Regardless of your age, eating a nutrient-dense diet packed with fresh fruits and vegetables is the cornerstone of a healthy lifestyle. This is true whether you’re a young child or a senior citizen.

But, for a variety of reasons, many seniors simply don’t eat an adequate allotment of fresh fruits and veggies and in these cases, their diet can be working against their health. At The Marshes’ Savannah retirement communities, we take good health seriously, so here are nine easy ways to add more fruits and vegetables to your diet.

Smoothies

Smoothies are a great way to really amp up your fruit and veggie intake because you can add a bunch of them in a cold and refreshing drink. Just freeze your favorite fruits and toss them in the blender in the morning along with some spinach, kale, or other leafy greens. You can even add Greek yogurt for a splash of protein and gut-healing probiotics.

Portion Control

Every time you sit down to eat a meal, half of your plate should be taken up by vegetables and/or fruits. The other half should be comprised of whole grains and proteins.

Try Vegan Alternatives

Research shows us that red meat isn’t the healthiest option, especially for seniors. But, there are plenty of vegan alternatives out there that will give you the protein you need without compromising flavor. You can even head to your local library and take out a vegan cookbook for a wealth of tasty recipes.

Stock Up on Frozen and Canned Fruits and Vegetables

Fresh fruits and veggies are best, but when you’re in a pinch frozen or canned varieties are better than nothing. So, stock up your freezer and cupboards with your favorite fruits and vegetables so you always have at least something on hand for dinner.

Replace Your Salty Snacks

Salty snacks are tasty, but they’re also addictive and too much salt can be dangerous. So, replace your salty snacks with crunchy fruits like apples, pears, celery sticks, carrots, and red bell peppers. Your crunch craving will be cured and you can eat as much as you want.

Try Something Different

If you’re having a big bowl of spaghetti for dinner, swap out the pasta noodles with spaghetti squash. If you’re making pizza, replace the usual dough with a cauliflower or broccoli crust. There are dozens of ways you can transform your favorite dishes into something healthier using vegetables, so why not try it?

Up the Color

A colorful plate of fruits and vegetables is not only visually appealing, it’s packed full of beneficial antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals. So, heap your plate full of red, blue, purple, orange, and yellow foods and you’ll eat more and keep yourself healthy at the same time.

Have Fruit for Dessert

If you like having something sweet after dinner, don’t go for the ice cream, cookies, or cakes. Instead, have a bowl of grapes, some apple slices, or make frozen popsicles using fresh juice.

Add Fruits and Vegetables When Necessary

If you’re eating a microwavable dinner, it’s not exactly the healthiest thing for you, especially because it hardly contains any vegetables. So, when you’re in a pinch and you’re stuck having a less than healthy dinner, supplement the meal by adding fresh fruits and vegetables to your plate. Remember, you can never eat too many fresh vegetables, so stock up!

Schedule Your Visit to The Marshes’ Savannah Retirement Communities

If you’re getting ready to retire, then now is the perfect time to schedule a visit to The Marshes of Skidaway Island, one of the most luxurious Savannah retirement communities. At the Marshes of Skidaway Island, our community is dedicated to helping you live the best life possible. And, that commitment is seen in everything we do, from the menus in our dining halls to the programs we offer our members.

If you’re interested in visiting our Savannah retirement community, simply give us a call today at 1-800-889-6238 to schedule a visit. We look forward to seeing you!