Let’s be honest: not many things in life are better than a great lunch. Not only the meal, but everything that goes with it: the fragrance of something tasty cooking in the kitchen, the sound of people talking around a full table, and the joy of eating with people you care about.
Food that is excellent for you is very good for you. A balanced, healthy diet gives you energy, makes you think more clearly, and does amazing things for your mood. But what if you ate that same food with wonderful people? That’s when it turns into something else. Eating together is the best way to calm down. They make you really taste the food on your plate, talk about it for a while, and maybe even try something you wouldn’t have ordered on your own. There is solid study behind this, but to be honest, most of us already know it from experience.
This summer, we wanted to add something extra to your table. Thanks to some of the great chefs that work in Verve communities across Canada, we’ve put up a seasonal menu of healthy summer meals for seniors. There is something for every type of summer event and every course. So, put the phone down and set the table. Bon appétit!
Nutritious Greens for Better Wellness
Before we get to the recipes, a few words about greens since they truly do deserve all the praise they get. Green beans are a good source of protein, fibre, and folate, which is a B vitamin that will help your blood pressure. Asparagus has a lot of antioxidants, folic acid, and vitamins K and E. They make a great starter that tastes like it’s having fun and is beneficial for you.
Egg on Tomato, Green Bean, and Burrata Salad
Bruce Schell, the Regional Food and Beverage Manager, sent me this recipe. It looks like you put a lot of work into it, but you really didn’t. A perfectly poached egg on top of creamy burrata, juicy tomatoes, and crisp green beans. It can be a small snack, a filling meal, or an outstanding appetizer when you have friends over. Easy to make, great result.
Asparagus Wrapped in Smoked Salmon with Béarnaise Sauce
It tastes like the West Coast any time of day. Smoked salmon that is soft and silky is wrapped around crisp sautéed asparagus and topped with a warm béarnaise sauce and a little citrus to make the whole thing taste better. It really works for all three meals: brunch, lunch, and dinner. This dish will make a normal Tuesday feel special.
Healthy Summer Meals for Seniors: Easy Recipes for Strength, Wellness, and Good Living
As we get older, protein is one of the most important things we can eat. It helps move oxygen around the body, keeps blood sugar levels consistent, and provides you the kind of energy that lasts all day. These two mains do that, and they taste great while they’re doing it.
Bean Burger on the Grill
Yes, a vegetable burger. Please listen to us before you scroll down. Chef Gustavo Hernandez from The Shores of Port Credit has made something here that is just as good as anything else on the grill. It’s full of flavour, has a lot of plant-based protein, and is the kind of food that makes even the most dedicated meat eaters at the table change their minds. Start the grill and give it a try.
Chicken from Okanagan
Chef Jeremy Duncan’s this one feels like a love letter to the summer in Canada. This recipe has juicy chicken, sweet summer pears, creamy brie, toasted walnuts, and fresh herbs all in one. It feels both cozy and a little bit sophisticated at the same time. This is the kind of main dish you make when you want the meal to feel special without spending all day in the kitchen.
Leave Room for Dessert
Here’s a nice tidbit that will make you feel good: strawberries have flavonoids, which are plant components that scientists think may help slow down memory loss that comes with aging. They also assist control how your body breaks down glucose, which is very helpful for those with type 2 diabetes. Yes, dessert can be beneficial for you. When strawberries are the main event, especially.
Fresh Strawberries with Zabaglione
Dessert with eggs? Stay with us. Chef Mark Cajimat from Granville Gardens Retirement Residence produces a zabaglione that is light, silky, and just the right amount of rich. He serves it over fresh summer strawberries. It’s fancy enough to wow your guests and simple enough that you won’t mind creating it. People will probably ask for the recipe before they finish their bowl.
Crumble Cake with Strawberries and Rhubarb
And then there’s this. Chef Crystel’s Strawberry Rhubarb Crumble Cake is the warm, generous dessert with a golden top that every summer meal should end with. Rhubarb is sour, strawberries are sweet, and the crumble is buttery. It’s like cake for comfort. There won’t be any food left over. Make plans appropriately.
Food Is More Than Just Fuel
These summer meals for seniors are more like an invitation than anything else. A chance to take it easy, cook something with care, and enjoy it with the people who make your life worth living. The way we eat and who we eat with really affects how we feel, how we age, and how much we enjoy the whole experience.
At Verve Senior Living, our chefs across Canada put real love into every meal. That’s because we realize that good cuisine with good companionship is one of life’s most reliable pleasures. We’d love to keep talking. Check out our list of the 15 best meals for strength, health, and long life. Your plate is a wonderful place to start.
Enjoy your meal!
