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Learn How Important It is for Your Senior Parent’s Diets to Include Lots of Veggies?

Elderly Care near Manhasset, NY – Eat More Green Beans

We have always heard the same thing over and over, “Eat your vegetables, don’t eat lots of candy, etc.” Unfortunately, for those with a sweet tooth, those parents and doctors were correct. Eating vegetables has enormous health benefits and fill our bodies with the things it needs the most. If your senior parent has turned to sweets and is eating a less healthy diet, this can become a concern.

As our parents age, eating well is especially important because their bodies may be battling bone and muscles loss. One of these healthy vegetables are green beans. Green beans are great because they can be bought fresh, frozen, or canned without losing any of their nutritional value.

What Benefits do Green Beans Offer?

Eating green beans is a great way to add more veggies into your parent’s diet. They are cancer fighting and full of vitamins like all vegetables. Green beans also contain these body-boosting compounds:

  • Minerals – Green beans contain the mineral silicon, which is important for bone health and the growing of connective tissue.
  • Antioxidants – Like blueberries, green beans contain a wide-variety of antioxidants not commonly found in many vegetables and fruits. These antioxidants help fight free radicals and cancer causing cells in the body.
  • Carotenoids – Carrots and vegetables like green beans also contain carotenoids, healthy compounds to keep the body healthy.

How to Prepare and Eat Green Beans

Many experts recommend steaming green beans, as this will help hold in most of the essential nutrients. Vitamin K, fiber, and Vitamin C are some of the main ingredients found in green beans. If you do not like steamed vegetables, some other ways to prepare green beans are:

  • Sautéed with mushrooms or another vegetable with olive oil or butter
  • Served in a bean salad with other types of beans like kidney, garbanzo, and black beans
  • Cooked in a casserole

Green beans do contain a minor health concern common to many types of plant and animal products. Oxalates are naturally occurring substances which may concentrate in the body and cause problems depending on other health concerns. For example, those suffering from problems with their kidneys or gallbladder may have to avoid green beans. Oxalates can also interfere with the absorption of calcium in the body.

Fortunately, there is little risk of getting these health problems from green beans if you have a healthy digestive tract and are in relatively good health. Green beans are one of the many vegetables you can add to any diet to improve nutrition. As with any new food, eat in moderation. Having green beans a couple of times a week is a great way to start. You can talk to your parent’s doctor if you are uncertain about their health. It’s also a good idea to have an elderly care provider to come and cook for your senior parent. A professional caregiver will make a balanced and delicious meal plan.

If you or an aging loved one are in need of elderly care services near Manhasset, NY or the surrounding areas, contact the caring professionals at Star Multi Care Services today at (631)956-8835. We are the Right Choice for Home Health Care Services!

Providing Services to Floral Park, Great Neck, Manhasset, Rockville Center, Plainview, Huntington, Massapequa, Dix Hills, Northport, and Stonybrook

Stephen Sternbach

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