5 Best Summer Foods for Keeping Seniors Hydrated
Rising summer heat makes staying hydrated a challenge for many people, with the risk of dehydration being even higher for seniors, since they maintain lower fluid amounts than other adults. For that reason, in home senior care providers should incorporate foods with higher water content into their diets to maintain adequate hydration. Here are five seasonal foods that offer vital fluids and nutritional value.
How to Encourage Senior Hydration With Food
1. Watermelon
Watermelon has an incredibly high water content. In fact, a single cup of diced fruit offers 139 grams of water. Since it's easily eaten on its own, the fruit makes an excellent option for an afternoon or mid-morning snack. Its natural sweetness also makes it an ideal dessert.
2. Grapes
When packing snacks to-go, grapes are a perfect choice. The fruit can easily be eaten without utensils, and in home senior care providers can pack it into a container when heading to a doctor's appointment. They're also composed of 80–89% water. For a cooling boost on a hot day, freeze the grapes before heading out.
3. Cucumber
Aside from offering about 286 grams of water each, cucumbers are an incredibly versatile food. They can be sliced for use on sandwiches, added to a salad, or dipped in hummus. Or, use the gourd to create a gazpacho soup, which is served chilled—a great option for dinner on a hot summer evening.
4. Lettuce
Lettuce is affordable, nutritious, and hydrating, with a single cup of iceberg offering 54.5 grams of water. Since it's best served fresh, there's also not any worry about overheating when eating it as a salad on hot days. If eating with dentures or missing teeth, dice the veggies into small pieces to make them easier to chew.
5. Tomatoes
When serving up a big delicious salad, add a few tomatoes on top to boost hydration. The fruit is composed of 95% water when fully grown. Available in a variety of colors, sizes, and flavors, tomatoes are also packed with vitamin C—an immunity-boosting nutrient— and potassium, which promotes heart health.
Ensure your elderly loved ones are staying hydrated this summer with services from Harmony In-Home Healthcare Inc. The locally owned and operated home health company offers valuable assistance to seniors across the Greater St. Louis area. The in home senior care providers are dedicated to dependable and compassionate work, whether it's cooking meals, grocery shopping, or running errands. Visit them online for a complete list of services, or call (314) 752-4444 to request personalized elderly care.
