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.

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

Many families prefer Comfort Keepers® when arranging senior home care services for a loved one in or around Vancouver, British Columbia. 

If you are concerned about the health and well-being of your aging loved ones, we can help with 24-hour care. Comfort Keepers Vancouver also provides home care services like respite care, overnight care, Alzheimer’s disease and dementia care, personal care, and more! 

Comfort Keepers® Vancouver Can Help with Companion Care and Interactive Caregiving™

Personal and empathetic care starts in the heart and allows us to meet our clients’ needs. Comfort Keeper’s philosophy is to elevate the human spirit, and our caregivers ensure your loved one experiences a better quality of life.

Trained caregivers help provide our senior clients with personal home care to help maintain the highest possible quality of life, keeping them happy and healthy at home. Our Interactive Caregiving™ delivers a system of care that addresses safety, nutrition, mind, body, and activities of daily living (ADLs).

Bring The Best Home Care Assistance for Seniors Right Where You Live with Comfort Keepers®

Comfort Keepers® Vancouver is proud to provide elder care in homes throughout Vancouver, keeping 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. 

Personal Care and Senior Homecare in Vancouver, BC

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.

Accredited and Quality Respite Care Available 24/7 for British Columbia Families

Accreditation Canada has awarded Comfort Keepers® Vancouver with Exemplary Standing. This designation is only achieved after an organization’s policies, procedures, and processes undergo a thorough evaluation by industry experts to ensure they meet or exceed the stringent quality standards set by Accreditation Canada for Home Care companies.

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