Best Foods for a Healthy Liver

Posted in Healthy Habits, Meals and Nutrition |

October 17, 2022

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October is National Liver Awareness Month. So, this month, help your parent have better liver health by simply adding some key foods to her diet. You can easily create a shopping list that your parent’s companion care at home team can use to shop with and then prepare meals with. If your parent likes to prepare her own meals, her companion care at home provider can help her prep the food, or perhaps even find some new recipes to try.

Companion Care at Home Abbeville AL - Best Foods for a Healthy Liver

Companion Care at Home Abbeville AL – Best Foods for a Healthy Liver

The liver is the second largest organ in the body and is crucial to keeping the body functioning well. It does more than just filter the liquor we drink. As the blood leaves the stomach and intestines, it passes through the liver. The liver’s job is to process this blood and break it down. It balances and creates nutrients and also metabolizes drugs into forms that are easier to use for the rest of the body or that are nontoxic.

Let’s look at five different foods to add to the shopping list for better liver health:

Garlic. One of the best foods for a healthy liver is garlic. It’s full of allicin and selenium, which help cleanse the liver and promote good health. And garlic can be added to many recipes making it one of the best sources of flavor.

Fresh lemons. Lemons have both high levels of vitamin C and antioxidants, making them great for increasing liver health. While your parent is not going to want to sit and eat up a fresh lemon (the acid is hard on the stomach, not to mention the palate), adding some freshly squeezed lemon to water each day can be a great way to get what she needs. Have your companion care at home provider slice up some lemons and put them in a pitcher of water in the fridge for a nice refreshing drink that’s also very healthy.

Carrots and beets. These root vegetables are great for liver health. The beta-carotene they contain helps the liver function well. They also help remove toxins from the body.

Green tea. The next time your parent is thirsty (and she’s had all of her lemon water), offer her a glass of green tea. Green tea is rich in vitamin E and antioxidants, which help increase the ability of the liver to function. Drink it hot or drink it cold, and it does wonders for the body.

Kale. Your parent may not be very familiar with kale, as it has gained popularity only in the past couple of decades. But kale is a super food that is fiber, antioxidants, and chlorophyll. It does an amazing job of removing toxins from the blood, especially those caused by the environment. It can also neutralize unhealthy chemicals in the blood. Your companion care at home provider may know the perfect recipe to create a delicious kale smoothie for your parent to enjoy for breakfast to start her day off right.

What we eat is important to how our body functions so keep these five foods and drinks in mind when trying to help the liver maintain optimal health.

If you or an aging loved one are considering hiring Companion Care at Home Services in Abbeville AL, please contact the caring staff at Wiregrass HomeCare today. Call us at 334-539-5900

Health Goals for Every Senior

Posted in Healthy Habits, Meals and Nutrition |

September 19, 2022

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As a new year starts in a few months, it’s time to reflect on the past and look forward. Unfortunately, such introspection often culminates in lofty, doomed-to-fail new year’s goals. Goals are usually focused on changing bad habits or eliminating something harmful. Instead of focusing on what you should ditch, shift your attention to what you might include in your routine to improve your health. Even if you or your loved one needs help from someone like an in-home care provider, it is crucial to start setting goals.

In-Home Care Geneva AL - Health Goals for Every Senior

In-Home Care Geneva AL – Health Goals for Every Senior

No matter how old someone gets, they should always strive for something. This is why a senior must focus on goals; it will give them something to work for and to look forward to. In-home care is something that all seniors can have, especially if your mom or dad wants to age in place but still work on goals.

Whether or not an in-home care aide is involved, here are a few goals they can strive for.

Be Body Positive Even as a Senior

Consider the impact of your self-talk. Reframing your ideas and language may modify your incentive for making healthy choices. That’s why it’s essential to start the new year out with a more body-positive mindset. Try rephrasing, “I’m going for a stroll because it makes me feel wonderful,” instead of “I’m going for a walk to burn off last night’s food.”

Try Cooking More Homemade Meals with In-Home Care Assistance

Sometimes seniors become out of habit with cooking because it is too hard for them. This causes them to eat take-out more or a ton of packaged foods. In-home care aides may help them cook more homemade meals. If your senior isn’t a fan of shopping anymore, they may find companies that can help deliver them groceries.

Always Buy Fresh Produce When You Can

A common goal for the new year is to reduce one’s intake of sugar and salt. It’s a good idea to concentrate on adding healthy meals to your diet before you worry about eliminating unhealthy ones. Fresh fruit and vegetables are an excellent way to increase your vitamin intake and strengthen your immune system. You may get more vegetables in your diet by slicing bananas and eating them with breakfast cereal, making a salad to accompany lunch, and mixing tomatoes and peas into your supper spaghetti. The cumulative effect of these seemingly little alterations is substantial.

Focus on Drinking More Water as a Senior

You probably know that being well hydrated is essential, yet it may be challenging to consume enough water. Add 16 ounces to your current water intake since this is the quantity contained in a normal water bottle. A good practice is having a large glass of water first thing in the morning and another just before supper. In place of one daily serving of juice, soda, or sweet tea, try substituting plain water. Reduce your water intake before bed to cut down on nighttime bathroom trips.

Create an Exercise Routine

Regular exercise is a must for overall health. The American Heart Association suggests that adults engage in 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity each week. There is plenty that you can do, even if you are an older adult. Although you should see your doctor before beginning any new workout program, you might give the following a try until you discover what works best for you. Walking, yoga, and water aerobics are great exercises for seniors to add to a routine.

If you or an aging loved one are considering hiring In-Home Care Services in Geneva AL, please contact the caring staff at Wiregrass HomeCare today. Call us at 334-539-5900