Soup has long been considered comfort food. It’s easy to make and is particularly welcome during the cold winter months. Homemade recipes are also healthier than store-bought varieties. When making your own soup, you have full control over the ingredients, including the amount of salt you use. As many older adults are susceptible to fluid retention, low sodium is a must. Your senior loved one will no doubt appreciate the effort you make when you cook one of the following healthy soups.
1. Vegetable
To a pot full of vegetable stock, add a wide selection of vegetables. Use onions, garlic, celery, and bell peppers along with carrots, corn, tomatoes, potatoes, and green beans. Add some strips of chard, kale, or spinach. Season the mix with bay leaf, salt, pepper, and paprika. Add a dash or two of turmeric. Each bowl has a mere 72 calories along with calcium, iron, and potassium. Increase the protein by adding beans.
For seniors who want to prepare their own meals but have health conditions that make cooking alone unsafe, a professional caregiver can be a great resource. Many seniors prefer aging in place over moving to assisted living facilities. If your senior loved one needs assistance to remain safe and comfortable while living at home, reach out to Home Care Assistance, a leading at-home care agency. Our dedicated in-home caregivers can assist with meal prep, bathing and grooming, exercise, medication reminders, and many other important tasks.
2. Creamy Cauliflower/Pumpkin
This soup is ideal for autumn and contains potent antioxidants that fight oxidative stress. Sauté an onion, then add a combination of vegetable broth and low-fat milk. Add canned pumpkin and a head of cauliflower cut into bite-sized florets. Season the soup with salt, pepper, cloves, and nutmeg. Once the cauliflower is tender, puree the mix and serve. Each bowl has only 66 calories and offers plenty of fiber, protein, calcium, iron, and potassium along with vitamins A and C.
3. Minestrone
Sauté chopped celery, carrots, and onions until tender. Add vegetable broth, water, white beans, diced cabbage, and potatoes, and season with thyme and salt. Cook until the vegetables are tender and add pasta, broccoli, and tomatoes. Each bowl has 553 calories along with 27 grams of protein, 16 grams of fiber, and 294 milligrams of calcium as well as iron, potassium, and vitamin C.
Some seniors need a higher level of assistance to ensure they get enough nutrition, exercise, and mental stimulation and that their daily needs are met. If your senior loved one needs hourly or live-in care, Huntsville Home Care Assistance can help. Our caregivers can assist with exercise and mobility, prepare nutritious meals, provide timely medication reminders, and help with a wide array of other important daily tasks.
4. Potato/Leek
Sauté diced leeks and fennel until soft. Add broth and diced potatoes, and season with salt. Once the potatoes are tender, puree the soup if desired. Serve with freshly baked bread and a salad. Each serving contains 202 calories and 7 grams of protein along with calcium, iron, and potassium, all of which are necessary for cardiovascular health.
5. Barley/Mushroom
Sauté carrots, celery, and onions until tender. Add broth, sliced mushrooms, and barley. Season with salt and pepper. Each serving provides 320 calories, 17 milligrams of protein, and 11 milligrams of fiber. The soup also provides calcium and iron.
6. Split Pea
To a pot of chicken broth, add a ham bone or ham hocks, dried split peas, potatoes, carrots, and onions. Season with powdered garlic, basil, bay leaf, and marjoram. Each bowl contains 312 calories, 16 grams of fiber, and 25 grams of protein. Split pea soup is also a good source of vitamin A, iron, and potassium.
If your loved one needs assistance with planning and preparing meals or accomplishing other simple tasks of daily life, help is just a phone call away. Seniors who want to remain healthy as they age can benefit in a variety of ways when they receive professional senior home care. Huntsville, AL, Home Care Assistance is here to help your loved one accomplish daily tasks, prevent illness, and focus on living a healthier and more fulfilling life. Reach out to one of our Care Managers today at (256) 716-9940 to learn more about our high-quality home care services.