Proper Portions at Meal Time: In-Home Care for Seniors

Health Eating for Seniors  |  March 5, 2018

What Every Senior in Vancouver, BC Needs to Know About In-Home Care and Proper Portion for Optimal Health

Proper Portions at Meal Time. March is National Nutrition Month, and our senior home care professionals want to encourage seniors to learn portion control. Larger portion sizes encourage seniors to eat more calories than they otherwise would, which can lead to unhealthy weight gain.

Seniors who have not been trained on portion control can underestimate how much they are eating with each portion. Try these tactics to ensure proper portion control.

Proper Portions at Meal Time Tips for Seniors:

Utilize Kitchen Scales and Measuring Cups: Measuring cups and food scales can help seniors stick to the correct portion size. After measuring food for a short time, seniors will be more able to eyeball proper portions.

Avoid Going Too Long Without Eating: Seniors who skip regular meals are more likely to become hungry and eat larger portions. This is why sticking to a regular meal schedule is important. Nutrition-filled meals, and 1-3 healthy snacks throughout the day, are ideal for seniors. Seniors should refrain from going more than five hours without eating.

Drink Lots of Water: Staying hydrated and drinking plenty of water makes it easier to feel full. This can help older adults cut back on calories without feeling hungry. Seniors should drink eight 8-ounce glasses of water to stay healthy and hydrated and to avoid extra calories.

Use Smaller Plates and Dishes: In general terms, we have been taught to fill our plates with food. However, larger plates can lead to overeating while smaller plates give the appearance of a larger portion size. This tactic can prevent seniors from adding too many calories to their plate.

Split Meals or Ask For A Box Right Away: Restaurants are known for oversized portions. Seniors who dine out regularly should try to split meals with one another or ask for a doggy bag. Portion control can condition a senior’s body to feel fuller when eating less food to maintain a healthy weight.

Load up on Nutrition First: Fill your plate with vegetables, whole grains, fruits, lean proteins, and other fiber-filled foods. This offers less chance of overeating sweets, unhealthy fats, and snack foods with little to no nutritional value.

Comfort Keepers® is the Best Senior Home Care Provider in Vancouver, BC

Comfort Keepers® is the preferred choice for many families when arranging senior home care services for a loved one in or around Vancouver. If you are concerned about the health and well-being of your aging loved ones we can help with Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia Care, End of Life Care, Respite Care, and much more! 

Comfort Keepers® Vancouver Can Help with Proper Portions at Meal Time with Interactive Caregiving™

Comfort Keepers® are trained caregivers who help provide senior clients with the highest quality of life possible to keep them happy and healthy at home. Our Interactive Caregiving™ provides a system of care that addresses safety, nutrition, mind, body, and activities of daily living (ADLs).

Our philosophy is to elevate the human spirit and our caregivers will be there every step of the way to ensure your loved one has a better quality of life. Personal and empathetic care is care that starts in the heart, and it allows us to meet our client’s exact needs. Learn more about our unique service which offers personal care, companionship care, palliative care, and end-of-life care by contacting the Comfort Keepers® Vancouver office.

Comfort Keepers® Brings You The Best Home Care Assistance Right Where You Live.

Comfort Keepers® Vancouver is proud to provide home care throughout Vancouver that keeps seniors safe in their homes. We provide home care for the seniors of Vancouver and the surrounding areas of Burnaby, Langley, Maple Ridge, and Richmond please call (604) 689-8609. 

Comfort Keepers® Vancouver has been accredited with Exemplary Standing with Accreditation Canada. Accreditation is an intensive process in which industry experts examine an organization’s processes, policies, and procedures against quality standards. To achieve accredited status, Comfort Keepers® offices met or exceeded the rigorous standards for Home Care companies, as defined by Accreditation Canada. 

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