Thanksgiving’s coming up. This year, your dad’s dietary needs have changed. His doctor has him on a heart-healthy diet. Your family is worried about preparing all your family’s favorite Thanksgiving dishes. Does his new diet drastically change your Thanksgiving traditions?
Switch to Whole Grains
When making stuffing or rolls, use whole grains. Fiber is important, so whole grain rolls, bread, and stuffing are better for your dad. When you make stuffing, load it with vegetables. Onions and celery are standard, but consider adding shredded carrots, mushrooms, baby kale, or spinach.
Consider stuffings that aren’t traditional. Cornbread stuffing made with various peppers, including some chili peppers, and cumin is different.
Skip the Cream
Do you load up your mashed potatoes with heavy cream? There are vegan cream substitutes that avoid saturated fat while still offering the same level of creaminess. One of them uses pea protein and contains some fiber and potassium as an added benefit. You can also make gravy using these half-and-half substitutes.
Increase the Vegetable Sides
Add extra vegetable sides. Instead of making mashed potatoes, make mashed cauliflower. Scalloped turnips made with slices of low-fat cheddar are a great side. Roast Brussels sprouts with balsamic vinegar, nutmeg, and black pepper.
Skip Sugar Laden Desserts
Desserts don’t have to contain loads of added sugar or saturated fat. While any dessert will have natural sugar, you can limit it. Here’s a quick, easy dessert that is better than a traditional pie. Blend almonds, walnuts, and pecans, and mix in enough walnut oil to form a crumb mixture you can press into a pie pan.
Use the microwave to slowly melt 20 ounces of chocolate chips sweetened with stevia instead of sugar. Put a pound of silken tofu into a blender and pour the chocolate chips over it. Add a teaspoon of vanilla and blend until smooth. Pour that into the pie crust.
Make a healthier pumpkin pie using nonfat or skim evaporated milk. In place of whipped cream, serve it with a plant-based or low-fat whipping cream.
Fresh fruit is a great option. Make the same nut crust as earlier, and bake it until it’s just starting to brown. Top that with slices of banana. Then, drizzle the banana with melted dark chocolate. Finally, serve it with a plant-based ice cream made from frozen bananas and unsweetened almond milk that you puree together.
How close are you and other family members? Are you able to visit your dad weekly, or are your visits limited to holidays or when you can afford the plane tickets? He still needs to be supported. Companion care at home aides check on your dad regularly and offer the helping hand he needs.
Arrange companion care at home services for your dad. An advisor is happy to answer questions and help you learn more. Call now.
For more information about how caregivers at La Jolla Nurses Homecare can help your aging parents stay in their own homes, call 858-454-9339. We are a home care agency providing quality and affordable Companion Care at Home in La Jolla, CA, and the surrounding communities.
Today we are the oldest and most experienced private duty agency in San Diego County.She saw a need for quality private duty home health care and she worked diligently to build an agency that filled that need.I am proud to say, her vision is carried on today with our dedicated staff.
I believe our tenure in the community speaks well for us.We have had the opportunity to be of service to countless interesting individuals, including local and worldwide celebrities.It is the people we care for that makes this a fascinating industry.Whether high profile or a more ordinary citizen, we are proud that thousands have entrusted us with their care or the care of their loved ones.Our Mission is to provide high quality, very secure and the most compassionate home health care.We believe that patients heal faster and are happiest when they can stay in their homes.”
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