4 SUPERFOODS FOR SENIORS
If you are a fan of the Food Network or you watch cooking segments during the running of local news shows, you might have come across a common term that is not well-defined for most people.
We are talking about the term called superfoods.
The name suggests that if you eat these types of foods, you become blessed with an incredible amount of superhuman speed, strength, and other physical abilities. At our assisted living facility in Denver, Colorado, we emphasize the importance of superfoods because of the health benefits associated with making them a part of your diet.
Here are four superfoods for seniors living at retirement communities in Denver.
Dark, Leafy Greens
Perhaps the easiest superfood to incorporate into a senior’s diet is dark, leafy greens such as kale and spinach. Both dark, leafy greens contain an abundance of carotenoids, which protect the eyes against oxidative damage. They also provide plenty of vitamins A and C that enhance heart health and help you maintain a healthy blood pressure level. Vitamin K, which also is found in dark, leafy greens, plays a pivotal role in preventing the development of osteoporosis.
The best part of dark, leafy greens is you do not have to cook them to enjoy the nutrient benefits.
Cruciferous Vegetables
This family of vegetables, which include cabbage, broccoli, and Brussels sprouts, also do not require cooking to enjoy the health benefits of consuming them. These vegetables are excellent sources of providing fiber, as well as cancer-preventing phytochemicals. You can add these vegetables to soups, casseroles, and pasta dishes, as well as part of a vegetable tray served before a meal.
Sprinkle a little olive over the vegetables right before serving them on a tray.
Blueberries
Blueberries deliver highly positive neurocognitive effects in humans. The result of making blueberries a regular part of your diet is that the delicious fruit can help slow or even delay the type of cognitive decline that is associated with the aging process. Blueberries also are an abundant source of antioxidants, which are the compounds that protect cells from an invasion of free radicals. The sweet fruit also can reduce the risk of developing cancer and heart disease.
Sprinkle a few blueberries over oatmeal for breakfast, and then use the fruit as a garnish for a salad served at dinner.
Salmon
As a fatty fish, salmon contains plenty of protein, which is crucial for maintaining muscle mass as we grow older. The fish is also a rich source of omega-3 fatty acids, which lower the risk of developing heart disease. Living at a senior living center in Denver means you always have quick access to the fatty fish, as salmon thrive in the cool streams that flow through the Rocky Mountains.
You can bake, grill, and saute salmon to be served with dishes that include nutrient-rich cruciferous vegetables.
Eat Healthy at MorningStar-Observatory Park
One of the most important criteria for choosing one of the retirement communities in Denver, CO concerns the meal plans offered to residents. At our assisted living facility in Denver, our dieticians and nutritionists focus on incorporating superfoods into every meal plan. Find out more about our commitment to the health of our residents by scheduling a tour with one of our resident services representatives.