A glowing fire warms heart and home, friends and family gather to celebrate holiday traditions, and a delicious spread fills the table. One of the best parts of family get-togethers is getting to share a meal with your loved ones. Feeding a family is one of the many delights of the golden years. Still, many older adults don’t want to spend all day in the kitchen. Instead, they often wish for recipes that are easy and budget-friendly. So we’ve compiled a list of simple, nutritious covered dishes Senior Citizens can bring for the holidays.
What dishes are healthy for the elderly?
Senior Citizens need food rich in dietary fiber, vitamins, and antioxidants. Some older adults have dietary restrictions such as low-sodium or diabetic diets. Good and healthy dishes include nutrient-dense foods such as fruits, vegetables, nuts, and oats. When getting together for the holidays, be sure to include healthy options for your loved ones.
3 Covered Dishes Senior Citizens can Bring for the Holidays
1. Cranberry-Almond Broccoli Slaw
This potluck favorite is packed with nutrients and dietary fiber. Broccoli is rich in calcium and Vitamin K. Cranberries are high in fiber, vitamins, and minerals. The almonds add protein and healthy fat.
Ingredients
Dressing
- 1/3 cup mayonnaise
- 3 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
- 2 tablespoons honey
Salad
- 2 (12-ounce) bags of broccoli slaw
- 1 cup dried cranberries
- 1 cup sliced almonds
- 1 cup crumbled feta cheese
Directions
- Mix dressing ingredients in a blender until combined.
- Toss salad ingredients together.
- Add dressing right before serving.
2. Greek Yogurt Orange Fluff
Orange fluff gets better as the flavors meld so it’s a great recipe to make the night before. Greek yogurt provides lean protein and probiotics. Plus, the canned fruit gives the dish natural sweetness along with Vitamin C and other nutrients.
Ingredients
- 3 cups nonfat plain Greek yogurt
- 1 package sugar-free orange Jello
- 1 cup whipped topping
- 1 (15-ounce) can of mandarin oranges, drained
- 1 (20-oz) can crushed pineapple, drained
- 1 cup mini marshmallows
Directions
- Whip the nonfat Greek yogurt with the whisk attachment of an electric mixer until light and fluffy.
- Add the Jello and mix until fully blended.
- Stir in whipped topping.
- Stir in mandarin oranges and crushed pineapple.
- Fold in mini marshmallows.
- Cover and refrigerate for at least one hour before serving.
3. Pecan Sweet Potato Casserole
Sweet potatoes are high in beta carotene, Vitamin C, and potassium. Oats give the dish added fiber. Plus, the pecans provide healthy fats along with essential vitamins and minerals. Bear in mind, this recipe takes a little longer to make because you need to bake the sweet potatoes and then let them cool. You can prepare the sweet potatoes the night before to make things easier. In a pinch, you can substitute 1 (29-ounce) can of yams, drained.
Ingredients
Base
- 3 large sweet potatoes, cooked, peeled, and mashed
- 1 egg
- 1/4 cup maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Topping
- 3/4 cup rolled oats
- 3/4 cup pecans, chopped small
- 1/2 cup oat flour
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 3 tablespoons melted butter
- 1/4 cup maple syrup
Directions
- Bake the sweet potatoes—Preheat the oven to 425 degrees, poke holes in sweet potatoes with a fork, bake for 45 minutes to 1 hour until completely soft.
- Let the sweet potatoes cool completely, and then remove the skins.
- Place the base ingredients into a food processor and blend until smooth.
- In a separate bowl, mix the topping ingredients.
- Pour the sweet potato mixture into a 3-quart baking dish.
- Cover with a flat layer of the topping mixture.
- Bake at 350 degrees for 45-50 minutes until golden brown.
Cooking Help for Seniors
As we get older, activities of daily living like cooking and shopping become harder. At Anita’s Angels, Inc., we provide flexible in-home care at affordable prices. When it comes to covered dishes Senior Citizens can bring for the holidays, our Certified Homemaker-Home Health Aides (CHHHAs) can assist with cooking, shopping, grooming, and so much more. Give us a call at 908-788-9390.
