January is the perfect month to be dedicated to celebrating all of the wonderful qualities of oats and oatmeal. Oats are the grain of the month according to the Whole Grains Counsel so let’s look at some great ways you and your loved one can celebrate these hearty grains that warm you up on a cold winter’s morning and keep you going all day long.
Top Health Benefits of Oatmeal
One of the great things about oats is that they are almost always in their whole grain form, whether they are rolled or steel cut and that gives them a healthy leg up on many other grains which can become easily processed and lose a lot of their health benefits.
Before we get into the many health benefits oats provide your senior, take a moment to consider that they are often one of the most cost-effective breakfast foods out there as well, making them generally available to anyone on any budget.
- Lowers Cholesterol Levels. Because of its beta-glucan content, eating a bowl of oatmeal a day can help lower those bad cholesterol numbers without harming the good cholesterol numbers.
- Feeds Good Gut Bacteria. Oatmeal helps your senior to have a healthier gut by coating the gut with a gel-like substance that feeds the good bacteria in the gut and increases its growth.
- Reduces Inflammation. Oatmeal is packed with antioxidants, especially polyphenols. These compounds can increase blood flow, lower blood pressure and reduce inflammation and itching.
- Provides plenty of Protein. Protein can help your elderly loved one stay full longer, reducing the desire to snack on empty calories between meals.
- Reduces Blood Sugar Levels. Oatmeal soluble fiber, known as beta-glucan can help improve insulin response and possibly reduce blood sugar, too.
Making Oatmeal a Regular Part of Your Loved One’s Diet
Now that you know the healthy benefits of enjoying a bowl of oatmeal, how do you get your senior to make it a part of her regular diet? If she is not a huge oatmeal fan or has memories of tasteless oatmeal of her youth, you might need to try some new recipes for her to enjoy it.
Start with talking to her home care provider about incorporating some oatmeal into your loved one’s weekly meal planning. While it’s traditionally for breakfast, your home care provider can work with your loved one to have it at any time of the day. She might like it for lunch instead. There are no rules.
Here are Three Simple Ways to Make Oatmeal Taste Better
- Have your home care provider cook it on the stovetop instead of the microwave. The stove top will produce a richer flavor and often better consistency.
- Make oatmeal with milk instead of water. Your loved one will get the nutrients from the milk and her oats will be creamier and have more flavor.
- Change up the toppings. Since oatmeal is a great base but doesn’t have a lot of flavor on its own, the best way to make it taste delicious is to give it some great toppings. From fresh blueberries that are rich in antioxidants to a dollop of maple syrup, there are plenty of ways to enjoy a daily bowl of oatmeal.
If you or an aging loved one are considering home care in Pavilion, MI, please contact the caring staff at Fresh Perspective Home Care today. Call (269) 329-4717.
Fresh Perspective Home Care is a trusted non-medical senior home care provider in Kalamazoo, Portage, Mattawan, Richland, Vicksburg, Schoolcraft, Three Rivers, Gull Lake, Yorkville and Otsego, Michigan.
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