Here’s How To Satisfy An Elderly Sweet Tooth

If you’re one of the many seniors that has a sweet tooth then you’re not alone! Even if you’ve typically always been more of a savory snack kind of person, the older we get – the more likely we are to crave treats that are on the sweeter side…

So Why do the Elderly Crave Sweets More?

Changes in our food preferences can often be linked back to physiological changes in the body as we grow older. One of those major changes includes the fact that our taste buds won’t always be able to process and perceive as many flavors as they used to. In fact, the average young adult has between 10,000 and 15,000 taste buds, allowing them to identify many different types of tastes including salty, bitter, sweet and sour. But by the time we reach around the age of 70, the number of taste buds we have can be reduced by a huge 60 percent! It’s little wonder then that this can massively impact our ability to detect flavors and many foods may start to taste kind of boring… *sob!*

This could account for why so many seniors seem to gravitate more towards sweeter foods, as sugary treats are simply easier to taste than blander savory snacks. The sugar-heavy treats are often ones that elderly taste buds still recognize easily and find deliciously gratifying. However, sugar cravings among the elderly can also prove to be a side effect of an inadequate diet too. If you’re not eating enough carbohydrates, then the body will start to crave naughty sweet treats. That’s because your body is missing the essential energy which carbs provide. It’s therefore more important than ever as a senior to keep your diet as balanced as possible!

As wonderful as it is to indulge in a big bag of sweets or a huge bar of chocolate from time to time, it’s important that as a senior you’re also able to swap out some of your usual sweet treats with some healthier alternatives. Here we take a look at a couple of sweet treats for the elderly that will satisfy your cravings, without doing damage to your health.

1. Dark Chocolate

Okay so you have to apply some common sense with this one! Obviously eating bar after bar is never going to do your health any good, especially as a senior. But in small portions, dark chocolate (mostly bars containing over 70% cocoa) can actually have some health benefits, including providing a source of friendly antioxidants, as well as being good for your skin, and even reducing your chance of heart disease. But remember – munch moderately.

2. Frozen Yogurt

If regular yogurt just doesn’t cut it when it comes to the sweet treat stakes, then a pot of whipped fro-yo ought to do the trick. Frozen yogurt definitely feels like more of a sweet treat than regular runny yogurts, due to its whipped consistency. You can even top it with some pieces of fresh fruit or a little bit of grated dark choc to give it an extra sweet kick. Many frozen yogurt varieties also contain probiotics that promote a healthy gut, as well as low levels of lactose.

3. Organic Ice Cream

When it comes to soft desserts for the elderly, it doesn’t get much better than ice cream. Here at Nature’s Organic, we make our delicious ice cream using totally natural and organic ingredients that don’t include any hidden additives, preservatives or processed nasties. This means that unlike many other non-organic ice cream brands, we can provide a healthier ice cream option to any seniors who simply can’t resist the temptation to have a small bowl of the cold stuff! Organic ice creams like ours are the perfect snacking solution to satisfy any sweet cravings, without the damaging high sugar content that most other brands come with. There’s also a huge range of scrumptious flavors, including vegan ice creams, to satisfy every elderly sweet tooth and dietary requirement!

4. Fruit Smoothie

For seniors who are struggling to let go of their milkshake habits, a tasty fruit smoothie could be the perfect alternative. Unlike milkshakes, smoothies are made only from fresh fruit and with no dairy, which means they’re certainly better for an elderly gut. To make sure your smoothie has a super sweet kick, we suggest that you use as many red berries as possible as opposed to citrus fruits, and add a spoonful of honey too. This is sure to hit the sweet spot!

5. Peanut Butter

Peanut butter is another sweet treat that can be great in moderation. We recommend spreading a light layer on your morning bagel or toast to give you that sweet fix at breakfast. In small amounts, a little spoonful of peanut butter every now and again can actually have several health benefits to help seniors, such as boosting heart health and effectively managing blood sugar levels too!

The Final Scoop

So there you have it: our top five snacks that can really satisfy an older sweet tooth without hurting your health. Here at Nature’s Organic, we believe in living well at any age. We especially believe in treating yourself at any age too! After all, ice cream isn’t just for kids. Our natural ice creams are made to be enjoyed by everyone – no matter what your taste, and especially no matter what your age! There’s a flavor for every sweet tooth in our range of organic and vegan ice creams, so take a look for yourself today and get your hands on the healthy answer to your sweetest cold cravings.