When your parents get older, their health is more and more important to take care of. Getting the right nutrients and a healthy, balanced diet is a large part of helping them to live as long as joyfully as they can. Caregiving can mean long hours and time away from your other family members, but it is worth knowing your mother or father is having their needs met. When it comes to meal planning and other duties, you can have a trained caregiver from a senior care service come in to help. If not every day, then a few times a week to give you some time to yourself, too.
Health Benefits of Kidney Beans
These beans are full of magnesium and potassium, as well as being high in fiber. They’ll keep blood pressure regular, and fight off any chances of heart disease. If your elderly parent is vegetarian, you’ll be happy to know that kidney beans are a good source of protein and iron which makes a perfect meat substitute. The red color of these beans mark them for what they are: highly concentrated disease-fighting food!
Here’s a great recipe for some vegetarian chili:
2 chopped green bell peppers
1 cup minced onion
3 minced garlic cloves
1 tbsp. extra virgin olive oil
1 can drained black beans (15 oz.)
1 can drained kidney beans (15 oz.)
1 cup chunky salsa (hot or mild)
2 cans diced tomatoes (28 oz. each)
1 cup frozen corn
2 cups meatless ground burger
2 tbsp. chili powder
½ tsp. cumin
¼ tsp. cayenne pepper
Shredded soy cheese for topping, optional
Here’s how you make it: take a large pot and sauté the peppers, onion and garlic in the olive oil for about 5 minutes. Add all other ingredients except cheese and bring it all to a boil. Reduce the heat, cover and simmer 30 minutes, stirring once in a while. Garnish with the cheese and serve over warm brown rice or tortilla chips.
Benefits of Beans in your Diet
This recipe isn’t just for vegetarians, and ingredients can be substituted; it’s hard to mess up a chili recipe. Are there any other vegetables or healthy add-ins your mother or father loves? If they aren’t too keen on having kidney beans, pairing this chili with other things they like might make it more appealing. This is a great meal to share with company and socialize over, because it makes big pot. Invite grandchildren and other relatives to visit your parent while planning and eating this meal. Here are a few other topping ideas besides cheese:
- Chopped avocado pieces
- Crushed corn chips
- Sliced black olives
- Green onions
- Spices, like some thyme or a little extra cayenne
- Sliced mushrooms
The caregivers at Great Care are available to talk with you and your family about all of your senior care needs. Great Care is an elder care agency providing quality and affordable senior care in Greenwood, IN and the surrounding areas. Call (317) 595-9933 for more information.
About Julie Sullivan
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