October is National Apple Month and it’s the best time of the year to enjoy delicious and very healthy fresh apples. Apples promote good gut health and have a lot of fiber, minerals, and antioxidants that can help your senior parent stay healthy.
But, apples can be difficult for seniors to eat. Even if your mom or dad has their natural teeth they may struggle to bite into apples or chew tough chunks of apples. There are lots of things that you or your mom or dad’s home care provider can do to make apples easier to eat though.
If your mom or dad has a home care provider that helps them cook, prepares snacks, and does the shopping, show them this list of 10 delicious ways that your mom or dad can enjoy easy-to-eat apples this fall:
Sliced Apples with Nut Butter
A home care provider can peel and slice thin apple wedges and serve with almond or peanut butter. Nut butters add protein and healthy fats, making the snack more satisfying and nutritious. The thin wedges of peeled apple should be easy for your mom or dad to eat without hurting their teeth or having apple skin get caught in their dentures.
Baked Apples
Baked apples are a wonderful fall treat! Baked apples are fantastic as a snack, a dessert, or even for breakfast. They’re easy to make, too. Just ask a care provider to core some apples, stuff them with a mixture of oats, cinnamon, and a touch of honey, then bake until tender.
Baking softens the apples, making them easier to chew, and the added oats and cinnamon boost fiber and antioxidants. There’s nothing like a warm, soft, sweet baked apple on a cold fall day.
Apple Slices with Yogurt Dip
Another great apple snack is apple slices with dip. A home care provider can peel and thinly slice fresh apples, then serve with a yogurt-based dip flavored with a bit of honey or vanilla.
Yogurt provides probiotics for gut health, and apples add fiber and vitamins. Thinly sliced fresh apples still have a bit of a crunch, but won’t put your mom or dad’s dentures or teeth at risk.
Apple Smoothies
For a fall-flavored healthy drink just blend cut apples with yogurt, a handful of spinach, and a splash of milk or a milk alternative. Smoothies are easy to consume and these fall smoothies have a little sweetness, the fresh apple taste, and protein.
Apple and Cheese Pairing
Peeled and thinly sliced apple wedges with small chunks of cheese like cheddar or gouda are a classic fall snack. Add some whole wheat crackers and serve everything on a charcuterie board for a very trendy and delicious fall snack that has protein, calcium, and vitamins and minerals.
Apple Oatmeal
If your mom or dad likes a hot breakfast in cold weather this is an easy to make seasonal favorite. Stir diced apples into oatmeal while cooking, and sprinkle with cinnamon. Oatmeal adds additional fiber, and cooked apples are softer and easier to chew. You can put sliced apples, oats, cinnamon, and milk into a slow cooker and cook it overnight too.
Apple Compote
If your mom or dad needs very soft food make them an apple compote with cinnamon. Cook apples with a bit of water, cinnamon, and a touch of sweetener until they’re soft and mashable. Warm apple compote and ice cream or whipped cream is a delicious soft-to-eat treat for seniors.
Apple Pancakes
Put a fall twist on classic pancakes by adding apples. Stir finely chopped apples into pancake batter and cook as usual. This adds fruit to a familiar dish, providing vitamins and fiber in a soft, easy-to-eat form.
Apple Salad
For a light lunch or as a side with dinner apple salad is a great fall treat. Toss diced apples with mixed greens, nuts, and a light vinaigrette. Apples add a sweet crunch to the salad, while greens and nuts contribute additional nutrients and healthy fats.
Apple Chia Pudding
Mix chia seeds with almond milk and a bit of maple syrup, then top with diced apples. Chia seeds are high in omega-3s and fiber, and the diced apples add sweetness and crunch.
Reference
https://nationaltoday.com/national-apple-month/
If you or an aging loved one is considering home care in Elizabeth, CO, please contact the caring staff at SYNERGY Home Care of Parker. 303-953-9924
