Having GERD or gastroesophageal reflux disease can be annoying to deal with as an elderly person. If you notice your mom or dad is avoiding eating because it causes them too much pain or they have a lot of regurgitated food, it is time to look into what they’re eating. Home care can help your loved one by cooking for them when they don’t feel like cooking, and home care can ensure they are eating non-triggering foods throughout the day. The more your loved one can eat, the healthier they will be and the more manageable their weight will be. Here are some ideas that your loved one with GERD may be able to eat.
Eat More Vegetables
Although raw vegetables require more chewing and may be harder to eat, home care can fully bake many vegetables, making them softer to eat. Make all the vegetables soft and ensure your loved one is chewing multiple times for at least a minute before swallowing. Vegetables can help reduce acid reflux and heartburn making them perfect for those suffering with GERD. Seniors should be eating tons of vegetables as they age because it helps them with vitamins, minerals, weight management and much more. Most well-rounded diets will include vegetables, and doctors will always encourage people to eat as many vegetables as they can.
Start Your Day With Oatmeal
Oatmeal is one of the best ways to start your morning and a good way to stay full. Many people with acid reflux, heartburn, and GERD can eat oatmeal because it is soft, not very acidic and doesn’t require much chewing. Oats will help absorb stomach acid, which can also help keep it from coming back up. Your loved one can keep the oats down and feel full for much longer. This is something that home care can whip up in just a few minutes, too. Oatmeal is something to experiment with.
Eat More Fruit
Fruit is a great source of vitamins and minerals, but your senior should avoid highly acidic fruits. Grapefruit, lemon, limes, and oranges may be the wrong choice for your loved ones because they are highly acidic, so it’s best to look for other options. Some low-acid fruits your senior may enjoy are fruits like bananas, pears, and melons. You can add these into oatmeal or drizzle honey over pears for a tasty snack. The best part about these fruits is that they are very easy to eat when they are ripe, but a senior will still have to chew thoroughly.
Skip Eggs and Eat Egg Whites
Your senior may love eggs, but the yolk is high in fat and may cause acid reflux and regurgitation. However, you can still eat egg whites. These are low fat and low calorie but still have all of the protein your loved one may need to start the day. You can poach egg whites, cook them on the stove, or bake them just like you would a regular egg. If you don’t feel like separating your own eggs, that is okay. You can usually find a carton of egg whites at the store. Home care can easily make eggs for your elderly loved one because they take just a few minutes to cook.
If you or an aging loved one is considering home care in Littleton, CO, please contact the caring staff at SYNERGY Home Care of Parker. 303-953-9924
