Does eating alone cause you to struggle with food choices causing you to lose interest in eating? Often food tastes better when we can enjoy the companionship of those we eat with. Living alone often causes us to neglect to eat nutritious meals because there is less incentive to cook. Too often the diets of those eating alone are below par in needed nutrients due to snacking throughout the day or indulge at one meal and skipping others.

Nutritional needs are important at every stage of life. But as we age, many new factors can come into play that result in changes in dental health, finances, medications and appetite, making eating a real challenge.

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Here are some tips to make the most of eating by yourself:

·   Eat four to six smaller meals, as they may be easier to digest.

·   Dress up the dinner table with a placemat, flowers or candles.

·   Eat colorful foods to make the meal look more appealing.

·   Try comfort foods in the morning, like oatmeal with milk.

·   Include a variety of textures at a meal. Adapt these textures to your chewing ability… soft vegetables or fruits.

·      If possible, increase your physical activity level to perk up a weary appetite.

·   Invite a friend over for a meal or eat out with friends.

·   Prepare a new recipe once a week and offer to share it with a neighbor.

·   Buy prepackaged mixed salad greens, which can be a great source of vitamins A and C. Combine a prepackaged frozen entree with fresh or frozen vegetables and fresh fruits.

·   When you cook, make a large batch of food and freeze left overs in small portions for later.

·   Include plenty of calcium rich foods… milk with vanilla wafers, pudding or macaroni and cheese.

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February 06, 2008