Elderly people need to be careful about what they eat to stay in good health. However, preparing healthy and tasty meals is often a challenge. If you care for an elderly relative or friend, you might be looking for some inspiration, so here are five simple and healthy meals that you can prepare quickly or that they can prepare for themselves if they are able to.
-
Porridge
Nothing beats porridge for ease of preparation in the morning, and it will give you an energy boost that will last all day. It’s perfect for cold winter mornings, but great any time of year.
Simply take half a cup of rolled oats and add it to a saucepan along with a cup of water and a cup of milk. Cook and stir the porridge until it boils, then turn it down to a low heat and simmer, stirring continuously.
Once it’s ready, eat it as it is, or add sugar or honey to sweeten it. You could also add blueberries, bananas or any other type of fruit for extra flavour.
A boiled egg or poached egg with toast is another easy and delicious breakfast to prepare on any morning.
-
Potato and Leek Soup
Soup is one of those classic dishes that is easy to prepare, fills you up and keeps things interesting because there are so many varieties to choose from. You can also cook up a large pot at the same time then separate it into individual portions and freeze them for easy meals throughout the month.
Potato and leek is a classic recipe that’s easy to prepare. Simply boil up some chopped potatoes and leeks in vegetable stock and cook on a low heat until they are soft. Add salt, pepper and any herbs you want for flavour, then serve when it’s ready. Alternatively, put the soup in a processor to create a smooth consistency.
There is no limit to the type of soup you can make, and it’s a great way to get plenty of vegetables into your diet.
-
Greek Salad
Greek salad makes a light and tasty lunch packed full of goodness. The basic ingredients are lettuce, mint, olives, feta cheese, tomatoes, and onions. Simply mix them together and add a generous helping of extra virgin olive oil along with salt and pepper. Eat on its own or with bread.
-
Fish Fillets and Vegetables
This is an easy dish that packs a punch. Preparation is simple, the result is delicious and it’s a great way to get some fish in the diet.
Simply take a boneless fillet of a fish of your choice and lay it on a pan to go in the oven. Slice up an onion and a tomato and lay them over the fillets, and add a few knobs of butter.
Place in the oven at 200 degrees for about half an hour or until the fish is cooked through.
You can accompany this with any boiled vegetables of your choice, and aim for two or more (e.g. potatoes and broccoli).
-
Omelette
Omelette is healthy fast food at its best, and the variety is infinite. To prepare, simply heat a frying pan and add a few drops of oil. Then beat an egg or two in a cup and add it to the hot pan.
Wait until the egg is almost cooked through, then turn it over to cook on the other side.
As the other side is cooking, add whatever you want into the omelette. Ham and cheese is a simple and delicious option, but you could also add diced and cooked vegetables, pepper, spices or any variety of sauces.
Then fold the omelette in half and serve on a plate. Eat on its own, with a slice of toast, or with any vegetables you want.
