Simple Ways to Get Your Dad to Eat Heart-Healthy Meals

Your dad’s doctor told him he needs to improve his diet. He has heart disease, and medications are a start but they’re not the only thing he needs to do. Your dad needs to get more exercise, stop smoking and eat a heart-healthy diet. Hiring companion care at home services can help to oversee his diet.

The heart-healthy diet is the one area where you’re trying to help out. How can you get him to embrace a new diet when he doesn’t like to cook? Try some of these tips.

Prep Vegetables Ahead of Time

Companion Care at Home Malibu CA - Simple Ways to Get Your Dad to Eat Heart-Healthy Meals

Companion Care at Home Malibu CA – Simple Ways to Get Your Dad to Eat Heart-Healthy Meals

Think about your dad’s favorite vegetables. If he’s a big fan of broccoli, prep it at once and put it in storage containers in the fridge. When he needs a meal or snack, it’s already washed, chopped, and ready to use.

You can do the same with his favorite fruits. Chop them into slices and toss them in some lemon juice to prevent browning. When he needs a snack, it’s ready to go.

Make Overnight Oats

Purchase some small glass containers and put a half cup of old-fashioned oats into each cup. Add half a cup of unsweetened applesauce, a dash of cinnamon, flax seeds, and chopped nuts. Top that with a little unsweetened oat, almond, or hemp milk. Cover each container, shake it up, and move it to the fridge until needed.

When your dad is ready for breakfast, he just needs to take a cup from the fridge. It’s ready to go and doesn’t contain added sugar as packaged oatmeal does.

Keep Grains On Hand

Whole grains don’t have to be a pain to incorporate into your dad’s diet. Make large batches of barley, brown rice, farro, and quinoa. Portion it into freezer bags and write each item’s name on the bag before moving it to the freezer. He’ll have the grains ready to thaw and use as needed.

Boost Seafood

Make sure your dad is eating fish twice a week or so. If he loves having a sandwich for lunch, keep a batch of tuna salad ready in the fridge. Pack it with veggies and low-sodium albacore. A quick and easy recipe would be to mix the tuna with some vinegar and olive oil, chopped celery and onion, crushed capers, a couple of hard-boiled eggs, and fresh dill.

Eliminate Unhealthy Oils

Go through your dad’s cupboards or pantry and get rid of unhealthy oils. Keep him stocked with extra virgin olive oil, avocado oil, and walnut oil. Avoid palm oils, corn oil, and hydrogenated oil products like solid shortening.

Swap Butter for Olive Oil and Chopped Garlic

Your dad loves to have homemade rolls with his dinner. It’s a habit he doesn’t want to stop. Make whole-grain rolls and eliminate butter. Instead, have a small container that has extra virgin olive oil mixed with crushed garlic cloves. He can drizzle some of that on his roll.

Hire Companion Care at Home Aids to Cook For Him

One of the easiest and best ways to ensure your dad eats heart-healthy meals and snacks is by getting someone else to cook for him. Hire caregivers to talk to your dad about what he wants to eat, create grocery lists and take him shopping for the items he needs, and prepare his meals and snacks.

With companion care at home services, your dad eats what he should and stops relying on quick heat-and-eat frozen and packaged meals. Call our home care agency and ask about companion care at home prices and availability in your dad’s town.

If you or an aging loved one are considering Companion Care at Home Services in Malibu CA, please contact the caring staff at Assisting Hearts Home Care today. Proudly Serving the Los Angeles & Ventura County. Call us 24 hours a day, 7 days a week! (805) 371-0033, (818) 593-0094.

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