Spring Recipes for Better Hearing Month
Spring has sprung, and with the new season comes an abundance of fresh produce perfect to use in delicious, nutritious meals. If you’ve been tending to your garden following our gardening tips for seniors, you’re likely well on your way to enjoying a vitamin-rich bounty. If not, farmers in your area are sure to supply local markets and grocers with fresh fruits and vegetables.
In honor of Better Hearing Month this May, we’re sharing some tasty spring recipes loaded with ingredients that may improve hearing health for seniors and those who are hard of hearing. From beverages and snacks to main dishes and desserts, these flavor-packed dishes make the most of the season’s harvest.
Better Hearing Month Spring Recipes
Strawberry Beet Smoothie
Packed with nutrient-dense fruits and veggies, smoothies are the perfect portable breakfast or snack. Try blending up this Strawberry Beet Smoothie, which combines the potent antioxidants of beets and berries with a potassium punch from bananas. The folate in strawberries has also been shown to reduce age-related hearing loss risk.
Spring Vegetable Frittata
Eggs are a terrific source of vitamin D, which new research suggests may play a role in protecting against age-related hearing loss. Veggie-packed frittatas make for an ideal brunch or light dinner. Simply sauté vegetables, such as asparagus, bell peppers, onions, tomatoes, or spinach, before combining and baking with beaten eggs and your favorite cheeses.
Fresh Panzanella Salad
This classic Italian bread salad features crisp radishes, which provide an excellent source of vitamin C to help calm stress that can impair hearing over time. Juicy tomatoes offer up potassium to regulate fluid levels in the inner ear, and a splash of olive oil supplies anti-inflammatory properties. Chickpeas, cucumbers, basil, and crusty bread make this salad a healthy, satisfying lunch option.
Spring Green Hummus
Put seasonal greens like spinach, arugula, basil, and parsley to use in a variety of vibrant green hummus dips. Rich in folic acid as well as iron, hummus makes for a fun way to incorporate more leafy veggies. They’re also the perfect dish for sharing, allowing you to share a fresh, delicious snack with friends and family. Serve with veggie sticks or whole grain pita for an added boost of fiber and key nutrients.
Grilled Salmon with Pineapple Salsa
Salmon is an excellent way to get omega-3 fatty acids, which have anti-inflammatory properties that may help prevent hearing issues. Top grilled salmon filets with a zesty salsa featuring pineapple, red onion, jalapeño (if you like a little kick), and cilantro for some added vitamin C.
Lemon Garlic Asparagus
Asparagus spears are one of spring’s most welcomed veggie treats, full of both fiber and folate. Simply toss them with olive oil, lemon, and garlic before roasting for an easy, flavorful side dish. Cooking light proteins like chicken (or the salmon dish above) alongside the asparagus creates a complete, hearing-healthy meal.
Carrot Cake Oatmeal Muffins
These simple and healthy muffins make a great dessert for those with a sweet tooth or a satisfying, guilt-free snack. Shredded carrots provide beta-carotene to support ear health, while the oats and optional add-ins like nuts and dried fruit offer folate, vitamin E, potassium, and other essential nutrients. These muffins are naturally sweetened and packed with fiber, making for a sweet, guilt-free treat.
More Hearing Health Recipes
Looking to find even more delicious hearing health solutions through food? Try recipes with blueberries to boost brainpower, avocados for potassium and vitamin K, and walnuts for essential omega-3s. Eating a variety of nutrient-rich foods gives your hearing a natural boost that becomes more important as you age.
By mindfully filling your plate with ingredients rich in folate, antioxidants, and key vitamins, you’re giving your general hearing health powerful, all-natural support. Make the most of spring’s bounty while protecting your ears this Better Hearing Month.
