As we age, our dietary needs change. Many foods are restricted based on health issues and medications can affect the flavor of foods. Also, our sense of smell and taste and our appetites change as we get older, often making it necessary to adjust how meals are prepared.

Some tips for meal planning for seniors:

1. Prepare meals that are simple to chew and swallow – Dry foods can be difficult for seniors to swallow since we make less saliva as we age, so softer, smaller, less chewy foods are easier to eat. Also, many seniors wear dentures and it’s often difficult to chew tough meat or raw vegetables.

2. Make meals nutrient-dense – Since appetites tend to diminish as we get older, it’s important to prepare or use recipes that are also low in fat and sodium and high in fiber and calcium for proper nutrition in smaller portions.

3. Serve low sodium foods – Many seniors have high blood pressure and other issues aggravated by excessive sodium intake. Foods with little or no sodium are usually best.

4. Include flavorful foods – A restricted diet doesn’t have to mean a flavor restriction, too. Medicines and well as the aging process can also cause a diminished sense of taste, and therefore a senior might not be interested in eating when everything tastes bland. Herbs and spices such as olive oil and vinegars, garlic, onions and spices, including cinnamon, cloves, ginger and turmeric when appropriate in a recipe can make a meal more flavorful.

For more information and ideas, the Virginia Tech Virginia Cooperative extension offers some great nutrition advice for Senior Adults and AARP Magazine has an extensive database of senior-friendly recipe ideas.

-Elizabeth Thielke