Overcoming Roadblocks to Healthy Eating
Healthy eating can help you lose or maintain weight, feel better overall, and possibly decrease your chances of getting certain diseases. Making smart food choices is important at any age. But eating healthy can be difficult even if you know which foods you should buy and prepare. Your budget, physical issues, mood changes, and dietary restrictions can be roadblocks to eating food that’s best for you. Here are suggestions for dealing with common problems that can make it harder for older adults to follow through on smart food choices.
Trying to eat healthy on a budget?
Even when you know which healthy foods to choose, people living on fixed or limited incomes may not be able to buy what’s ideal. Start by deciding how much you can afford to spend on food.
There are a number of resources that can help you plan a food budget. For example, the U.S. Department of Agriculture supports Iowa State University’s Spend Smart-Eat Smart program. This website also features more than 100 inexpensive recipes, with nutrition information and cost per serving.
Once you have decided on your budget, look for grocery store advertising in the newspaper or online to see what is on sale. Try to plan some meals around featured items and consider purchasing extra nonperishables such as canned goods when they’re on sale. Use coupons when possible and ask your grocery store staff if they have a senior discount or loyalty rewards program. Consider buying store-brand products, which are often the same as more expensive brand-name ones. Focus on buying healthy and inexpensive produce. Many nutritious fruits and vegetables — such as bananas, apples, oranges, lettuce, green peppers, and carrots — may be reasonably priced.
Give cooking a try
It’s never too late to learn some cooking skills or refresh those you might not have used in a while. Search online to find information on basic cooking techniques and recipes. Borrow cookbooks with simple recipes and instructions from your local library or try an adult education cooking course. TV cooking shows might be helpful, too, especially if they show you step by step how to prepare and cook foods. Some meal delivery systems also include step-by-step instructions and pre-portioned ingredients. If you have questions about cooking, your local grocery store may even have cooking coaches available who can help.
Tired of cooking or eating alone?
Maybe you are tired of planning and cooking dinners every night. Have you considered potluck meals? If everyone brings one part of the meal, cooking is a lot easier, and there might be leftovers to share. Or try cooking with a friend to make a meal you can enjoy together. Food delivery services are yet another option. You could also look into having some meals at a nearby senior center, community center, or religious facility. Not only will you enjoy a free or low-cost meal, but you will also have some company while you eat. Visit the Eldercare Locator to search for centers in your area.
To learn about how to overcome roadblocks to healthy eating, from the National Institute on Aging, CLICK HERE.