Family caregivers know how difficult it can sometimes be to get their aging loved one to eat healthy food.
When the soup is on the table, however, elderly adults can hardly resist the delicious warmth of soups and stews. Family caregivers and home care providers can create these nutritious and appetizing meals in the slow cooker, making them convenient on busy days. Home care providers can even double the recipe for a second meal later in the week.
Soup is an ideal meal for elderly adults, especially those with poor appetites, swallowing or chewing problems or other physical impairments. Family caregivers and home care providers can also add ingredients they have on hand to most recipes to boost nutrition even more. Served with some whole grain bread or crackers, the soup will continue to be a favorite meal for elderly adults all winter long.
Here are three recipes that soup-lovers of all ages will enjoy:
Beef and Bean Soup
This hearty soup delivers so much protein in one delicious bowl. Optional toppings include shredded cheese, chopped green onions or sour cream.
2 (15.5-oz) cans kidney beans, drained
1 lb ground beef, cooked and drained of fat
1/2 C tomato sauce
1 (15-oz) can diced tomatoes with juice
1 1/2 C diced yellow onion
1 Tbsp beef stew seasoning
Salt and pepper to taste
Pour all ingredients into the slow cooker and stir to combine. Season with salt and pepper. Cover and cook 7 hours on low heat. Serve immediately with desired toppings.
Mushroom Beef Stew
This easy slow cooker stew brings together some less common ingredients into a tasty stew that will leave everyone asking for seconds.
2 lbs beef chuck, trimmed and cubed
1/2 yellow onion, diced
1 (16-oz) package frozen diced potatoes
2 (12-oz) jars mushroom gravy
1 C sliced mushrooms
1 1/2 C apple juice
2 tsp caraway seeds
Coat a saucepan with cooking spray then heat it over medium heat. Add onions and cook until softened. Add beef cubes and cook until browned. Drain any fat from the saucepan. In the slow cooker, add beef and onion mixture, potatoes, sliced mushrooms, gravy, apple juice, and caraway seeds. Cover and cook on low for 6 hours. Serve immediately.
Italian Meatball Soup
Combining the best flavors of the Old World, this soup pairs well with crusty buttered bread and a green salad.
2 (14.5-oz) cans diced tomatoes, undrained
2 (12-oz) package frozen cooked Italian-style meatballs, thawed
1 (15-oz) can kidney beans, rinsed and drained
1 (14-oz) can chicken broth
1 (10-oz) package frozen whole kernel corn, thawed
Combine the tomatoes and tomato juice from the can, meatballs, beans, broth, and corn in the slow cooker. Cook for 7 hours on low.
