Summit of Uptown Offers Advice to Seniors on Diet

I’m eating what? Senior Advice from Summit of Uptown

Do you remember the first time you tasted an avocado? Now a familiar component of modern day menus in everything from sandwiches to salads and of course in guacamole, American palates weren’t acquainted with this tropical fruit until the 1950s when it was first used in salads and by the way became a popular color choice for appliances, furniture and carpeting. Discovered by Spanish explorers in the 16th Century, avocados were even described by George Washington when he visited Barbados in 1751.

While avocados no longer seem exotic to most people, today’s list of food options includes such choices as quinoa—KEEN-wah or kee-NO-wah—a vegan, vegetarian friendly, grain-like super food that can be used as a gluten-free alternative to rice and pasta and in everything from smoothies to soups and salads and even cookies. There’s also jicama—hi-ki-MAH—a crisp white edible tuber that is used in slaws and other salads that also makes a tasty pie! Another selection might be edamame—ay-duh-MAH-mee—which is just an upscale word for boiled green soy beans that taste much better than they sound and have proved to be a delicious as well as nutritious snack food. There’s no doubt that the world is getting smaller and as it does our palates can be expanded with foods that circle the globe.

And expanding our palates is important because as we age our sense of taste may be on the wane. Since research shows that our appreciation for individual tastes can change over time, we can teach ourselves to try new things. Even the most finicky eaters can come to appreciate new foods when they become familiar with them. For instance, I know someone whose Thanksgiving feast which would not be complete without the addition of Aloo Gobi, a tasty dish made with cauliflower, potatoes, peas and Indian spices. It graces the holiday table right along with the cranberry sauce, candied yams, stufffing and pumpkin pie that are more traditional components of this unique American celebration. Speaking of Thanksgiving, your holiday may have transitioned to the home of a grandchild where you may be introduced to tofurkey—a word that combines tofu and turkey—to describe a meat substitute for turkey usually made of tofu which is soybean protein.

But wherever you celebrate this year and whatever the menu promises, if what you eat is important to you, you may want to come and try the food at The Summit of Uptown where the dining experience offers both gourmet options and traditional home-style favorites. In fact, when you visit and talk to the people have transitioned their living arrangements to one of the premier retirement communities offering the best of Independent Living and personalized Assisted Living, you’ll find out that The Summit’s reputation for its good food is one of the top reasons that they chose it as their new home.

Community Christmas Tree Contest
In December The Summit of Uptown is sponsoring a community trees decorating contest. Participants include local school groups and not-for-profit organizations. What better way to bring some cheer to the community than with friendly competition, beautifully decorated trees and better yet, donations of food to benefit the Maine Township Food pantry.

In addition, we always invite community members to join us for programs and entertainment events. You can visit www.summitofuptown.com or call 847-825-1161 to find out more about programs, activities, services, and amenities at The Summit of Uptown, which has been providing quality services for seniors for more than 30 years, visit the Summit Facebook page or our website at www.summitofuptown.com.

CAPTION
Summit Chef Dave Marino and Executive Director Irene Sawka.