Mother’s Day is this month, which gives you an opportunity to show your mom how much you appreciate her. What are you going to do this year for the big day? One way to convey your love to the lady in your life is to prepare a delicious brunch. Decorate your backyard dining table with fresh flowers, hang some fairy lights in the garden, and serve your mother’s favourite treats and snacks.
The challenge to serving a celebratory brunch with seniors is to keep it on the healthy side. You want mom to enjoy a yummy slice of cake, but you also want her to feel hearty and strong. Too much sugar and empty carbs aren’t good for people of any age, let alone seniors. Seniors have to watch for things such as fibre and iron intake. They must eat a healthy dose of nutrients and vitamins with every meal.
We asked professional senior home care Personal Support Workers (PSWs) what they serve clients on special occasions and to give us tips on how to make a Mother’s Day brunch tasty and nutritious.
Sneak In Some Fibre
Fibre is an essential ingredient for seniors. It can help fight heart disease by reducing cholesterol levels, and eating fibre can lower the risk of getting certain types of cancers, such as colon cancer. Adults are encouraged to eat 25 to 30 grams of fibre per day — and that’s in food, not through supplements. For seniors, it’s critical to incorporate a little fibre into every meal.
An easy way to sneak some in at the Mother’s Day brunch table is by cutting pieces of fibrous fruit. Slice up a few pears, mangos, and bananas. If you and your mom prefer dried fruits to fresh ones, put out a few bowls of dried apricots or figs to snack on. You could also serve oatmeal or muesli as one of the main brunch courses. Such cereals make excellent breakfasts because they’re high in both fibre and energy.
Pump Up The Iron
Iron is a mineral found naturally in the human body. It contributes to making hemoglobin, the substance in red blood cells that helps carry oxygen all over the body. Without enough iron, the body can’t make hemoglobin, and there’s a risk of developing something called anemia. Anemia essentially means that there’s an iron deficiency in the body, and symptoms include:
- Dizziness
- Exhaustion
- Feeling Cold
- Trouble Breathing
Include a little iron by making a refreshing spinach salad — spinach is loaded with the stuff. You could add some turkey, pumpkin seeds, and quinoa to the salad to create an iron-rich, delicious brunch treat.
Sweet Treats
Is your mom diabetic? Then you’ll already know to avoid sugar. Look into diabetic alternatives instead. Otherwise, there’s no harm in serving a simple coffee cake or a few cupcakes. Just remember also to provide nutritious blueberries, apples, and other fruitful delights you both enjoy.
Serve mom something satisfying and healthy this Mother’s Day — you’ll both benefit from a loving, nutritious meal.
