How to Help Your Senior Parent Cut Calories Without Becoming Malnourished

If your mom or dad is aging in place and they are overweight, losing weight may be a challenge for them. Seniors, who tend to be less active due to age-related issues and mobility challenges, often struggle to lose weight.

Cutting calories is necessary for your mom or dad to lose weight, but at the same time, you must make sure that they aren’t eating so little that they become malnourished. A huge percentage of seniors become malnourished as they get older, which can cause severe health problems.

If you can’t be with your mom or dad each day to help them prepare meals and snacks and ensure they’re eating healthy foods in the correct portions, elder care providers can help. If your mom or dad has elder care services, a caregiver will be there with them all day to help them make good food choices.

In addition to getting elder care at home for your mom or dad, some things you can do to help them lose weight without becoming malnourished are:

 

Focus on Nutrient-Dense Foods

The key to cutting calories without losing vital nutrients is to prioritize nutrient-dense foods. These foods are rich in vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients but low in calories.

Encourage your senior parent to eat more vegetables, fruits, lean proteins, whole grains, and low-fat dairy. For example, swap out calorie-heavy sides, such as mashed potatoes with butter, for steamed broccoli or a fresh salad.

Eating healthier foods means shopping more carefully and more often. An elder care provider can help your mom or dad with a shopping list and help them shop for high-quality, healthy foods.

 

Practice Portion Control

One simple way to reduce calorie intake is by controlling portion sizes. Seniors may not need to eat as much as they once did, so serving smaller portions of calorie-dense foods is an effective strategy.

Serve meals on smaller plates and in smaller bowls to make meals visually satisfying. Avoid serving large portions that might encourage overeating. But make sure that your mom or dad is eating enough calories to sustain themselves.

 

Choose Low-Calorie, High-Fiber Foods

Fiber-rich foods like vegetables, whole grains, beans, and fruits are great for keeping seniors full while being relatively low in calories. Foods high in fiber also help regulate digestion, which can be especially beneficial for older adults.

For instance, replacing white bread with whole-grain bread or using zucchini noodles instead of regular pasta are small changes that can significantly reduce calories without sacrificing fullness or nutrients.

 

Limit Empty Calories

Empty calories come from foods and drinks that are high in calories but low in nutrients, such as sugary snacks, soda, and fried foods. Encourage your parent to cut back on these items and replace them with healthier alternatives.

For example, instead of a sugary dessert, offer fresh fruit or yogurt with a drizzle of honey. Similarly, replace sugary beverages with water, herbal tea, or sparkling water with a splash of lemon or lime. Cutting out empty calories can help your mom or dad lose weight without sacrificing nutrients they need for good health.

 

Prepare Meals with Smart Cooking Techniques

The way food is prepared can significantly affect its calorie content. Use cooking methods like steaming, baking, grilling, or roasting instead of frying, which adds extra fat and calories.

Season foods with herbs, spices, and citrus instead of calorie-heavy sauces or butter. For example, a grilled chicken breast seasoned with lemon and rosemary is a lower-calorie option compared to fried chicken.

 

 

 

If you or an aging loved one is considering Elder Care in Glen Cove, NY, please contact the caring staff at Brookville Homecare today. 516-802-7722