Nearly 15% of older adults in assisted living facilities struggle with depression, which can impact more than a person’s mood. As the days get shorter, seniors must find ways to enjoy life, even in the little ways. By eating delicious and nutritious food, senior living residents can start to feel better from the inside and out. Our team has compiled a list of some of the best dishes to add to your diet if you want to see improvements. At senior living homes, residents can adjust meal plans to meet their health needs. Take a look below to discover the best dishes for the fall season!
Pumpkin Muffins
One of the most important things at senior living facilities is that residents start each day strong. Pumpkin muffins are a perfect treat for breakfast for older adults. Pumpkin improves the digestive system and provides the body with immune-fighting nutrients. By adding oats, honey, and applesauce, these muffins can fuel seniors without having to cook an entire meal. Inspired Living provides assisted living and memory care housing to residents who want to live in a community. You can find a senior living community with the help of our team.
Cinnamon Apple Waffles
If you’re looking for another dish to deal with chilly mornings, cinnamon apple waffles are a perfect choice. Cinnamon comes with various benefits for seniors, it lowers blood sugar and blood pressure levels. Comfort foods can be enjoyable while still improving your well-being. Other benefits of this simple fall spice are increased metabolism and the prevention of certain cancers. Including apples in the waffle mix can also help the body defend against chronic conditions. People at risk of having diabetes, heart disease, and cancer have seen the most significant results. Apples are great for weight loss, they can even improve memory since they create healthy interactions between the brain and gut. Our dining options focus on creating delicious meals and diverse menus. We use “from scratch” recipes whenever possible, especially at breakfast. Inspired Living offers chef-prepared meals that residents enjoy and ask for more of.
Single-Pan Dishes in Assisted Living
Single pan dishes are ideal for older adults since they reduce time cleaning up and necessary storage space. Most people make single-pan dishes with a protein like turkey or chicken as the base. To make this dish, marinate the meat and your choice of vegetables separately to absorb your favorite flavors. Once the food is mixed with spices and olive oil, it goes into a pan and the oven until fully cooked through. Not only do seniors get minerals and protein with this meal, but they also get the nutrients from the spices and veggies. Olive oil can also improve a person’s health and deter heart conditions. At Inspired Living, residents are encouraged to make recommendations.
Sweet Potato Chili
Chili is a falltime favorite because it’s versatile and can be adjusted to everyone’s taste buds. Seniors may have more sensitive or dulled taste buds that impact the sensation of eating. Sweet potato chili is a perfect alternative to classic recipes since it’s loaded with more nutritious items. Tomatoes and red peppers can become acidic and disrupt the digestive system, but with sweet potatoes, the recipe is mellow. This meal is beneficial to age well and will fill up stomachs quickly. We often incorporate chili recipes into our dining options because it’s popular amongst residents. Sweet potatoes offer vitamins C and K, along with potassium and fiber.
Vegetable Soup
Finding fall dinner recipes can be a challenge if there are diet limitations. Veggie soup is a perfect meal for seniors since it can incorporate the ingredients that will benefit each person’s body. There aren’t any rules on items that go into soup, which also gives our cooking staff the flexibility to explore flavor combinations. Some of the best fall superfoods to add include zucchini, cabbage, and cauliflower. Sweet potatoes, kale, and butternut squash also serve as great options for soup recipes.
Maple Roasted Veggies
If you’re looking for a dish that uses autumn fruits and vegetables, you don’t want to neglect the sides. Maple roasted veggies, mixed with fruit and nuts, can be a wonderful side or main dish. Carrots, brussel sprouts, and sweet potatoes are perfect veggies for comfort foods like this. To increase contrast, you can add walnuts, cranberries, or cherries and improve the taste. Aging well isn’t an impossible task when superfoods are added to the diet. Our senior living facilities emphasize the importance of a balanced diet with meals like this!
Butternut Squash Lasagna
Italian favorites pair well with some of the most seasonal ingredients of the fall. Butternut squash lasagna is a perfect dish for seniors since it’s easy to digest and doesn’t lead to heartburn. Butternut squash is known for reducing the risk of certain types of cancer and regulating blood pressure levels. It can also help prevent people from having heart disease or a stroke. Cinnamon, squash, and ricotta are beneficial to the body. Adding spinach, whole-grain pasta, and apples or onions can also increase nutrient intake. Butternut squash lasagna is a fun fall dish that residents can enjoy with their neighbors during the holidays. This meal is tasty and filling and will benefit the body. The immune system will get a boost, and digestive problems can be resolved with this dish. Don’t forget that there are plenty of alternatives if residents can’t have dairy products.
Bite Into These Fall Dishes at Our Senior Living Home
Senior living kitchens aren’t filled with bland foods like many people assume. Our assisted living and memory care communities focus on using a person’s diet to benefit their body and brain. With the right ingredients and delicious meals, residents can have something to look forward to. Whether you or someone you love needs to improve elderly health, the diet is a great place to start. Our website offers plenty of resources to help residents determine if Inspired Living is the right fit. Take a look at our floor plans and contact us to schedule a tour!
