Whether you’re a senior cooking for yourself or a caregiver cooking for a loved one, it can be difficult to find a balance between meals that are both tasty and healthy for seniors. Ebenezer Senior Living has compiled a list of some heart-healthy, easy-to-make recipes that will treat both your body and your taste buds. Many of these recipes are also softer foods, which are ideal for seniors with difficulty chewing.

Tuna Salad

Tuna salad is an extremely versatile and healthy food that can be enjoyed by itself, in a sandwich with fiber-rich whole grain bread, or in a lettuce wrap. Adding greens like chopped pickles or celery or switching out the mayo for some flavorful hummus can make the meal even healthier. You can also prepare the salad beforehand and keep it in the fridge for several days. It’s a low-cost, low-effort meal that’s perfect for a quick lunch.

Smoothies

Eating a healthy breakfast helps you start off the day on a good note, but sometimes, cooking a whole meal so early can be demanding, especially for older adults or caregivers with busy schedules. A smoothie consisting of frozen fruit and low-fat yogurt can be prepared the night before and kept in the fridge until the morning. If you’d prefer something with more substance, this recipe includes rolled oats.

Soup

There are few things more delicious than a hot bowl of soup, especially during the cold winter months. Vegetable soups in particular are hearty, healthy, and filling. While the initial preparation may involve some slicing and chopping, this can be made easier with pre-chopped veggies from the store. Soup also stores well, meaning you’ll have a week’s worth of lunches or dinners all set.

Baked Potatoes

A baked potato or sweet potato cooked in the microwave works well as a side dish or light dinner. It’s easy to make and very filling, so it’s a great choice if you need to get something in your body but don’t have the time or energy to cook a large meal. Baked potatoes pair well with steamed veggies like carrots or broccoli, and you can also pour a can of chunky soup over it for some more flavor.

We hope these simple recipes were able to give you some starting points for meals you can cook for yourself or your loved one. For more lifestyle tips related to senior living, visit our other Ebenezer blog posts.