Has your elderly loved one been diagnosed with a heart condition? Maybe, they don’t have a specific heart condition, but they do experience some symptoms that are concerning. Either way, there are some foods that studies show are great for people who have heart problems. You or a home care provider should make sure these foods make it onto your elderly loved one’s grocery list.
Omega 3 Foods
Your elderly loved one should make sure they are eating enough Omega 3 foods. There are many studies that show how effective these types of foods are for preventing heart health issues. They can help to prevent arrhythmias, plaque buildup, and many other heart issues.
Some of the foods that have Omega 3’s include:
- * Trout
- * Tuna
- * Salmon
- * Mackerel
- * Sardines
Talk to your elderly loved one and find out which of these foods they would be willing to eat regularly. Then, you or the home care provider can add those to your loved one’s shopping list.
Polyphenols
Another one of the things that are great for people who have heart problems or who are trying to prevent those problems is polyphenols. These can help to prevent plaque buildup and heart disease. The good news is there are many foods that you or a home care provider can get for your elderly loved one that has these in it. The first food that you should focus on for your elderly loved one is berries.
Some of the best berries that are filled with polyphenols include:
- * Strawberries
- * Raspberries
- * Blueberries
- * Blackberries
You can mix these into a salad or have your elderly loved one eat them without anything else – as a snack.
Beta-Glucan
You and home care providers should also make sure your elderly loved one is getting enough beta-glucan. This is a fiber that helps to lower LDL cholesterol which is unhealthy cholesterol.
Some foods that have beta-glucan in them include:
- * Shitake mushrooms
- * Seaweed
- * Barley
- * Oatmeal
If you or a home care provider can add these foods into your elderly loved one’s grocery list and they eat them regularly, it can positively impact their heart health.
Home Care Providers Can Step in
Are you worried about your elderly loved one’s heart health? If so, the above-mentioned foods should be added to their diet. If you or the home care providers get these foods for your elderly loved one each time you get their groceries, they can consistently have heart-healthy foods in their diet. If your elderly loved one needs more foods to add to their diet, you can look them up online or have your loved one talk to a nutritionist.
Sources: https://healthfinder.gov/healthtopics/category/health-conditions-and-diseases/heart-health/heart-healthy-foods-shopping-list