Whether you’re a senior cooking for yourself or a caregiver cooking for a loved one, it can be difficult to find a balance between meals that are both tasty and healthy for seniors.

Tuna Salad

Tuna salad is an extremely versatile and healthy food that can be enjoyed by itself, in a sandwich with fiber-rich whole grain bread, or in a lettuce wrap. Adding greens like chopped pickles or celery or switching out the mayo for some flavorful hummus can make the meal even healthier. You can also prepare the salad beforehand and keep it in the fridge for several days. It’s a low-cost, low-effort meal that’s perfect for a quick lunch.

Smoothies

Eating a healthy breakfast helps you start off the day on a good note, but sometimes, cooking a whole meal so early can be demanding, especially for older adults or caregivers with busy schedules. A smoothie consisting of frozen fruit and low-fat yogurt can be prepared the night before and kept in the fridge until the morning.

Soup

There are few things more delicious than a hot bowl of soup, especially during the cold winter months. Vegetable soups in particular are hearty, healthy, and filling. While the initial preparation may involve some slicing and chopping, this can be made easier with pre-chopped veggies from the store. Soup also stores well, meaning you’ll have a week’s worth of lunches or dinners all set.

Baked Potatoes

A baked potato or sweet potato cooked in the microwave works well as a side dish or light dinner. It’s easy to make and very filling, so it’s a great choice if you need to get something in your body but don’t have the time or energy to cook a large meal. Baked potatoes pair well with steamed veggies like carrots or broccoli, and you can also pour a can of chunky soup over it for some more flavor.

Easy Protein

A hard boiled egg, cottage cheese, Greek yogurt, peanut, almond or cashew butter, almond butter, bean dip & hummus are quick and easy foods that add protein without much effort. Add protein choice to a piece of fiber-rich toast or pair with a piece of fresh fruit for increased flavor & nutrition!

Hydration is Essential

Drinking water is foundational to lasting health. Add a slice lemon, lime, orange or other fresh fruit to make water more interesting? Eating foods like watermelon, cantelope and kiwi can also help hydrate.

Healthy Meal Inspiration is Available!

Consider checking out a cookbook from the library, suggest a cookbook as a gift idea, clip a recipe from the newspaper or a magazine, go online to allrecipes.com or ask a family member for ideas. You deserve to eat well and enjoy mealtime!