Winter, the coldest season of the year, the start of various holidays, and the ideal time for family gatherings, is finally here.
Speaking of the winter months, people will think of a lovely time to curl up indoors with an excellent book and warm tea. But winter is also a perfect and ideal time for spending hours in the kitchen preparing the tastiest, most gratifying, and healthiest cold-weather dishes. This winter can be truly delightful, especially with warm, delectable meals for your beloved family members.
To commemorate the arrival of winter, we’ve compiled a list of lovely, nutritious winter recipes for your parents and other beloved family members.
Recipes Your Elderly Family Members Will Enjoy During Cold Months
Chicken Vegetable Soup
Soup has healing power and a mild anti-inflammatory effect for easing cold symptoms, fevers, and other sicknesses. Also, soups keep you warm, help you stay hydrated, and strengthen your immune system. Even if your parents aren’t sick, you should try making them one of the numerous simple and healthy comfort foods, like this traditional chicken soup.
Each ingredient genuinely contains helpful nutrients with distinct health benefits.
- Bone stock/ bone broth. This flavorful liquid is an excellent source of vitamins and minerals, omega-3 fatty acids, zinc, and other nutrients. Moreover, bone broth is also rich in protein, collagen, and certain minerals that help with bone and joint health, promote weight loss and improve hair, skin, and nails. All these nutrients work together to give your body more power to fight the strong winter breezes.
- Chicken. The two major concerns for senior citizens are how to preserve muscle mass while consuming healthy fats only. Surprisingly, chicken is a protein source that can address both of them. More importantly, another benefit chicken brings to the soup is high quantities of tryptophan. Our mood will likely improve due to the higher natural serotonin production in the body. And this might explain why chicken noodle soup is a popular comfort dish.
- Vegetables. These are a big package of positive punch. Vitamins C and K, other antioxidants and minerals, can be found in veggies such as carrots, celery, and onions. This aids in developing a robust immune system to fend off viruses and speeds up the healing process after an illness.
- Noodles. This is an optional ingredient. But, if included, noodles offer carbohydrates that easily make your parents feel full. Since noodles provide a high amount of carbohydrates, our body’s preferred energy source, we may feel less sluggish and more energetic if we consume more.
Chickpea Curry Served with Bread
If your parents follow a vegan lifestyle, this curry recipe is an ideal choice. With its emphasis on vegetables and flavorful seasonings, Indian food is frequently the perfect solution for an evening meal during cold weather.
Chickpeas have a low glycemic index, which helps your body absorb and digest them slowly. They also include amylose, a form of starch that boosts slow digestion. Both contribute to preventing an excessive rise in insulin and blood sugar levels. Seniors with diabetes will significantly benefit from this ingredient.
Follow this recipe to make a delicious chickpea curry for your family members. Remember to skip the cheesy bread if your seniors are vegan. Instead, use a vegan cheese substitute to top off this delectable vegan recipe.
Lentil Quinoa Soup
Lentils are a solid low-fat source of protein. They can provide the same protein level as meat when combined with a healthy grain like quinoa.
Fiber, abundant in lentils, can decrease cholesterol levels and prevent diabetes or colon cancer. In addition, a daily fiber intake boosts your digestive system while also fending off constipation.
In addition, lentil quinoa soup is simple to prepare and may be kept in the refrigerator for later use. Our simple nurturing soup recipe is easy to put together and made with simple ingredients, such as red lentils, quinoa, carrots, sweet potatoes, yams, parsnips, and celery root.
Set up an instant pot, then add chili for a little kick of heat. (You can skip the chili if your family members are not huge fans of spicy foods). Cook all of the ingredients in the instant pot for 5 minutes. Finally, serve it with fresh herbs, like cilantro, mint, or parsley. A swirl of yogurt or a drizzle of olive oil will intensify the flavor if you want extra richness.
Lasagna
Nothing beats fresh lasagna that has just come from the oven on a cold winter night. However, you might want to encourage your senior to consume a healthier and more nutrient-dense version rather than opting for a frozen, prepared option.
Vegetables are a reliable source of nutrients. Although lasagna already contains some vegetables, you may want to add more. Consider adding spinach, mushrooms, or even chopped carrots. Any veggies that your elderly family enjoys can bump up the nutritional value of your dish.
Traditionally, lasagna is a combination of veggies and ground beef. However, you can substitute beef with other ground proteins, such as turkey or chicken. This adjustment reduces the amount of red meat in a healthier diet while maintaining high protein levels and providing proper nutrients.
Glazed Salmon
The American Heart Association (AHA) has recommended patients with cardiovascular disease consume more omega-3s, which are abundant in salmon, as an example, to prevent cardiovascular incidents, including heart attacks, strokes, and heart failure. Moreover, omega-3 fatty acids can help reduce inflammation and support brain health.
Our savory-sweet garlicky salmon recipe will never disappoint your family throughout the colder months, especially during special occasions like Christmas or Thanksgiving.
A delicious, holiday-themed salmon dish will look spectacular on your family table when you know how to make it right.
- Mix the honey, soy sauce, lemon juice, and red pepper flakes in a bowl.
- Heat two teaspoons of olive oil in a large skillet pan. Then, add salmon skin-side up when the oil is heating.
- Season the salmon with salt and pepper.
- Cook the salmon for about 6 minutes or until it turns a rich golden color. Flip over and add one more tablespoon of oil.
- Add the garlic and simmer for one minute or until you smell the fragrance.
- Add the honey mixture and sliced lemons. Heat it until the sauce has been cut in half or so. Remember to baste salmon with the sauce.
- Serve the dish with white rice or stir-fried asparagus.
What Does Nutrition Look Like at 12 Oaks?
12 Oaks managed Senior Communities provide comfort for your elderly family members with a devoted team and chef-designed nutritional meals. Our team stays up to date on the latest dietary health facts. Your family is our top concern. In our communities, we go above and beyond to personalize daily living to each individual’s requirements.
If you have questions about cold weather food or any topics discussed here, connect with us and learn more.
At 12 Oaks, our team of caring professionals is dedicated to keeping residents safe, engaged, and connected to their families and friends while leading fulfilling lives. 12 Oaks senior living communities are an ideal place to enjoy the encore season of life.
For questions or to schedule a personalized tour, don’t hesitate to contact us.
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