Elder Care Tips on the Benefits and Uses of Honey
August 29, 2023
Honey is a natural sweetener with essential nutrients like carbs, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. While honey has been used for generations in cooking, some seniors may be unfamiliar with it. With the help of the elder care team, seniors can add honey to their meal planning for a boost of concentrated energy. Continue reading to learn the benefits of honey and how to support its use with seniors.
Health Benefits of Honey
Honey has various health benefits, and since it is shelf stable, it's the perfect item to add to seniors' pantries.
- Boosts immunity: The vitamins in honey may help improve seniors' immune systems by attacking bacteria and keeping illnesses at bay.
- Soothes coughs and sore throats: Honey coats the throat, calming irritation and making coughing less painful. It can work as well as over-the-counter cough drops as a natural way to stop coughing.
- Digestive aids: As people get older, the digestive system changes, causing a myriad of issues. Honey has been known to help digestion because it has enzymes and antibacterial qualities.
- Energy booster: The natural sugars in honey give seniors a quick energy boost without increasing their blood sugar levels too quickly. This natural energy source can help seniors fight fatigue and focus better.
- First aid help: Honey has been used to heal wounds for hundreds of years because it kills germs and reduces swelling. It can help seniors with skin problems, bedsores, or small cuts and burns by reducing inflammation and speeding up the healing of damaged tissue.
Tips For Adding Honey to Seniors' Diets
There are many ways that honey can be introduced to seniors' diets. As a sweetener, honey can be used in tea, coffee, or drizzled over cereal, pancakes, or yogurt as a healthier option to refined sugar. This is especially important when seniors are told to reduce the amount of refined sugar in their diet. The elder care team can gently remind them to use honey throughout the day to transition to a healthier lifestyle.
Honey can also be a natural sweetener in many cooking and baking recipes. It can make sauces, dressings, marinades, and baked foods taste better. When using honey instead of sugar in a recipe, changing the amount of liquid and the cooking temperature is important. This is another area where having elder care assistance is good. Seniors and their elder care team can experiment with different variations, which provides seniors with socialization and gives them more confidence using honey on their own. Seniors can also make a healthy and energizing snack by adding honey to a mix of nuts, seeds, and dried vegetables. It's an easy way to get a quick boost of energy at any time of the day.
It's always a good idea for seniors to talk with their medical team before making any changes to their diet. This ensures there aren't any reactions to their medication or conditions they may have. They should also follow any storage tips when incorporating honey into their diet. With the support of the elder care team and loved ones, seniors can explore adding honey to their diets in a step toward better health and nutrition.
If you or your loved one is looking for Companion Care at Home in Palo Alto, CA, please call Familiar Surroundings Home Care.
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