A caregiver’s daily routine is packed with activities that range from caring for the elderly to keeping the house clean. Keeping the environment safe is a huge task, and when it comes to taking care of their diet, many caregivers end up neglecting themselves. What they need are quick meal prep ideas to make their life easier.
And if you are a caregiver who is caring for an elderly relative or an older individual, you may have been given the task of preparing meals for them as well. Whatever a scenario or situation is, making elaborate and time-consuming dishes becomes complicated and stressful. When time is of the essence, we all want to make something quick but nutritious.
Here are some ideas for quick and easy recipes that are great for seniors because of their nutritional value.
Breakfast
Breakfast is considered the most important meal of the day, and rightfully so. Whether you are preparing breakfast for your senior or elderly loved one or making something for yourself, this is when you can give yourself the energy to tackle the rest of the day.
Overnight Oats
There are so many ways of making oatmeal, and it is one of the easiest yet most nutritious breakfast options. Caregivers or healthcare workers can make overnight oatmeal in a slow cooker while they complete other tasks. They can also make oatmeal in the microwave, which takes seconds. No matter which method you opt for, caregivers can make their breakfast healthy by adding berries, chia seeds, or raisins. You can make some extra oatmeal and store it in the fridge.
Eggs
Another quick and easy breakfast option is eggs. Pair it with a slice of avocado for added benefits.
Yogurt Parfait
Making yogurt parfait does not need fancy ingredients. You can also make extra and store it in the fridge. Make your parfait extra nutritious with Greek yogurt because it is packed with protein. Add chia seeds, berries, and granola for some added crunch.
Lunch
Avocado Toast
Avocado toast became an internet sensation for the right reasons. It’s a quick and easy recipe that doesn’t require much time to make, but it is loaded with nutrition! In a small bowl, combine avocado, lemon juice, salt, and pepper and mash it well. Top your toasted bread with this avocado mixture and drizzle some olive oil and toppings if you like. Avocado’s smooth and creamy texture makes it perfect for seniors and contains healthy fats, fiber, and essential nutrients.
Quinoa Salad
The best thing about quinoa is its versatility. You can add quinoa to salads, or you can pair it with some fish or steak. Quinoa is very nutritious because it is high in fiber and protein, and it is gluten-free, which is a huge bonus for some. A lot of people replace rice with quinoa for health benefits.
Dinner
Pasta with shrimp
Looking for easy dinner recipes? If you have a pack of frozen shrimp (or fresh) in the fridge or freezer, put them to good use by making pasta! Stir fry the shrimp in little oil and other condiments based on your liking. If you have pasta sauce in the fridge, you can use that for your shrimp pasta dish.
Baked Salmon
One of the easiest, most healthy, and wholesome meals is baked salmon. Preparing and cooking salmon does not require extensive preparation. Do you have salmon in the freezer? Thaw it, drizzle lemon zest, and use the spices you love most. Usually, salt, pepper, minced garlic, and olive oil work best (or you can replace olive oil with butter). Marinate your salmon in the fridge for 30 minutes and bake at 450 degrees for 20 minutes or till it’s cooked through.
