Eat Well, Live Happily: Nutrition Tips for a Healthier You
Tap into essential nutrition advice with Home Instead Havant for maintaining your health throughout the year. <br />
Maintaining a nutritious diet is key to staying healthy throughout the year, adhering to the principle that ‘you are what you eat.’ Proper nutrition is crucial to feeling your best every day.
At Home Instead Havant, we focus on providing straightforward, actionable nutrition advice. While it’s okay to treat yourself occasionally, the core of your diet should be wholesome and nourishing.
Here are some simple guidelines for our clients and their families to keep everyone healthy and well-nourished:
Hydration Is Key
Hydration is essential for overall health:
– Begin your day with a warm glass of lemon water to jump-start your digestion.
– Always keep a bottle or flask of herbal tea or water handy.
– Drink 6-8 glasses of water daily and use reminders to keep up your hydration.
Perfect Your Portions
Balancing your meal portions is vital for maintaining good health:
– Opt for smaller, more frequent meals throughout the day to sustain energy and aid digestion.
– Use smaller plates to help naturally control portion sizes.
– Each meal should have a good mix of protein, carbohydrates, and vegetables, such as a portion of salmon, a serving of whole grains, and a side of colourful vegetables.
Keep It Simple
Simplifying meal preparation can be enormously beneficial:
– Prepare ingredients ahead of time to minimise cooking time.
– Store healthy snacks like fruits and nuts within easy reach to ward off the temptation of unhealthy options.
– Plan your meals weekly to ensure variety and balanced nutrition. Use pre-cut frozen vegetables to save time and preserve nutrients.
– Consider a meal delivery service to bring nutritious, diverse meals directly to your door.
– Take advantage of local eateries to dine out occasionally and enjoy different cuisines.
Variety Is the Spice of Life
A varied diet is both appealing and nutritious:
– Include different coloured vegetables and fruits in your meals to get a broad range of nutrients.
– Experiment with a variety of natural food colours from vegetables, fruits, and spices to keep meals interesting.
Focus on Lean Proteins
Protein is essential for muscle health and overall vitality:
– Ensure each meal includes a source of lean protein, such as chicken, fish, beans, or lentils.
– Try including plant-based proteins to add variety to your diet and enjoy additional health benefits.
Staying Active
Staying physically active is as important as maintaining a good diet, especially for older adults. Here are some gentle, safe exercises and activities designed to keep our clients moving:
Regular Walks: Encourage daily or weekly walks, depending on the individual’s ability. Even short walks can greatly benefit cardiovascular health and mental well-being.
Chair Exercise: Join an exercise class in the local area that can be done while seated. ‘Love to Move’ is excellent for flexibility and mobility, and is easy on the joints.
Light Stretching Routines: Engage in daily stretching to improve flexibility and reduce muscle stiffness. This can be done with the assistance of a caregiver to ensure safety.
Tai Chi: Introduce gentle Tai Chi classes, known for improving balance and calming the mind.
Dance Therapy: Organise group or individual dance sessions that can be adjusted for mobility levels. Dancing is not only fun but also a great way to stay active and improve coordination.
Food For Thought
At Home Instead Havant, our Care Professionals are dedicated to supporting our clients and their families with maintaining a healthy diet and an active lifestyle throughout the year. We assist with meal planning, shopping for groceries, preparing nutritious meals, and organising physical activities that suit the capabilities of our clients.
We also promote staying active through regular outings for shopping or participating in social activities, making these an enjoyable part of everyday life with the support of our friendly Care Professionals.
If you or someone you care for could use some support with nutrition, home help or just getting out and about, please call us on 02394 249683or pop into our friendly office.