What canned soups and stews or other similar items should I buy for 85 year old woman?!
unless her Dr has given her a diet.
What does SHE want ..!!!
I would tell you robust and hearty foods, stews and chowders
Answers: At 85, there should be no need to worry about salt and fat
unless her Dr has given her a diet.
What does SHE want ..!!!
I would tell you robust and hearty foods, stews and chowders
I think first and foremost they need to be low sodium. Maybe not alot of red meat or high cholesterol things. Minestone would be good, so would chicken noodle. Also maybe a soup with high fiber.
It depends on if she is on a special diet? Get her what she likes and is easily digested.
That depends on the diet recommended by her physician and what types of medications she is taking, if any. But at 85 she more than likely is. Some are on low sodium diets and some are on low sugar, higher fiber ones. It also depends on if weight loss or weight gain is an issue.
Working for Dr, I see many health issues in the elderly that dictate what type of foods they should consume. For example, if they get swelling in their legs, hands, feet, etc, they are usually on a medication called lasix, which indicates they shouldn't consume that much sodium. Many with weight loss, are encouraged to drink Ensure.
It is best to make a brief appointment with her family physician to inquire about her nutritional needs. If she sees the same Dr regularly, he/she will know her medications and what is best for her or if she has special requirements, may send her to a nutritionist for a dietary plan. If it's a new MD, take a list of the meds, dosages and frequency with you to the appointment and any past medical history.
Good luck!
Before my aunt passed awy in her late 80's, she wanted the drink called Ensure. She had a difficult time swallowing, so the hi protein drink substituted for a meal for her.
Find out a little more about her own health issues. Some people should avoid fat, but salt is OK; others the opposite. And all canned soups & stews rely on salt & fat to provide flavor and hide the "canny" flavor.
Read the nutritional info, try to get things with high vitamin and calcium. Some easy food (think ramen noodle soup) have no more nutritional value than a paper towel.
Look into canned meats too - chicken, tuna, etc. They will have less chemical additives. Canned vegetables, but again look at the salt content.
First, make sure she is not on a sodium-restricted diet because canned soups and stews are very salty. There are some lower salt versions but they just don't taste very good. Canning alters the flavor and without the extra salt it can taste gross.
Often it's advisable to eat low sodium, but also recognized that elderly peope won't eat at all if they can't have convenience foods. So it's a trade-off.
Go for soups that have beans. Minestrone, navy bean soup, black bean soup. Beans are high in protein, fiber and potassium (very good for elderly people). These soups are substantial enough for a meal.
The most important thing is to find out what she likes. Again, elderlly people often fail to eat enough. If she doesn't like it, she won't eat it.
progresso is the best canned soup
I would say get the low soudium, low fat varieties. But if she has swallowing problems, get the smooth cream types or the consomme types without chunks to avoid a choking hazard. Better consult her physcician for specific dietary requirements.
Tip: You can make big batches of broth that is better than canned. They keep well in the freezer and for variety, you can add other ingredients when you serve
NO!!! Make your own, or go find a place that does. I took care of my Mom, canned has to much sodium, etc.