Foods that Heal - Part 2

Food, that vital part of our daily lives we simply can’t live without!  I’m pretty sure you’re already well aware of that basic tidbit of knowledge.  Not long after we awaken from our nightly slumber, it doesn’t take too long before we begin preparations for breakfast to satisfy our growing hunger.  We eat so often that I’m certain what we put into our bodies is all too quickly taken for granted or very ill planned.  How many times do we eat only to satisfy the craving for food? Do you ever eat with the sole intent to heal your body?  Let’s try to change the way that we look at food. You really are what you eat!

In order to form better eating habits for either ourselves or those that we care for, we really need to change the way we think and how we view food.  I know it’s easier said than done, but remember, the most difficult part when it comes to applying change to any area or aspect of our lives are just those few small steps that it takes to begin! It’s true! The hardest part is just getting our feet wet and implementing the change, in other words “beginning the task!” After we gain momentum it gets easier as habits begin to form and take root!

Here is a very simple example and lesson from my own recent experience on the way we tend to look at things, in this case, food!  My husband, upon returning home from a church function, brought to me a bag of what looked like sweet goodies!  My mouth began to water as I imagined what he would pull out of the bag at any moment to surprise me with! Within seconds I saw what looked like a round bear claw from the donut family.  It seemed to be smothered in a sticky sugary coating sprinkled with nuts, or so I thought. Upon closer examination I found it was a large, round baked roll lightly topped with cheese. This didn’t seem as appealing to me since I’d already taken a bite out of the sticky bun in my imagination, but my husband assured me that I would love it.  I reluctantly tried it and sure enough I found the roll to be delicious!  The lightly cheese topped roll was actually a healthier food than my imaginary sticky bun.  Rolls are normally baked while donuts are deep fried.  The small amount of cheese was also healthier to ingest rather than the sticky sugar.  If we practice the habit of training our minds to evaluate the foods that we plan to eat, these are those first small steps we need to take to begin eating healthier! As caregivers we will benefit and begin to notice that we have more energy and stamina.

Lets consider the effects of implementing healthy dietary changes for our aging parents.  For starters, assisting them with their eating patterns can make a world of difference on their overall health and feeling of well being. It’s hard to smile and be cheerful when you have no strength. Existing health issues are already a factor that contributes to ambulatory problems. Even if our elderly loved ones can’t get around like they once used to, eating better will enable them to have more strength and feel better about what they still can do!  As our bodies age, our food needs are very different. High quality proteins are an essential part of anyone’s diet, particularly for seniors.  But the digestion of proteins as we age becomes more difficult.  I have noticed in my own body the inability to properly digest foods that once had been no problem for me in the past. It’s not hard to imagine the difficulties that our senior loved ones may be having as they try to digest certain foods, especially certain forms of protein! 

Why is protein so important to include in our diet? We’ve all heard the phrase that proteins are the building blocks of life, but why? Well, our bodies are composed of protein for one!  Our DNA uses proteins to reproduce and synthesize more DNA and to carry out the instructions encoded in the DNA to make other cellular materials, including more proteins. It’s very complex but a beautiful example of how fearfully and wonderfully we are made by our creator!  Proteins themselves are large molecules.  These are made up of smaller chemicals called amino acids. We need approximately 20 different amino acids to produce all of the proteins that our bodies need to function. We can only synthesize 10 of these amino acids. The other 10 “essential” amino acids can only be obtained from food.

Have you observed your muscles as of late? Our muscles need protein to maintain proper tone and function.  It is vital for our seniors to maintain muscle for mobility.  Our immune systems also need the protein antibodies to function properly and protect us from disease. I could go on about the importance of protein in our diets but I hope I’ve tweaked your interest and captured your attention on the subject.

Please allow me to re-introduce you is a an easily digestible, excellent source of protein, the EGG!  Eggs have gotten a bad rap through the years, but medical researchers  are finally beginning to restore the good reputation of eggs once again.  The benefits far out weight any of the small risks!

Benefits of the egg:
    * Only 70 calories
    * 5 grams of fat per egg (mostly unsaturated)
    * B vitamins (including riboflavin and folate)
    * Zinc
    * Vitamin A and D

The area we must monitor closely when consuming eggs is the amount of cholesterol, and this can be monitored by carefully watching the cholesterol content in the other foods that we eat throughout the day as a whole.  The American Heart Association no longer places a limit on the number of eggs that you can consume. They now suggest you limit your total cholesterol to about 300 mg a day. If you have heart disease, high cholesterol, diabetes or other coronary risk factors, the limit is 200 mg a day.

Here’s some further amazing information about eggs that I simply must share with you in this article.  I obtained these facts from http://www.myoptumhealth.com/ 

Some studies have shown that:

• The unsaturated fats and other nutrients found in eggs, including B vitamins, vitamin D and folate, are beneficial to health.
• Choline, abundant in eggs, is needed for brain and memory development in the fetus. Plus, it may improve memory later in life. It is also a known anti-inflammatory.
• Lutein and zeaxanthin, powerful compounds found in eggs and certain vegetables, may help keep eyes healthy and cut the risk of age-related macular degeneration.
• A small study has even suggested that eggs, when eaten in moderation and in conjunction with a low-carbohydrate diet, may help reduce weight, decrease inflammation and raise HDL levels.

Keeping the balance
One egg contains about 200 mg of cholesterol. If eggs are on the menu, limit the amount of full-fat cheese, whole milk and meat products you have that day.

Also remember that while eggs are high in cholesterol, they are very low in saturated fat and have no trans fats. In fact, it is the combination of cholesterol and saturated/trans fat (or saturated and trans fats alone) that are the most dangerous for clogging arteries. So still avoid eating eggs with bacon or sausage, high-fat cheese, excess butter or highly processed foods.

If you would like to try a new and tasty way to prepare eggs, I’m excited to share with you a cherished family favorite!  My mother gave this recipe to me many years ago.  She would prepare this simple egg recipe many times throughout her life.  I so enjoyed eating these with her.  As I cared for her in later years, I too would continue to prepare mom's egg muffins for her.  It always brought a smile to her face as I would walk in the front door and announce; “Your egg muffins are done!”

Mom’s Egg Muffins
4 tablespoons of instant long grain brown rice
4 tablespoons of of boiling hot water
4 eggs
In a mixing bowl, mix well by hand the instant rice with the boiling water.
Next add the well beaten eggs.
Add the mixture to a six greased (with olive oil) or paper lined muffin tin.
Bake in toaster oven at 375 degrees for approximately 30 to 40 minutes or until golden brown on top. For toppings, add a pat of butter or enjoy topped with a tablespoon of honey or maple syrup!

I hope that you’ve learned some new things and that these articles encourage and help make life easier for you and your loved ones.  If you have any questions or are in need of prayer and encouragement, please feel welcome to join our group at Christian Women Take Root, the Caregiver’s Corner.

See you there!

Medical Disclaimer: The information within the Caregiver’s Corner Column is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. All content, including text, graphics, images and information, contained on or available through this column is for general information and educational purposes only. Please do not neglect to seek medical advice for your individual condition or that of your loved ones when introducing new foods or applying any information found within this column.