We always want to be healthy all the days of our lives. There is no exception to that. In fact, as we grow older and we become more committed to our physical goals, we must also embody great ways to improve our overall health and wellbeing. For those of you who have elderly people that you are living with at home, it pays to take note of the activities that they are into. Likewise, you must also consider foods before a workout for them.
Carbohydrate-Rich Foods for Energy
Your loved ones can definitely rely on carbohydrate-rich foods as part of their pre-workout nutrition. Note that carbohydrates transform into glucose, which in turn can be used up as a source of energy during workouts. Carbohydrate intake depends on several factors, though. If you want your loved ones to maximize glycogen stores, a high-carb diet is recommended for a day to a week.
Bagel with jam is an example of a carbohydrate-rich food to eat before a workout. Choose the whole-wheat variant for the bagel. This one is a combination of simple and complex carbohydrates which are both good for people who want to load up before working out.
Protein Sources for Muscles
If you want your loved ones to improve on their athletic performance, nothing beats choosing a protein for pre-workout. Muscle protein synthesis increases when one eats protein either solely or combined with carbohydrates before each physical activity. This will also help them maintain their muscle mass. All in all, this leads to better muscle performance while also improving muscle recovery.
Some types of protein shakes are ideal for the elderly. When choosing one, make sure that you pay attention to what is written on the label, focusing on the fact that there should not be added sugars in the one you are buying. In order to balance the nutrients from the protein shake, your loved ones can add carbohydrates to their diet as well. You can also mix banana and oats with water or fruit juice. Do not use milk because this can result in mucous.
Fat for Endurance
Healthy fats are considered helpful when it comes to performing low-to-moderate intensity exercises. Studies have shown how eating fats before a workout can help increase endurance for trained runners who want to achieve results in a certain amount of time. A four-week diet loaded with fat will be best.
Try low-fat cheese for your loved ones’ pre-workout meal. You can combine this with an egg which will then be a source of protein and bread as the source of carbohydrates. A slice of this combi will go easy on the stomach of your loved ones. Check that they are not sensitive to dairy products like cheese though before serving them this food.
For Those Living in Independent Living Communities
If your loved one is part of an independent living community like GreenTree at Westwood, it will be good to have someone prepare their meals before every workout. The good thing about this community is that they serve food depending on the needs of an individual. They can prepare meals upon request, without compromise to the overall health and wellbeing of the elderly. Let your loved ones try their Sensations Dining to get the nutrients that their body needs.
