Best Breakfast for Alzheimer’s and Dementia Patients

Dementia is a concern for a lot of people since we are not quite sure where it comes from, how it should be dealt with or how to prevent it. Perhaps, diet plays the greatest role in dealing with dementia since we eat every single day while we might accidentally skip exercise or even medication on some days. And since breakfast is one of the most controllable meals because they usually take place at home, we can make sure they contain key nutrients such as antioxidants, vitamins, and fibre. Keep reading to find out the best ideas for breakfast for dementia patients, breakfast for Alzheimer’s and supplements to prevent Alzheimer’s.

Benefits of Breakfast for Dementia Patients

Let’s begin by defining what constitutes a healthy breakfast. The nutritional components of a good morning meal include four main areas. Complex carbohydrates, protein, healthy fat, and fibre are essential nutrients when it comes to preparing the best breakfast for dementia patients.

With breakfast, you can nourish your body with foods that slow aging and contain chronic diseases like dementia. Consuming a healthy breakfast also helps maintain a constant blood sugar level, which is crucial for dementia patients. When seniors don’t eat breakfast, their blood sugar levels can spike because more insulin is in their system without glucose to break it down. This spike in blood sugar can lead to mood swings, so it is best to avoid them. The elevated glucose levels that result from eating breakfast contribute to stronger short-term memory. Consumption of breakfasts high in fibre has been linked to improved concentration and focus throughout the day for dementia patients.

• Walnuts for Dementia Patients 

A great source of omega-3 polyunsaturated fats, Walnuts contain several components with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. Each of these brain-boosting nuggets contains 2.5 grams of protein, which may help fight and contain dementia. You can make walnut muffins for a quick snack by baking them in advance for your loved ones.

• Whole eggs for Dementia Patients 

Lutein and choline in eggs help prevent cognitive decline. People who eat eggs lose weight and build muscle when consumed regularly, regardless of how they cook them. As well as building brainpower, they also improve memory. Eating eggs with their yolks appears to improve short-term memory, attention, and learning scores. For more on this, check out Are Eggs Good for Dementia and Alzheimer’s?

• Oatmeal: Ideal Breakfast for Dementia Patients 

Choose oatmeal as your cereal of choice for dementia patients 

There is a link between low serum levels of nutrients like folate, vitamin E, and flavonoids and poor cognitive function, memory loss, and dementia. Steel-cut oatmeal is a good source of folate and vitamin B12, two B vitamins you need to make a great breakfast for dementia patients. 

For added vitamin E, including nuts and seeds in oatmeal, like almonds, walnuts, ground flaxseed, chia seeds, sunflower seeds, and pumpkin seeds. It is also helpful to top it with berries or cherries; they contain high amounts of flavonoids, which may protect neural connections and reduce dementia symptoms. For more on this, check out Health Benefits of Berries for Seniors.

• Breakfast for Alzheimer’s: Fruity/veggie smoothie

Whether Alzheimer’s patients like to eat breakfast or not, preparing a smoothie in the morning as breakfast is a great habit to get into. The right way to make it is with berries and leafy green vegetables. Two brain-healthy foods play an important role in the MIND diet, which correlates with better brain health. Find out if the MIND Diet can Reduce the Risk of Alzheimer’s.

Getting Dementia Patients to Eat More

Dementia and Alzheimer’s often lead to a reduction in eating habits. Eating disorders can cause chewing, swallowing, and digestion problems. 

It is not uncommon for patients to lose interest in food. A variety of reasons can contribute to this, including a loss of taste, smell, memory, and thinking. It is also possible for certain medications to affect appetite. In order to encourage someone with dementia to eat more, we have compiled a list of 5 practical tips.

• Plate colour matters: In comparison to patients eating from white plates, red plate eaters ate 25% more food. People living with dementia appear to perceive food differently on a plate because of this.

• Make eating easier: For patients to eat more frequently, little and often, finger food is a good option. Some examples include fruits, nuts, crisps, fish fingers, chicken pieces and prawns.

• Table manners matter: Make eye contact with them as soon as you sit down at the table. Being patient and making eye contact will help

• Stop talking: A person living with Alzheimer’s or dementia can easily become distracted and confused if you try to have them do more than one thing at a time.

• Offer liquids through a straw: If the patient has difficulty swallowing. Rather than thin liquids, thicken them and puree them.

Supplements to Prevent Alzheimer’s

Besides following a dementia-friendly diet, many people turn to natural remedies, including supplements to prevent dementia, in order to prevent the onset and progression of dementia. Although research doesn’t entirely support any specific supplement or regimen, some vitamins and minerals appear to benefit cognitive function. Considering vitamin deficiencies can cause dementia, supplementing makes sense as an alternative treatment. Here are 8 vitamins that are good for patients with dementia based on the information above:

• Vitamins E and C
• Vitamin D
• Zinc
• Vitamin B1
• Vitamin B12 and Folic Acid
• Panax Ginseng
• Omega-3 Fatty Acids
• Vitamin B6

Final Words

A healthy breakfast for Alzheimer’s patients can help them maintain their brain health and increase their mobility. In addition to slowing the progression of the disease, vitamins, minerals, and nutrients can improve quality of life. It is also important to avoid including sugary breakfast beverages, such as Frappuccinos, energy drinks, and huge fruit juices, in dementia patients’ diets. For more ways to protect your brain as you age, find out if the MIND Diet can Reduce the Risk of Alzheimer’s.