Sensational Summer Foods For Seniors

From summer salads to juicy watermelon, the mid-summer harvest is full of great foods, especially for seniors.

A rainbow of summer foods on a senior’s plate helps boost immunity, improve cardiovascular health, and tastes great! Here are some locally available choices that are packed with healthful benefits.

Seven Sensational Summer Foods for Seniors

1. Green Beans – High in fiber, green beans are a terrific choice for digestive health. Plus, the silicon in green beans helps improve bone strength – a great choice for seniors who are at risk for osteoporosis.
2. Beets – Colorful beets provide a boost to vision and brain health. The lutein in beet greens helps protect your eyes from age-related macular degeneration and cataracts. Beets also produce nitric acid, which is especially good for blood flow to the brain. Beets have been associated with lowered risk of dementia and Alzheimer’s.
3. Corn – Sweet corn contains high levels of lutein and zeaxanthin, two nutrients that promote healthy vision. Corn is also high in fiber for good digestion, and Vitamin C for a healthy immune system.
4. Spinach – Popeye popped cans of spinach to get big and strong, but you can enjoy the benefits of spinach in a summery salad or lightly sautéed. Dark, leafy spinach leaves have high levels of vitamins and minerals that benefit every part of the body. Spinach contains folate for cardiovascular health, and Vitamin A (beta carotene) for eye health.
5. Summer Squash – Summer squashes are high in Vitamin A and fiber. Summer squashes also contain high levels of magnesium and potassium, which help improve blood flow and reduce strain on the heart. High fiber helps reduce cholesterol and aids overall digestion.
6. Blueberries – Blueberries are summer favorites for a good reason. Not only are they delicious, but they are packed with antioxidants. Anti-oxidants are substances that help delay or prevent cell damage. The high anti-oxidant content of blueberries is associated with helping to prevent cancers, osteoporosis, and Alzheimer’s Disease. Blueberries also share the same compound in cranberries that helps to prevent urinary tract infections.
7. Watermelon – Nothing says summer like a juicy slice of watermelon! Watermelon is packed with nutrients. The amino acids in watermelon help the body relax blood vessels and improve circulation.

Please be sure to consult your physician before making changes to your (or your loved one’s) diet. Even for those with common dietary restrictions, there is a bounty of delicious summer foods for everyone to enjoy!

FountainView at College Road is a glatt kosher senior living community in Rockland County, NY.