Our diets have an enormous impact on several different aspects of our lives. The types of foods that we choose affect more than just our physical health; they also influence our mental health and cognitive functions.
Everyone should look for fun and tasty ways to integrate beneficial brain foods into their meal plans. That said, it’s crucial for older adults.
If your parents or grandparents are beginning to age and you’d like to help them improve their mental health, we suggest adding one or more of the following brain foods for seniors to their regular meals.
Continue reading to get started.
As we age, we often begin focusing on aspects of our health that we may have ignored in our younger years, like mental health. Thankfully, there are several things that you can do to help maintain your loved one’s mental health and well-being. One of the easiest things you can do is suggest adding more healthy ingredients to their breakfasts, lunches, dinners, and desserts.
If you’d like your loved ones to eat beneficial brain foods, you can look for recipes that make use of one (or more) of the following brain foods for seniors:
Eggs are an incredibly healthy and versatile ingredient. They’re the perfect addition to breakfast dishes and work well with various lunch and dinner recipes.
Studies show that regularly eating eggs can help people of all ages maintain their mental health and improve their cognitive functions. Eggs are full of vitamins, like B and B12, that can help reduce the risk of depression and anxiety. Eating eggs can even help older adults get a better night’s sleep!
Lastly, eggs are relatively easy to cook, and older adults can prepare them in several ways, ranging from quick and easy to complex and gourmet. Their versatility makes eggs an excellent option for older adults who don’t have the time or energy to prepare complex meals.
Most people know the physical health benefits of eating fatty fish like salmon. However, few know the mental health benefits of salmon and other fatty fish varieties.
Salmon is a fantastic source of omega-3 fatty acids (DHA and EPA). Although they’re most well known for benefiting heart health, studies show that consuming omega-3 fatty acids can potentially reduce the risk of several mental health-related issues and conditions, including:
Are you looking for ways to add superfoods to your loved ones’ diets? Why not mix up a fresh, healthy salad with leafy greens?
Fresh leafy greens are a fantastic source of folate, which helps reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s and dementia. Many leafy greens, like arugula, kale, and spinach, feature a variety of beneficial B vitamins and nutrients that can help older adults manage stress levels.
Most leafy greens are surprisingly easy to grow; many are ready to harvest after around 30 days. If your loved one lives in a retirement community with a volunteer gardening program, you can purchase leafy green seeds for them to plant. Involvement in growing their food provides older ones with an enjoyable hobby as a bonus!
With all of this in mind, it’s easy to see why leafy greens are among the most popular brain foods for seniors.
Even though avocados are usually considered a tasty addition to Mexican-inspired dishes or morning toast, this delicious fruit is also quite beneficial for your brain and is a healthy food option for seniors.
Firstly, avocados are full of carotenoids, which are known to help reduce the risk of oxidative damage to the brain. Like many other brain foods for seniors, avocados have monounsaturated fats that increase blood flow. Combining carotenoids and monounsaturated fats can help prevent plaque buildup around the brain.
So, if your loved one enjoys a slice of avocado on their toast in the morning, they’ll be happy to learn that their favourite breakfast treat can also help them improve their brain health and cognitive functions.
If your loved one has a sweet tooth, they’ll be happy to hear that eating certain treats, like dark chocolate, can help them maintain their brain health and overall mental well-being.
Dark chocolate contains nutrients that can help increase blood flow to our brains. Small amounts of dark chocolate can also improve older adults’ memory capabilities and reduce the severity of several aging-related risks. Dark chocolate is also known to help relieve physical ailments like joint pain.
Whether your loved one prefers dark chocolate in flavoured desserts or by itself, it’s the perfect treat to wrap up a brain health-focused meal.
As mentioned earlier, there are many things that older adults can do to boost their brain health. Eating beneficial brain food can help, but it’s just the start.
If your loved one is looking for ways to improve their brain health, we suggest making use of the following tips:
Using the tips above and preparing meals with the most beneficial foods for seniors is the best strategy for helping your loved ones maintain their brain health.
If you don’t have the time to prepare your loved ones’ meals personally, or they are no longer able to cook for themselves, it may be time to think about transitioning into a retirement community, like one of our Seasons Retirement locations.
At Seasons Retirement, our staff knows the importance of a healthy, well-balanced diet. Most of our locations serve two to three meals daily, with multiple choices at each mealtime. Best of all, you’re always welcome to join your loved one for a delicious, freshly cooked meal.
Contact us today to learn more about our healthy meal choices for residents.
