Sometimes, just getting something on the plate and watching your loved one eat is good enough. And there are times when fast food or a frozen pizza will do for the night, especially when you or your elderly loved one are feeling especially exhausted. But regular consumption of fast food and overly processed foods is bad for your loved one’s health and should be the exception and not the norm.
The Unhealthiness of Processed Meals
Processed meals like those produced in mass quantity at fast food restaurants and those packaged up and sold in grocery stores as one-step reheat meals (usually frozen, but can also be canned or boxed occasionally), don’t only prevent the body from getting nutrients it needs to stay healthy, many of them can do the body harm.
Processed Foods Health Risks for Seniors
- They reduce the ability of your loved one to consume enough nutritional foods. When your loved one is filled up with poor-quality food, she won’t have the appetite to eat foods that are good for her. An apple which may taste delicious when your loved one is hungry, will not taste as food when she’s full from eating a handful of cookies. Those cookies stopped her from getting the healthy nutrients of the apple.
- They have unhealthy levels of ingredients that should be consumed in moderation. Many processed foods are overly packed with sodium, sugar, and fat, all of which can lead to other health problems like obesity, diabetes, or high blood pressure.
- They are easy to overindulge in. Many people are shocked when they read that the serving size of a sweet treat is much smaller than what they normally eat. For example, a serving size of ice cream is ½ cup but most people eat 1-2 cups at a time.
- The body processed them too quickly. The body uses less energy to digest processed foods than it does raw food, making the person who ate them feel hungry more quickly than they would with unprocessed food and easily leading to overeating.
- Eating too many overprocessed foods increases cancer risk. When overprocessed foods are consumed constantly, they can raise the risk of cancer.
- They’re more likely to have artificial ingredients. Many of those artificial colors, flavors, and odors have never been tested for safety if consumed in large quantities.
Breaking the Processed Food Habit
Whether your loved one eats too many processed foods because she’s not comfortable preparing whole foods, she enjoys the flavors of processed food, or she feels whole foods are too expensive, you can help her reduce how many processed foods she eats. You might find that having a personal care at home provider help with meals is a great way to help her have healthier meals (you can deal with snacks later). The personal care at home provider will listen to your recommendations for what should be served at each meal and help your loved one create healthier meals. From shopping to storing to preparing, a personal care at home provider can ensure that your loved one will start incorporating more healthy foods into her diet.
Starting with just one aspect of your loved one’s regular diet is a great beginning step to healthy eating and an improved quality of life.
The staff at Home Care Matters is available to talk with you and your family about all of your needs. Home Care Matters is a home care agency providing quality and affordable personal care at home in Johns Creek, GA, and the surrounding areas. Call (770) 965-4004 for more information.
We provide elder care in Braselton, Buford, Dacula, Duluth, Flowery Branch, Gainesville, Johns Creek, Lawrenceville, Oakwood, Sugar Hill, Suwanee, Barrow County, Forsyth County, Gwinnett County, Hall County, Jackson County, North Fulton County.
Valerie has the unique experience with home care as she has experienced it from both ends of the spectrum, as a caregiver and as needing care herself as a cancer survivor. Valerie says, “Taking care of someone you love is a physically, mentally and demanding labor of love.Taking care of my mom was the hardest thing I have ever done. It has given me an insight and perspective not many people understand unless you are doing it or have done it.I loved taking care of my mom.I love helping others take care of their love ones too.And now that I’ve been sick, it’s given me a whole new level of empathy and understanding for those who are sick and need help.”
Valerie’s schedule varies daily, but she loves visiting with our clients, families, caregivers, our network partners and being in the office.Says Valerie, “Every day is different, but I wake up excited about what we do, inspired by our team, clients and caregivers.I strive to be a resource to the community.I love my team and I love what we do every day. I like to think my mom would be proud.”
You can reach Valerie by email (Valerie@homecarematters.com) or in our office (770.965.4004).
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