Fiber is so good for you and your elderly parents. A diet high in fiber is helpful in preventing colon cancer and constipation. Fiber is also beneficial for heart health, cholesterol levels, and blood sugar levels. Research also finds that a high-fiber diet can help lower the risk of stroke.

You want to add fiber to your parents’ meals, but you’re not sure where to start. Have you tried these grains? They’re all fiber-rich and taste great.

Barley.

One cup of barley has 32 grams of dietary fiber. It’s a versatile grain that’s as good in a soup as it is replacing rice in a pilaf. You can cook it with milk and have a hot breakfast that’s similar to oatmeal. Given that the American Heart Association recommends 25 grams of fiber each day, it’s easy to get a full day’s supply of fiber with this grain.

Bulgur.

Bulgur is cracked wheat that’s handy when making pilafs, veggie burgers, or a hot cereal. In one cup of cooked bulgur, there are 8 grams of dietary fiber. It’s also high in vitamin B6 and magnesium. You may have had it in tabbouleh, the chilled salad that mixes bulgur, olive oil, lemon juice, cucumbers, mint, parsley, and tomatoes.

Farro.

Farro is a species of wheat that’s similar to barley. It’s great with stir fry. You can also use it in place of rice in a pilaf. You’ll find 7 to 8 grams of fiber in half a cup of cooked farro. It’s also rich in magnesium and niacin.

Quinoa.

With 5 grams of dietary fiber per cup, quinoa is lower in fiber than grains like barley, but it’s also rich in some B vitamins, folate, iron, magnesium, and protein. You can get your protein and fiber in one food. It’s really good in veggie burgers and also works well in pilafs.

If you’re having a hard time making sure your parents have nutritious meals, consider bringing in a caregiver to help. Many family caregivers balance caring for their children, having time with friends, and caring for their parent. With a home care professional’s help, you can balance your time and avoid stress and frustration.

Meal preparation is one of the many services caregivers provide. They can also drive your mom and dad to appointments, take them shopping, and join them for walks around the neighborhood. Learn more about home care by calling today.

If you or an aging loved one are considering hiring home care in Laurens, SC, contact Heart of the Carolinas Home Care at 864-991-3116.  Providing Home Care Services in Greenville, Simpsonville, Greer, Anderson, Spartanburg, Mauldin, Seneca, Laurens, Charleston, Columbia and the surrounding areas.

Sources:

http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/HealthyLiving/HealthyEating/HealthyDietGoals/Whole-Grains-and-Fiber_UCM_303249_Article.jsp#.WgyVYWhSyM8

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Edward Harrison

Founder at Heart of the Carolinas

Edward Harrison founded the Heart of the Carolinas Homecare in 2007 when he saw there was a need for caregivers that provide non-medical home care services, at a price that most people could afford. It was standard in the industry to require hourly minimums and it was common to be assigned a caregiver, not matched with one based on your individual personal needs. Edward understood that to make a successful relationship between caregiver and client, skills were not enough, personality and compatibility plays as much a role as do skills.

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