4 Healthy Swaps to Serve Patients and Seniors
Special Focus on Longevity
Americans are living longer, and that’s reason to celebrate. With longevity comes a renewed focus on the day-to-day practices and diets that promote healthy aging and keep quality of life at its strongest. Such a food-as-medicine approach has long been employed by dietitians, chefs, and foodservice directors at healthcare and senior living facilities who work every day to nourish their communities.
BBC Science recently published an article that highlights key science-based tenets of an anti-aging diet. Diners of all ages benefit from this well-rounded and life-giving approach to eating. Here are some of the scientifically-backed ingredients and approaches worth exploring.
What Are the Most Important Diet Decisions for Longevity?
The key takeaways from the article reinforce what dietitians and healthcare foodservice directors have long known:
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Serve More Protein, but Not Just Any Protein!
Not all protein is created equal. The article notes that some high-protein diets can may actually speed up the aging process and increase the risk of certain cancers. (Though higher protein is important for those over 65.)
Confusing? It’s complicated, but it’s becoming clear that digestible plant proteins from legumes, soy, and seeds (like SunButter®!) – versus red meat – are associated with longevity. -
Serve More Vegetables
Help those you serve feast first with their eyes: Bright, vibrant, and fresh fruits and veggies, that is. -
Serve the Right Amount
Satiating foods like SunButter® Sunflower Seed Butter help residents, patients, and guests eat the right amount to maintain a healthy weight.
Featured Recipe to Boost Plant-Based Protein and Veggies:
Sweet Potato Hummus with SunButter®
Two favorite plant-based proteins are better than one! Try a colorful take on hummus, where chickpeas are blended with SunButter® Sunflower Seed Butter, sweet potatoes, oranges, soy sauce, and warm spices. Pair it with a colorful assortment of seasonal veggies.
Top 4 Compounds for Longevity
And How to Menu Them
Let’s look at four specific nutrients and naturally occurring compounds that are getting attention for their role in enhancing quality of life well into our golden years. All of them pair perfectly with SunButter®.
SunButter® Red Curry Coconut Soup
1. Curcumin
What is it? The compound that gives turmeric its bright golden color, known for anti-inflammatory effects
What foods have it? Turmeric
Sunny ways to serve it:
SunButter® Red Curry Coconut Soup: Turmeric-rich red curry and creamy SunButter® enhance this veggie-forward and heartwarming soup.
SunButter® Toasties
2. Spermidine
What is it? A polyamine that may slow down aging and promote healthy longevity
What foods have it? Soybeans, mushrooms, cheddar cheese
Sunny ways to serve it:
Grain bowls: Layer on build-your-own options that include SunButter® dressing, mushrooms, and tofu
SunButter® Toasties: Grilled Cheeses with SunButter® and jammy onions or fig on ancient-grain sourdough bread pack way more nutrition than your typical white-bread-and-cheese.
Charred Corn Coleslaw With SunButter® Lime Dressing
Roasted Broccoli SunButter® Coleslaw
SunButter® Oatmeal Scones
SunButter® Harvest Granola Bars
3. Quercetin
What is it? A flavonoid that research suggests can help clear out old cells
What foods have it? Elderberries, red cabbage, and dark chocolate
Sunny ways to serve it:
SunButter® Harvest Granola Bars: Add extra dark chocolate chips to boost mood and longevity.
SunButter® Oatmeal Scones: Mix in extra dark chocolate chips, dried fruits, and serve with elderberry jam.
Charred Corn Coleslaw With SunButter® Lime Dressing: Make it with red cabbage!
Roasted Broccoli SunButter® Coleslaw: Bright and vibrant with red cabbage, edamame, roasted broccoli, and fresno chilies. Toss this slaw with a flavorful SunButter® dressing full of chili, garlic, and lime.
4. Fisetin
What is it? Another flavonoid that research suggests can help clear out old cells
What foods have it? Fruits such as strawberries
Sunny ways to serve it:
SunButter® Overnight Oats: Top creamy, hearty oats, mixed overnight with yogurt, with fresh strawberries, a drizzle of SunButter® sunflower seed butter, and strawberry jam.
Nutrient Rich and Easy to Digest
Each serving of SunButter® Sunflower Seed Butter contains 6-7g plant-based protein, a good source of fiber, and healthy fats. It has more micronutrients than peanut butter, including vitamin B6, magnesium, phosphorus, copper, and manganese. Sunflower seed butter is also lower in saturated fat than peanut butter and easier to digest.
Need more inspiration for life-boosting menus?
Download our Healthy Menu Guide for Healthcare and Senior Living to see how easy it is to power up senior living menus with the allergy-friendly, nutrient-rich sunflower super seed.
