Brain-Healthy Food For Our Ohio Memory Care Residents

Did you know that the food we eat can help support our brain health? According to scientific research, there are particular foods that are good (and other foods that are not-so-good) for the brain and memory. At our Sunshine Retirement Living Memory Care Communities in Ohio, we place high importance on the food that our residents eat because we understand the impact it has on their health, energy, and happiness!

Our dietary approach is based on the MIND Diet (an appropriate name, we must say). This brain-healthy diet was thoroughly researched and developed at the Rush University Medical Center in Chicago and guides our weekly menus. The MIND Diet is not only proven to improve cognitive function, but it’s also a great diet to follow for improving one’s overall physical health (including cardiovascular and immune-boosting foods). Learning about and implementing the MIND Diet is an easy way to make a big impact on your loved one’s health.

Keep reading for some mindful meals to get creative with!

Breakfast

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day because it provides us with the energy we need to wake up and sustain our energy until lunchtime! A great rule of thumb when cooking with the MIND Diet is to incorporate nutritious vegetables in each meal. A loaded omelet is a filling, veggie-packed breakfast option that is both delicious and nutritious.

• Your veggie omelet can include vegetables high in nutrients like peppers, spinach, and broccoli. For sources of protein, be sure to add in some black beans, which are also high in fiber and rich in antioxidants. And of course, don’t forget the eggs!

Lunch

The beauty of the MIND Diet is its flexibility and the ability to follow it in moderation. That being said, there are endless possibilities of meals you can make following the MIND Diet guidelines of dos and dont’s. For lunch, a leafy green salad is a great meal that allows you to incorporate as many nutrients as possible with all the mindful ingredients! Try out this summer-inspired salad:

• Strawberry Spinach Salad
  • Fresh baby spinach
  • Sliced strawberries
  • Feta cheese (a great and healthier alternative to other cheeses)
  • Raw pecans
  • Red onion
  • Poppy seed dressing

Dinner

The last meal of the day should always be the best (in our expert opinion)! Though the MIND Diet advises limiting your intake of cheeses, cheese is a great treat to enjoy in moderation. With that being said, sometimes you deserve to end a healthy day of eating with some pizza! Combat the cheesy pie with some toppings of vegetables and proteins. One of our favorite combinations is broccoli and chicken on a cheese pizza–try it out!

Our last tip to keep in mind as you test your culinary skills for your loved one is to be sure to incorporate these healthy foods: leafy greens, whole vegetables, beans, nuts, chicken, and fish. When it comes to foods to avoid, stay away from high amounts of cheese, red meat, fried food, and sweets.

The flexibility of the MIND Diet leaves endless opportunities for culinary creativity, which is exactly what makes our Ohio Memory Care Communities so special. We truly care for your loved ones all the way down to the food they’re eating!

Contact our friendly team today to see for yourself or learn more about Retirement Living communities in Ohio.

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