Healthy Ingredients for Smoothies

When seniors receive skilled nursing care at their Chesterfield home, food choices may be limited depending on the state of their health. Some could be bedridden, others may have trouble digesting certain foods. These lack of options can make it more difficult for patients to get the right amount of vitamins and minerals into their systems.

A possible (and tasty) solution comes in the form of smoothies. Of course, please consult a doctor before trying these ingredients as some patients require a strict diet that is specific to their case.

Antioxidants are a key and beneficial part to any diet. Although oxidation is a natural process that happens to cells, it can also be damaging at times. When oxidation begins to damage certain cells, it sets off a chain reaction of further destroying other cells in the body which can lead to heart disease, cancer, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and other illnesses. Antioxidants counteract the negative effects of oxidation when it happens to various cells in the body. Especially in the elderly, a high intake of antioxidants can help arm the body to defend against this process. Fruits that are high in antioxidants include blueberries, strawberries, plums, dark grapes, mangoes, and cherries. Vegetables such as kale, spinach, broccoli, beets, sweet potatoes, and carrots are all also rich in antioxidants.

Dark green veggies like broccoli, spinach, kale, and collard greens are high in vitamins A, C, and E, calcium, magnesium, and potassium.

Tea is another great source that provides the body with different types of antioxidants that fight inflammation and cell damage. Green tea in particular is especially rich. Don’t forget the caffeine-free options for tea if that is better suited for the individual.

Nuts are a small but powerful snack. They contain “healthy” fat with a small amount of carbs and protein. Whole grains are also a great choice because they aren’t just high in fiber but also selenium (an antioxidant).

The great thing about all of these different foods is they can easily be blended together into a refreshing smoothie. There is a large variety of smoothie recipes that contain many of these ingredients, but a part of the fun is testing out different combinations and variations to find recipes suitable to the person’s tastes. While receiving skilled nursing care at home in Macomb, this can be a fun and delicious way for a loved one to get their necessary nutrients.