As the holiday season approaches, ensuring our elderly loved ones are eating healthy, enjoyable meals becomes even more crucial. The holidays are often associated with rich, indulgent foods that don't always suit a senior's unique dietary needs.
Senior Helpers Appleton has put together a delectable selection of senior-friendly holiday recipes. These dishes are low in sugar and salt, and they are also easy to prepare. These are particularly handy during the busy holiday season and during bouts of bad weather where a trip to the grocery store might be tricky.
Recipe 1: Low-Sodium Roasted Turkey
No collection of senior-friendly holiday recipes is complete without a piece of juicy roasted turkey. Opt for a low-sodium version to make it accessible to our senior loved ones. Using an assortment of herbs like rosemary, thyme, and sage can enhance the flavor without adding extra salt.
Start with a turkey breast, olive oil, your pick of herbs, and a little bit of black pepper. Rub the turkey with oil and the seasonings, then roast it in the oven until it's golden brown and cooked through. The result is a moist and flavorful main dish that is friendly on the arteries.
Recipe 2: Sugar-Free Apple Pie
Apple pie is a staple of holiday desserts. A great addition to your senior-friendly holiday recipes is a healthier version that uses apples and cinnamon as natural sweeteners. You’ll need tart apples, ground cinnamon, a sweetener like Stevia, and a whole-wheat pie crust.
Sauté the apples in a little bit of water with cinnamon and sweetener until they're soft. Pour the mixture into the pie crust and bake until the crust is golden. This heart-warming dessert will satisfy the sweet tooth of your senior loved ones without spiking their sugar levels.
Recipe 3: Heart-Healthy Green Bean Casserole
Level up your selection of senior-friendly holiday recipes with a hearty side dish of green bean casserole. Regular versions can be high in sodium. However, you can drastically reduce salt by substituting canned soup with fresh mushrooms and onions sautéed in olive oil. Combine the sautéed vegetables with green beans, broth, and a bit of low-fat cream. Top it with a sprinkle of whole-wheat breadcrumbs, and bake until bubbly. This comforting dish is packed with fiber and low in sodium, making it a heart-healthy choice for seniors.
Recipe 4: Sugar-Free Pumpkin Pie
Pumpkin pie is a classic holiday dessert. However, it can be made senior-friendly with a few tweaks. Opt for a whole wheat crust, puréed pumpkin, eggs, a milk substitute like almond milk, and spices like cinnamon and nutmeg.
Sweeten with Stevia to keep the sugar content low. The resulting pie is creamy and flavorful, with the fragrant aroma of holiday spices. It’s the perfect sweet finish to the holiday meal. Best of all, pumpkin boasts a host of health benefits!
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These easy-to-prep, senior-friendly holiday recipes will ensure your elderly loved ones can enjoy the holiday feasts without compromising their health. Plus, they save you time and effort during the busy season and are handy to prepare ahead in inclement weather conditions.
If you need assistance in caring for your senior loved ones in the Appleton, Menasha, Neenah, Oshkosh, and surrounding Fox Cities area, contact us at Senior Helpers Appleton. We are committed to providing the highest quality of care to make the lives of seniors as comfortable and fulfilling as possible through quality in-home care.