Supporting Your Loved One’s Health Journey: How Nutritional Care Can Make All the Difference

Family and friends are essential in ensuring vulnerable populations get enough nutrition to stay healthy. Older adults, children, individuals with chronic health issues, unhoused individuals, and other demographics benefit from having a support system in place to ensure they eat a balanced diet. Monitoring a loved one’s nutritional care is not always easy. LifeSpring Home Nutrition offers high-quality meal delivery services to make caring for loved ones more straightforward and affordable.

The Role of Nutritional Care in Your Loved One’s Health Journey

Nutrition is essential to a person’s overall mental and physical health. Malnutrition and other conditions caused by lack of a healthy diet affect the brain, heart, kidneys, and other vital body systems. A balanced diet may reduce the risk of preventable health issues and create a solid foundation for healthy lifestyle changes. People often feel more energized and focused if they eat regular nutritional meals. Family members can help their loved ones stay healthy by ensuring they have access to nourishing, nutrient-rich meals. Home-delivered meal services provide families with many options for addressing diet-related health issues. 

Understanding Nutrition and Its Impact on Wellness

Nutrition affects how the body functions throughout the day. People need to eat regular, balanced meals to stay healthy and energized. According to the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS), “Healthy diets with an optimal balance of nutrients help people accomplish daily physical activities and mental processes.” Everyone has different nutritional needs determined by their health, age, gender, and other factors. Some individuals may find it easier to maintain a healthy diet and lifestyle with the help of friends and family. Accountability and practical support make it easier for people to establish healthy eating habits. 

Some of the most common dietary changes people make to improve their overall health include: 

• Introducing portion control 
• Adopting a low-sodium diet
• Reducing added sugars and processed foods
• Creating consistent meal schedules and routines 
• Adding more whole foods to daily meals
• Increasing fluid intake

By making positive dietary changes, people regain control of their health. Family and friends provide emotional support to help loved ones establish and maintain healthy routines surrounding meals and eating. Developing new dietary plans takes time and can be difficult to do independently. Primary care providers and community-based programs, including LifeSpring Home Nutrition, support families and help them navigate nutritional challenges by providing information and resources. 

Nutritional Needs for Different Populations

Everyone has different nutritional needs; some populations may be more vulnerable to malnutrition and other health issues. Meal delivery services address various diet-related health concerns by ensuring people can access nourishing meals personalized to their needs throughout the week. Families and close friends can protect their loved ones and ensure they get enough nutrition by helping develop routines that take advantage of services designed to support a healthy diet. 

Some individuals who benefit most from home-delivered meals include: 

• Older adults 
• Individuals living with disabilities 
• People with limited access to healthy foods 
• Unhoused individuals

Physical disabilities, lack of financial stability, and other factors affect the types of foods people eat and their overall health. LifeSpring Home Nutrition works with community-based programs to ensure vulnerable populations can access essential nutrients and high-quality foods. 

Tailored Meal Plans for Optimal Health

Each person has different nutritional needs. Some may have medical conditions that make it difficult for their body to absorb nutrients, while others may have mobility issues that make them rely on processed foods. Home-delivered meals fill the gap by providing premade meals made with nutraceuticals and other nutrient-enriched foods. LifeSpring Home Nutrition collaborates with client care providers and registered dieticians (RDs) to create tailored meal plans for individuals who require additional nutritional support. 

Tailored meal plans improve people’s physical and mental health by doing the following: 

• Adding essential nutrients to a person’s diet to improve brain function, including omega-3 fatty acids, folate, and vitamin D
• Making it easier to maintain a healthy weight, reducing the risk of weight-related health issues 
• Helping people effectively manage diabetes by stabilizing blood sugar levels 
• Improving gut health and the gut-brain connection by introducing more probiotics and fiber into a person’s diet 
• Boosting energy levels 
• Reducing inflammation 
• Decrease stress or discomfort related to food by ensuring people have access to healthy meals they enjoy 

The mental and physical benefits of meal delivery services help people build healthier routines surrounding diet and eating. Family members can easily help loved ones set up tailored meal delivery services. 

Importance of Protein in a Healthy Diet

Protein is vital to ensuring the body functions properly. According to MedlinePlus, “You need protein in your diet to help your body repair cells and make new ones.” Everyone needs protein to stay healthy. Children, teens, and pregnant individuals may need more protein to grow and reach critical developmental milestones. 

Most people get protein from dairy and meat. However, plant-based foods, including soy, nut butter, grains, and beans, also contain essential proteins. People can get all the protein they need without eating animal products. 

Recommended Daily Protein Intake

The average adult needs protein to make up 10-35% of their daily food intake. A large egg or half a cup of cooked beans provides enough essential nutrients to keep an adult healthy. Individuals with certain medical conditions may require more protein in their diet. For example, people recovering from cancer may need additional protein to help their body repair the damage caused by cancer and lifesaving treatments. LifeSpring Home Nutrition supports cancer recovery and offers tailored meals for other medical conditions to ensure people have enough protein and other essential nutrients. 

The amount of daily protein a person needs varies depending on multiple factors, including: 

• Gender 
• Activity level and metabolic rate
• Personal health goals
• Mental and physical health conditions 
• Dietary restrictions 
• Medical history 

People should consult a medical professional if they believe they may not get enough protein in their diet. A primary health provider, nutritionist, dietician, or other professional can provide directions for addressing any health issues caused by a lack of protein or other nutritional deficiencies. LifeSpring Home Nutrition provides tailored meal plans, including protein-rich meals, meant to help people recover from malnutrition and other health issues caused by a poor diet. 

Creating a Balanced Meal Menu

Family members concerned about their loved ones’ health can provide practical support by helping them create a balanced meal menu. Home-delivered meals make this easier by narrowing down foods to those that will provide the most nutrients. 

A balanced meal plan generally involves the following: 

• Various food groups 
• Protein-rich foods
• Portion control 
• Complex carbohydrates 
• Healthy fats 
• Staying hydrated 
• Limiting added sugars and highly processed foods 

Creating a meal menu involves ensuring meals include nutrient-rich ingredients. Speaking with a loved one’s primary care provider, nutritionist, or other members of their medical support network can provide more significant insights into what types of meals to include in the plan. LifeSpring Home Nutrition offers nutritional counseling and assistance to families who need help navigating meal planning. 

The Benefits of Meal Delivery Services

Establishing and maintaining a healthy diet is not easy, and some families may struggle to find positive ways to support loved ones with nutrition issues. In some cases, families may have limited access to support services, making it more challenging to ensure their loved ones eat balanced meals each week. Home-delivered meals can give families greater control over helping their loved ones improve their mental and physical health. 

Some of the primary benefits of meal delivery services include: 

• Weekly wellness checks during deliveries 
• A positive social connection with the delivery team 
• Access to a range of high-quality and nutrient-rich meals 
• Reduced stress surrounding meal preparation and clean-up 
• Less food waste 

LifeSpring Home Nutrition allows families to personalize deliveries to the unique needs of loved ones, ensuring they meet their nutritional needs and taste preferences. According to the Social Security Administration (SSA), “We know these [food delivery] services help create healthy, strong communities where everyone can thrive at any age.” In addition, “Local programs serve up more than food—they offer opportunities to connect and socialize.” Families can connect loved ones with these life-changing support services. 

Convenience and Accessibility of Nutritional Care

Everyone loves convenience. Being able to quickly and easily access nutritional essentials reduces the risk of preventable diseases and motivates people to make necessary changes to support a healthier lifestyle. Home-delivered services offer convenient and accessible meals by bringing them directly to clients each week. Planning for multiple meals at the start of the week can help people set healthy routines and limit the consumption of unhealthy foods. LifeSpring Home Nutrition offers convenient meal delivery options to help clients develop positive routines surrounding meals and eating. 

Minimal packaging benefits people, cutting down on food and material waste and other aspects of meal delivery services. Clients choose custom meal plans through the online catalog, making it easy to personalize the weekly deliveries. People can change the type of foods they order each week to introduce variety into their weekly meals. LifeSpring Home Nutrition offers meals designed to support specific types of diets in addition to comfort foods and culturally sensitive dishes. Everyone can find multiple dishes that meet their medical needs and personal tastes. 

Enhancing Quality of Life

Many people are unaware of how much nutrition impacts their quality of life. According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), “Poor nutrition is a leading cause of illness in the United States, associated with more than half a million deaths per year.” Lack of proper nutrition is also “linked with increased risk of obesity, diabetes, and heart disease as well as broader impacts including higher health care costs and decreased productivity.” Families can protect vulnerable loved ones from poor nutrition by helping them develop a balanced diet and healthy routines. 

Proper nutrition improves quality of life by doing the following: 

• Boosting immune system 
• Reducing symptoms related to mental or physical health disorders 
• Supporting longevity 
• Improving mood and emotion regulation 
• Enhancing mental clarity and focus 
• Promoting weight loss

LifeSpring Home Nutrition provides nutritional guidance to individuals and families in the community. Medically tailored meals (MTMs) are available to address specific health issues that impact older people, including heart failure, cardiovascular disease, kidney failure, and cognitive decline. People with chronic pain and other persistent health issues may experience fewer or less severe symptoms after prioritizing nourishing meals.

Nutritional Care as a Support System

Families are often necessary to support loved ones experiencing health issues impacting their ability to function day-to-day. Nutritional care acts as another part of a person’s support system by reducing stress, mental health symptoms, and side effects of chronic health conditions. 

Families can support loved ones experiencing dietary issues by doing the following: 

• Providing practical support like contacting meal delivery programs and providing transportation to doctor appointments 
• Offering emotional encouragement and accountability for maintaining healthy dietary changes 
• Modeling healthy behaviors by eating balanced meals 

Home-delivered meals are an excellent source of nutritional support. LifeSpring Home Nutrition regularly collaborates with clients, registered dieticians, and healthcare providers to determine which meals will provide people with the best health outcomes. Creating a balanced diet takes time and a commitment to making choices that support mental and physical wellness. Family members often act as caregivers for loved ones by encouraging them to get help and stick with changes to their diet. 

The Role of Caregivers in Nutritional Care

Caregivers play an essential role in nutritional support. Often, caregivers notice changes in people’s eating habits and health before changes become noticeable to healthcare professionals. In addition, caregivers, family, and friends know the people they care about best, making it easier to anticipate potential challenges or barriers to nutritional health. Identifying potential issues before they become a problem can improve health outcomes and reduce the risk of chronic or acute conditions. Families collaborate with healthcare providers and community-based programs to create a solid support system for maintaining a healthy diet. 

How to Recognize If a Loved One Needs Support With Their Nutritional Care

Family and friends often notice first if someone begins to experience health issues. However, not everyone knows the signs of potential nutritional deficiencies and other health concerns. Some common signs a person may need nutritional support include: 

• Frequent illness
• Persistent exhaustion throughout the day 
• Sleep disturbances 
• Changes in appetite 
• Difficult concentrating 
• Poor focus 
• Low productivity 
• Brittle hair and nails 
• Slow wound healing 
• Digestive issues 
• Muscle weakness and cramping 
• Experiencing frequent breakouts or dry and flaky skin 
• Unusual mood swings 

Getting help immediately can reduce the risk of long-term health side effects. Family members can contact their loved one’s primary care provider to express any concerns and get referrals for meal delivery services. Professional support services reduce the risk of severe health issues, including relapse. 

Collaborating With Nutritionists and Dietitians

Families and caregivers benefit from collaborating with nutritionists and dieticians to determine the best way to address specific dietary issues. Often, people have multiple health issues they must address simultaneously through diet, exercise, and other healthy activities. Families benefit from helping loved ones feel comfortable and confident participating in nutritional education and support services. According to Nutrition and Dietetics, “The therapeutic relationship is integral to communication and counselling practices, as they are pivotal to how effectively the client and dietitian engage and are able to work together.” 

LifeSpring Home Nutrition understands the importance of offering comprehensive nutritional counseling and education to families struggling with nutrition-related health issues. Clients receive a week’s worth of tailored meals designed to provide them with the recommended amount of nutrients while offering social support. Families can set up meal delivery services by contacting the front office or getting a referral from their healthcare provider. Home-delivered meals promote healing and physical resilience. The nutritional experts at LifeSpring Home Nutrition work with local community members to meet their needs and ensure everyone can access essential support services. 

Family and friends might feel helpless if they watch loved ones experience health issues caused by an unhealthy or inadequate diet. Finding practical ways to address these problems can seem like an uphill battle for many people. Community-based services, including meal delivery programs, fill gaps in healthcare and connect families with nutritional experts. LifeSpring Home Nutrition offers people access to tailored weekly meal deliveries. Individuals experiencing health concerns or other issues affecting their diet benefit from meal delivery services. Family members can easily set up weekly deliveries to ensure their loved ones get the support they need to build a balanced diet. To learn more about our services and how we can help, contact us today by calling (800) 798-5767.