How to Make Comfort Food Healthy

Posted by Scott Cantin in caregiving tips, Senior Health | 0 comments

There’s nothing like sitting down to a meal where all your favorite comfort foods are spread out on the table. Whether your preferred comfort food is a big plate of mac and cheese, a thick slab of lasagna, or a gooey grilled cheese sandwich, comfort food is a way to bring a little bit of joy to your day. However, the issue is that comfort food is rarely healthy, and eating it too often can be harmful. 

Here at Advancare, your Miami Florida senior home care service, our team of caregivers understand the appeal of comfort food. As part of our meal planning and preparation service, we aim to make tasty comfort food that is also healthy. Here are some tips. 

Looking for Meal Planning and Preparation For Your Senior Loved One?

Contact Advancare to learn more about our senior meal planning and preparation services. 

What’s the Healthiest Comfort Food?

Though comfort food has the stigma of being unhealthy and full of saturated fat and sugars, not all comfort food has to be this way. Our team of senior caregivers has plenty of experience in creating healthier versions of classic comfort foods and identifying tasty foods that are also healthy. Here are a few suggestions for healthier alternatives to popular comfort foods.

• Black bean sweet potato enchiladas: Instead of using fatty ground beef, consider healthier sweet potatoes as a filling for enchiladas. 

• Vegetable fried rice: Classic fried rice can be made healthier by adding an extra heaping of fresh veggies, such as green beans, eggplant, and kale. 

• Lentil baked ziti: Baked pasta is always a comfort food favorite, and this version is filled with healthy and filling lentils. 

• Kale pesto pizza: Pizza can be made into healthy comfort food with the addition of kale and fresh pesto. 

• Roasted butternut squash risotto: Risotto can be eaten for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. For this version, use healthy roasted butternut squash with generous handfuls of spinach. 

• Vegetarian tacos: Instead of using beef or pork, fill tortillas with fresh vegetables and avocados. 

• Balsamic roasted broccoli and red pepper grilled cheese: This version of classic grilled cheese ups the healthy factor by substituting veggie broth for oil and vegan cheese for unhealthy regular cheese. 

Everything in Moderation!

Now, just because most classic comfort food isn’t the most nutritious doesn’t mean that it should always be avoided. Anything can be enjoyed in moderation, and to keep a homebound senior satisfied and happy, comfort foods are a big help. Just be sure not to eat fat-filled comfort foods every day, and consider using the above recipes for healthier versions of classic comfort foods. 

Meal Planning and Prep in the Miami Area

Meal planning and preparation for the elderly is one of the many in-home senior care services offered by Advancare. Our certified and experienced caregivers take the time to get to know each senior we work with to prepare them healthy meals that match their taste preferences. We also are sure to take into consideration factors like dietary restrictions, nutritional goals, and genetic factors that may affect health. 

Contact Advancare at 305-441-9794 to learn more about our meal planning services.