Home Health Dallas enables seniors to live happy, healthy, and independent lives in their own homes.

Many seniors do not have a healthy diet. This can be the cause of, or lead to, health issues. It is important for seniors to have healthy eating habits and include nutritious foods in their daily diets. The list below contains some useful tips for seniors on how they can create a healthy diet that has many benefits.

1. Variety is the spice of life! Just because seniors do not require as many calories as younger adults, this does not mean they cannot mix up their daily diets. Having a variety of foods in a diet is a great way to get the proper nutrition while enjoying what is being eaten.

2. Fruits and vegetables are essential. It doesn’t matter if they are fresh, frozen or canned, but having daily servings of fruits and vegetables will provide the body with essential nutrients. Dark green and orange vegetables should be included in a diet.

3. Seniors require protein, so make sure a diet contains some beans, fish or peas.

4. Whole-grain products are very beneficial. Try to switch from white bread to whole-grain bread. Cereal, rice and pasta are also available in whole-grain.

5. When eating dairy, make sure it is low-fat. Seniors should keep an eye on their fat intake, so low-fat milk, yogurt and cheese should be incorporated into the diet. Make sure the products are fortified with Vitamin D as well.

6. When consuming foods with fat, try to choose foods that contain healthy fats. These include monosaturated and polysaturated fats.

Source: eatright.org

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Home Health Senior Care Dallas - Your elderly loved one prefers to live at home and our CAREGivers are trained to help them remain safe and healthy at home. Call us at 972-239-3934.

High blood pressure is a common ailment, but it can be very serious. It often leads to other health problems. Lowering blood pressure is one way to reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke. Many seniors are now trying to lower their blood pressure by making simple changes at home.

Home Health Care Dallas wants to remind all seniors that they should consult their doctor before making any  drastic changes to their diet and exercise. The following tips however are a good starting place for anyone looking to lower blood pressure.

1. Reduce sodium intake. Daily intake for seniors or anyone over 50 should be less than 2,300 mg per day. Take the saltshaker off the table and try to eat foods that are low in sodium.

2. Change cooking habits and do not use salt. There are other ways to get great flavor when cooking. Use herbs and spices and avoid using bullion and prepared sauces. They contain high amounts of sodium. When dining out, ask for food to be prepared without salt or request a low sodium menu.

3. Check the medications you are currently taking. Many of them do contain sodium. Talk to your doctor about adding an aspirin to your daily regime. This can reduce chances of stroke and heart attack.

4. Reduce stress, add some exercise and quit smoking. All of these will lower your blood pressure. Losing a few pounds will also be beneficial.

5. If you can, monitor your blood pressure at home. If these changes do not work, you may have to ask for a prescription medication. Doctors will also suggest increasing your potassium intake.

Source: hearthealthyonline.com

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Home Health Senior Care Dallas - Your elderly loved one prefers to live at home and our CAREGivers are trained to help them remain safe and healthy at home. Call us at 972-239-3934.

Home Health Dallas wants all seniors to know that they should always talk to their doctor before starting a new exercise or diet program.

For senior citizens, being conscious of their health is extremely important. Good heart health can extend a life a great deal. Seniors looking to keep their blood cholesterol low, helping to decrease the chances of heart disease, can turn to these simple guidelines.

• Saturated Fats—To follow the Heart Healthy Diet, only 8% to 10% of a senior’s total daily calories should come from saturated fats. This percentage is based upon the percentage of calories you actually eat. In other words, the amount will vary depending on how many calories you consume.

• Fats—A senior’s total daily calories from fat should be 30% or less. Once again, this percentage is based on the percentage of calories you eat.

• Dietary Cholesterol—Seniors should keep their daily dietary cholesterol intake under 300 milligrams if they want to stick with the heart healthy diet.

• Sodium—Sodium consumption should be limited to 2400 milligrams a day.

• Eating Habits —Seniors should not deprive themselves of calories or over eat. It is important to always eat enough calories towards maintaining or achieving a healthy weight. Also, a healthy calorie intake should help reduce blood cholesterol levels.

Source: nhlbisupport.com

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Home Health Senior Care Dallas - Your elderly loved one prefers to live at home and our CAREGivers are trained to help them remain safe and healthy at home. Call us at 972-239-3934.

We encounter many seniors in our practice who try to make smart food choices, but fall flat, particularly when it comes to snacking, because they just can’t find items that are as satisfying as the ones they know aren’t doing them any favors when it comes to their health. Sunflower seeds are a snack that can be nostalgic to many seniors, since they’re items that they might associate from family events or days at the ballpark taking in a game, and they are a smart snack choice that we suggest to all of the seniors that walk through our door! They can curb hunger and cravings, since they are crunchy and satisfying, and they contain much of the recommended values for daily nutrients that seniors should receive. The can also safeguard a senior’s health since they have the following properties and benefits:

• The Vitamin E contained in sunflower seeds helps with cardiovascular health and works as an anti-inflammatory

• Phytosterols in sunflower seeds help lower cholesterol and ensure it remains under control, which is especially important as many seniors struggle with their cholesterol levels later in life

• Magnesium can help reduce stress, blood pressure, and generally works to reduce tension in the body

• Selenium helps prevent cancer and works as a natural detoxifier

Via: WHFoods

Home Health Senior Care Dallas - Your elderly loved one prefers to live at home and our CAREGivers are trained to help them remain safe and healthy at home. Call us at 972-239-3934.