Q. I’m a very concerned daughter writing for advice about her older parents. My parents, in their mid-70s, have significantly changed their eating habits over the last few years. They used to eat a variety of fruits and vegetables. Recently, I’ve noticed that their plates are usually filled with carbohydrates and red meat, with very little else. My dad loves bananas, and my mom enjoys potatoes in all forms. Yet, aside from an occasional carrot stick, they eat at my house, I don’t think they’re eating much variety of produce. I’m concerned about their health and waistlines, as they’ve put on weight in the last few years. I feel like now I’m the parent, and my parents are the kids. How can I get them to eat more fruit and vegetables?
A. It is ironic, isn’t it, that our parents may eventually need our help to ensure they stay safe and healthy. Most adult children think their parents will need help with personal care as they age. Few adult children think about their parents’ nutritional intake and how their diet affects their overall health.
Your parents are fortunate to have such an observant daughter. Nutrition matters, even in older age. Here are a few tips to help you encourage your parents to eat more fruit and vegetables to make every bite count.
Ask your parents why they haven’t been eating more fruit and vegetables. Their tastes may have changed, or some produce has become too difficult to chew. Once you know why they aren’t eating more produce, you can work with them to find a solution.
One way to eat more fruit and vegetables is to make them more visible. Leave room-temperature produce on their kitchen counters instead of tucked away in their pantry. Place refrigerated produce in clear containers at eye level. When your parents open the door, they’ll see fresh fruit or vegetables and be reminded to snack on them.
Fruits and vegetables taste the best when it’s their season. They’ll naturally want to eat more slices of a peach or a few more strawberries when those fruits are at their peak. If your parents’ tastebuds have changed, teach them how to eat produce according to season. An easy way to shop for in-season produce is to purchase what’s on sale at the grocery store. Local farmer’s markets also sell seasonal produce. Take a trip to a farmer’s market with your parents to whet their appetite for fresh produce.
Another easy way for your parents to eat more fruit and vegetables is to add produce to their favorite dishes. Teach them how to add more fruit or vegetables to meals they already enjoy. For example, they can add a handful of berries to a bowl of yogurt or top their sandwich with sliced avocado. Chopped peppers can be added to pasta sauces, and the sky’s the limit when it comes to using produce as pizza toppings.
The last way to eat more fruits and vegetables is to blend them into a smoothie. Buy a blender for your parents and teach them simple recipes that call for fruits and vegetables. Look up recipes on the internet or buy them a smoothie recipe book. Help them keep their freezer stocked with frozen berries they can toss into their smoothies.
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