Enhancing Home-Delivered Meals With Fresh Whole Foods

Whole foods are an excellent source of daily vitamins and minerals. According to Nutrients, in general, “any increase in the consumption of fruits and vegetables results in the improvement of well-being, enhances happiness, and decreases depressive symptoms, with the strongest effect observed for [a minimum of] 6 servings a day.” Home-delivered meals from LifeSpring Home Nutrition are prepared with essential fresh whole foods and nutrient-rich ingredients. Clients choose how many servings of fruits and vegetables are included in their daily meals.

How Do Fresh Whole Foods Improve Your Diet?

Individuals must consume a certain amount of whole foods to ensure they have the proper nutrients to stay strong, recover from disease, and prevent future health issues. Fruits, vegetables, and whole grains are essential sources of daily vitamins and minerals. According to the National Institute on Aging (NIA), “Whole grains provide iron and many B vitamins, and they have fiber, too.” Individuals with chronic health issues often benefit from nutrient-rich meals provided by LifeSpring Home Nutrition. Whole foods are an essential ingredient in many of the meals.

People who sign up for meal delivery services still benefit from adding whole foods to their diet. Some of the primary benefits of incorporating whole fruits and vegetables include:

• Fresh fruits and vegetables can be easily prepared and do not need to be cooked
• Whole foods quickly add additional nutrients to healthy meals
• Fresh fruits and vegetables can enhance the taste of simple meals

Fruits have natural sugars and can be eaten as simple desserts alongside a premade meal. Vegetables also make an excellent addition to many meals offered by LifeSpring Home Nutrition. Adding a serving of fresh fruits and vegetables is unnecessary with the balanced meals delivered each week. However, it can provide variety and enrichment.

The Importance of Proper Nutrients

Getting the right balance of nutrients is essential for older individuals and people with chronic health conditions. Managing diabetes and other health issues requires people to monitor their diet closely. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), “People with healthy eating patterns live longer and are at lower risk for serious health problems such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and obesity . . . people with chronic diseases, healthy eating can help manage these conditions and prevent complications.” Eating healthy home-delivered meals and adding additional whole foods to daily diets improves overall health. Without proper nutrients, people have an increased risk of experiencing chronic or acute health issues.

Supplementing Meals With Fresh Whole Foods

Many people who receive home-delivered meals have mobility issues caused by age-related issues or disabilities. Preparing whole foods is more manageable than preparing complete meals. Most of the time, whole fruits and vegetables only need to be rinsed and chopped into smaller pieces. The easy preparation makes fruits and vegetables a quick addition to any premade meal.

Supplementing home-delivered meals with fresh whole foods improves people’s physical and mental health. Some of the most popular foods people add to meals include:

• Apples
• Carrots
• Celery
• Cherry tomatoes
• Cucumbers
• Oranges
• Bananas

Fruits and vegetables can be added to most meals as a convenient side dish. Some people may also enhance their daily meals with whole foods snacks throughout the day. According to Advanced in Nutrition, “In today’s society, snacking contributes close to one-third of daily energy intake, with many snacks consisting of energy-dense and nutrient-poor foods [. . .] whole foods high in protein, fiber, and whole grains (e.g., nuts, yogurt, prunes, and popcorn) enhance satiety when consumed as snacks.” People are less likely to overeat during their meals if they have several healthy snacks during the day.

The Best Whole Foods for Managing Health Issues

Many people receiving home-delivered meals have one or more medical conditions impacting their diet or appetite. Some whole foods people incorporate into their diet may help them manage specific health issues, including:

• Bananas, berries, and leafy greens reduce the risk of hypertension and lower blood pressure
• Leafy greens, whole grains, green beans, carrots, and peppers help people manage diabetes by reducing starches and increasing fiber
• Kale, spinach, and other leafy greens improve brain health and slow the progression of cognitive decline for individuals with dementia

Everyone has different symptoms and side effects they need to manage. Adding whole foods to their diet is one way to improve their health and manage symptoms of medical conditions.

Fresh Whole Foods at LifeSpring Home Nutrition

LifeSpring Home Nutrition uses fresh and frozen whole foods to make delicious meals. The meal planning and preparation team ensures each dish has the best ingredients to ensure quality taste and high nutritional content. People who do not have the time, energy, or money to add whole foods to their daily meals still have access to vegetables and fruits in their weekly meal deliveries. The registered dietician (RD) working with LifeSpring Home Nutrition creates meal plans designed to provide clients with the optimal balance of vitamins and minerals.

Many people choose to receive home-delivered meals because they do not have access to nutritional foods or have mobility issues impacting their ability to prepare their own meals. Buying whole fruits and vegetables is one easy way for people to enhance their daily meals. By adding whole foods to their meals, people increase the amount of vitamins and minerals they consume each day. Very little meal prep is often required to add fresh foods to home-delivered meals. LifeSpring Home Nutrition encourages clients to eat fresh foods whenever possible to improve their quality of life. To learn more about our meal delivery services and how to receive home-delivered meals, call our office today at (800) 798-5767