The great thing about these type of sandwiches is that you can make many different types and offer them in a platter.
For example, you can make cheese, peanut butter, tuna, chicken, cucumber etc. You can even cut them into small bite sized pieces for those who prefer smaller sized snacks. This particular snack is also a very soft food for seniors and very easy to chew, which will surely make it a hit with most seniors.
Conclusion
We have just looked at 7 great snack options that most elderly people will absolutely love. These snack options are not only tasty but filled with good nutrition which will complement their diet.
Growing old certainly doesn’t have to be tasteless, so be sure to provide some of these scrumptious snacks for the seniors in your life.
