One thing that people don’t often talk about is the sugar cravings that many people with Alzheimer’s get. Your mom’s cravings for sugary foods are strong, and it makes it hard to find ways to get her to eat. If it’s not sugary, she will not touch it. You and her Alzheimer’s care provider can get your mom to eat a balanced diet while also focusing on her sweet tooth. Here are some of the best ways to do that.
Sneak Vegetables Into Her Favorites
Your mom loves brownies, especially when they’re very dense, moist, and have walnuts added to them. The walnuts are a good start, but you can also add some extra nutrients to them. Use white wheat flour in place of all-purpose. Puree dates and use that to sweeten them instead of granulated sugar. You can also add grated zucchini and ricotta cheese for the moisture content.
Carrot cake is a great way to give your mom something sweet while adding nutrients. Instead of sugar, make it with mashed bananas or applesauce. Add grated zucchini, apples, and even pineapple. Walnuts and pecans provide fiber.
When she’s looking for a snack, you have the perfect opportunity to boost vegetable intake. Make a chocolate shake with protein powder, the milk she prefers, cauliflower, spinach powder, and peanut butter or almond butter. Add a banana if she likes them. Yogurt is also a good source of protein and dairy.
Serve Meats With Sweet Sauces
You need your mom to eat protein, so serve it with something sweet. Make an applesauce to go with slices of pork tenderloin. Cherry sauce is great with chicken or lamb. Orange is good with many meats and kinds of seafood.
You could make a stew with chicken, pumpkin or squash, apples, carrots, onions, and kale. It’s going to be sweeter while also being hearty.
Roast Sweeter Veggies
Roasted vegetables are a good side, and your mom will enjoy sweeter ones like carrots, parsnips, butternut squash, and sweet potatoes. Mix in some other items like broccoli or Brussels sprouts for the added vitamins. You can even add some apples, pears, or pineapple.
Make Sure You’re Taking Care of Yourself
Do you take time for yourself? As your mom’s care needs increase, are you taking on all of the additional work or do you have help? Make sure that you’re enlisting the help of others to ensure you get to have time off.
Some people do not have a large support circle. If you’re one of them, Alzheimer’s care is an essential service for you and your mom. She’ll have a trained caregiver to help her when you need a break. You have an Alzheimer’s care aide to lean on when there are care needs you’re not comfortable or able to handle.
If you or an aging loved one are considering hiring Alzheimer’s Care in Buckeye, AZ, please contact the caring staff at Blessings for Seniors Companion Care at (623) 594-0819.
Blessings for Seniors makes it possible for older adults to enjoy the comforts of their own home for as long as possible. We offer a customized care plan that includes services such as; Hourly Senior Home Care, 24-Hour Home Care, Dementia Care, Personal Care and Companion Care. Also ask us about our Veterans’ Home Care program.
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