Good nutrition is key to healthy aging.However, manyolder adultslive with a variety of conditions—includingdementia, arthritis or tremors—that can impact their ability tofeed themselvesusing utensils.If a loved onehas troublewithutensils for any reason, you oftencanturn anyfoodintofinger food simplybycuttingitintosmallerpieces.
Check out these ideas for nutritious snacks and meal substitutes that can be eaten without utensils.Some seniors may prefer eating several small meals or nutritious snacks throughout the day instead of three big meals, so these ideasalsowork for them.
Nutritious Handheld and Finger Foods for Older Adults
- Smoothies:Smoothies are a great way to increase fruit and vegetable consumption and prevent dehydration.Include a handful of spinach, your favorite frozen fruit,water or milk, and combine in a blender. Try serving the smoothie in a cup with handles and usea lid to prevent spills.
- Sandwiches,wrapsandtoast:Small sandwiches, wraps and toastcan be eaten with your hands. For example, trya spread oftuna, lime, cilantro and avocado on whole grain bread.
- Soup:Soupserved in a cup with handlescan help youeat more vegetables, and you can do it without a spoon. You can also try pureeing the soup in a blenderso it can be more easily sipped.
- Quesadillas:Heatrefriedbeans,your favorite vegetablesand a little cheeseon a whole grain tortilla.
- Bite-sizedfruit:Snack on some chunks of fruit like pineapple, bananas and strawberries.
- Cheesecubes:Snack on cheese cubesor cheese stickstoaddcalcium and protein.Choose low-fat cheese when possible.
- Fruit-orvegetable-basedbreadsandcookies:Let your loved one snackon some fruit-or vegetable-based breadsandcookiesfor a sweet treat that alsocounts towardtheirdailyfruit or vegetable consumption.Check out thisrecipefrom MANNAFoodBankand visitMANNAFoodBankfor more easy produce-based recipes.
The Easiest Cookies in the World
Ingredients:
- 2over-ripebananas
- 1cupquickoats
- ½cupchocolatechips
Mash bananas in a bowlusing a fork.The consistency should be gooey;try to get the lumps out.
Pour in oats and chocolate chips and mix well.
With moist hands, form 2-inch balls of mixture;place on greased cookie sheet about 1 inch apart. Bake at 350 degreesfor 15 to 20 minutes or until golden brown. Let cool and enjoy!Try adding raisins, craisins or nuts for more nutrients per serving.
https://www.mannafoodbank.org/agency-access-and-information/recipes/
If you are caring for someone with dementia, thiscan bea great recipe tomake together. Try having the person with dementia help with mashing bananas, mixingorforming the dough into balls.
Related: Learn moremealtime tips for people with dementiaandotherkitchen hacks for maintaining independence.
Katherine Starr
Katherine Starr, an AmeriCorps VISTA at CICOA, brings her passion and skill to the Meals & More Nutrition and Wellness project this year. Throughout college, Katherine volunteered 60 hours a semester at a dementia care facility, and she is now excited to help people with dementia and their caregivers live well within their own communities. Katherine received a bachelor’s degree in economics from Washington & Jefferson College in Pennsylvania and completed a dementia care certification through Presbyterian Senior Care Network and California University of Pennsylvania.
The post Eating Without Utensils first appeared on CICOA Aging & In-Home Solutions.
