You know that saying, “You are what you eat.”. And while you’d think eating a lot of greasy treats and junk food won’t benefit your body, there’s a pile of evidence showing it will negatively affect your overall health. That’s why we should start looking into improving our diets, especially senior citizens.
Smoothies can be a great meal replacement drinks for elderly with many health conditions affect the ability to take in foods and vitamins required for a healthy body. Smoothies are usually easy to drink and swallow without much effort, making it something they will be willing to drink.
Smoothie bars are highly recommended in senior living facilities, and here’s why.
Healthy Snack Alternative
Smoothies also have other benefits, such as being low-calorie and filling up the stomach and keeping hunger at bay.
- Low-calorie: Smoothies contain fewer calories than most foods. They also don’t require chewing, so they can be consumed by those who have difficulty chewing or swallowing.
- High fiber content: Smoothies contain fiber in the form of fruit pulp or vegetables. This helps to improve bowel movements, promote regularity and prevent constipation.
- Heart-healthy: Smoothies provide a good potassium source, which helps control blood pressure levels and reduce the risk of heart disease. They also contain beta-carotene, converted into vitamin A in the body, and help protect against certain types of cancer.
Good for Socialization
Many seniors find it challenging to leave the house and make friends with others their age. And when some smoothie bars host community events like wellness workshops or social gatherings, these events can be an excellent way for seniors to meet new people, make connections, and engage with their community. Smoothie bars also have a casual and laid-back atmosphere designed to encourage people to linger, chat, and interact unlike more formal settings, such as restaurants.
Suitable for Specific Health Concerns
Smoothies for elderly are especially beneficial if they have any of the following conditions:
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Diabetes or Insulin Resistance
Smoothies can be an easy way to increase your intake of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants — all important for preventing diabetes complications. The high fiber content of smoothies may also help reduce the glycemic index of foods eaten later in the day.
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Heart Disease and High Cholesterol
Smoothies that include antioxidant-rich fruits such as blueberries can help lower your risk of heart disease by reducing oxidative stress on healthy cells while maintaining healthy cholesterol levels.
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Gastrointestinal Problems Like Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
Smoothies with soluble fiber can help soothe digestive issues like bloating and constipation by adding bulk to stool, helping it pass through the intestines more quickly. However, people who have had bariatric surgery may need to avoid fiber supplements until they speak with their doctor first.
Unique Selling Point
When potential residents and their families are researching senior living facilities, they often look for amenities that make the facility stand out. A smoothie bar can be a unique and attractive feature that sets a facility apart from the competition. It demonstrates that the facility cares about the health and well-being of its residents, and is committed to providing a fun and engaging environment.
Furthermore, having a smoothie bar can attract younger family members of seniors who may be interested in a healthy and active lifestyle. Promoting the smoothie bar allows your senior living facilities to appeal to a wider range of potential residents and their families.
Relatively Easy to Implement and Manage
This is because smoothie bars require minimal equipment and staff and can often be integrated into the facility’s existing amenities without much disruption.
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Minimal Equipment
Smoothie bars require only essential equipment such as blenders, refrigerators, and storage containers, which are readily available and relatively inexpensive. This means the initial investment for setting up a smoothie bar is relatively low.
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Simple Menu
A smoothie bar can offer a simple menu of smoothie options, which can be easily prepared and customized based on the resident’s preferences and dietary needs. The menu can also be adjusted seasonally to incorporate fresh fruits and vegetables.
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Trained Staff
While a dedicated staff member can manage the smoothie bar, it can also be staffed by existing employees who receive basic training on making smoothies and maintaining the equipment. This means hiring additional staff members to operate the smoothie bar is unnecessary.
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Integration With Existing Products
Smoothie bars can be easily integrated into existing meal planning or diet programs to offer a convenient and healthy alternative to traditional meals.
Takeaway
Ultimately, the elderly have much to gain from regularly consuming green smoothies. They’re simple to make and easy to digest, plus they contain an abundance of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and phytonutrients that can do a world of good for your health. At the very least, it’s worth a try—and why not now?
About Bea
Bea is a copywriter specializing in adept research and creating all kinds of content. She’s all about getting creative, developing relationships, and contributing to making businesses succeed through her writing.
When she’s not writing (professionally), you can see her binge-watching RuPaul’s Drag Race or writing film reviews on Letterboxd.
