Indulging with Nutrition

We all know how important it is to follow a wonderfully healthy eating plan, for that feeling of vitality and zest for life, but all too often we fall off the wagon with that incredible indulgence that leaves us feeling rather guilty and naughty.

Well here is a healthy recipe which should whet that appetite for something scrumptious, without leaving that `low’ feeling afterwards at having let ourselves down for wanting something really different and delicious.

200g butter , softened

200g Nature’s Choice Fructose

4 free-range eggs

75g Nature’s Choice Almonds –ground finely

100g Nature’s Choice Gluten Free Self Raising Flour

250g mashed potatoes zest 3 lemons

2 tsp Nature’s Choice Baking powder

Drizzle: 5 tbsp Nature’s Choice Fructose juice of 3 lemons

Heat oven to 180°C.

Butter and line a deep, 20cm round cake tin.

Beat the fructose and butter together until light and fluffy, then gradually add the egg, beating after each addition.

Fold in the GF Self Raising Flour, almonds, cold mashed potato, lemon zest and baking powder.

Tip into the tin (or jumbo muffin tins for individual cakes) level the top, then bake for 40-45 mins or until golden and a skewer inserted into the middle of the cake comes out clean.

Turn out onto a wire rack after 10 minutes cooling.

Bring the fructose and the lemon juice to the boil and simmer for 2 minutes, then spoon over the top of the cake, letting it drip down the sides.

Let the cake cool completely before slicing.

Meals on Wheels provide cooked meals to those elderly people who do not have the resources to prepare meals for themselves.

Good Nutrition for Seniors

As we age certain obstacles arise which sometimes affect the way we eat, and with certain health and emotional issues, and not quite the same zest for life, we are inclined to neglect the importance of healthy nutrition. The metabolism starts to slow down at the age of forty, and unwanted and unhealthy weight gain can be experienced.

As we age so does the activity level drop, that along with a less functional metabolism, calories are not burned as efficiently as in earlier years.

On the other hand one`s appetite and taste as well as sense of smell diminishes as the years follow and one could experience loss of appetite.

One creates less saliva and stomach acid due to changes in the digestive system, which makes it more difficult for the body to process certain minerals and vitamins which are necessary for mental health and circulation.

Eating well in your Senior Years should be a priority :

One should eat fresh fruit and vegetables, some of which should be eaten raw to provide you with vitamins and minerals, fibre and enzymes to aid digestion.

A source of good carbohydrates like whole wheat bread, brown rice and rolled oats should be consumed as opposed to refined white bread and rice etc.

When vegetables are steamed or lightly sauted it is the best way to preserve the nutrients.

Protein should be lean, which includes turkey or chicken without the skin, grilled or baked fish, eggs, beans, peas, nuts and tofu. Red meats should be eaten in moderation as they contain saturated fat, and salty meats such as bacon should be avoided as much as possible.

We should remember that healthy eating need not be rigid, we all go off course sometimes, and one does not have to be perfect, but moderation and balance is the key. Even if you work slowly towards setting yourself up for a successful way of eating, rather than making a dramatic change all at once. Plan ahead, and educate yourself on how to eat and embark on the journey to preventing illnesses such as cancer, diabetes, heart disease, alzheimers`s and watch how your energy levels improve and how much better you will feel for it. It certainly is worth the effort, and if you adopt the right attitude towards good eating patterns, it can become a rather interesting and exciting project.

No matter what your age, you can gradually make small changes to your diet and work towards reaping long term rewards. Allow yourself to have the foods you enjoy, with the occasional off-course treat.

Meals on Wheels provide for seniors who do not have the resources to cook for themselves.