Eating Tasty & Healthy, Even With Rising Inflation

The rising cost of living and high inflation in Australia have made it challenging for the over 50s community. A very concerning aspect of the financial challenges people are facing is that for some people it is impacting the quality of their daily nutrition. Eating well can be difficult for seniors living alone and can result in malnutrition and other health issues.

According to Lite n’ Easy Senior Dietitian Ashleigh Jones, a varied diet is essential for optimal nutrition as it provides a range of nutrients that help avoid deficiencies. “But as we age,” says Ashleigh, “Eating well can become more difficult, especially for those aged over fifty who live alone.”

As people age, their ability to shop for and prepare meals can become challenging. They may experience mobility issues that make it difficult to navigate grocery stores or carry heavy bags of groceries. They may also be unmotivated to cook for just one person, especially if they have been used to cooking for a family for most of their life. As a result, they may rely on ready-to-eat meals that are often high in salt, sugar, and fat, and low in essential nutrients.

This lack of access to nutritious foods can lead to health problems such as malnutrition, where the body does not get enough vitamins and minerals needed for optimal functioning. Malnutrition weakens the immune system, making it harder to fight off infections, which can result in increased susceptibility to illnesses. Moreover, a lack of essential nutrients can cause fatigue, weakness, and dizziness, which can increase the risk of falls and injuries.

“For many older adults, meal delivery services such as Lite n’ Easy can be a lifesaver. These services provide nutritious, well-balanced meals that are tailored to meet the specific needs of older adults. By delivering meals directly to their doorstep, these services eliminate the need to shop for groceries or cook meals, making it easier for seniors to get the nutrition they need to maintain their health and wellbeing.”

Eating a variety of different foods is not only important for seniors to keep things interesting, but it’s also crucial for them to achieve optimal nutrition. When we eat the same foods every day, we’re limiting the variety of nutrients we consume. On the other hand, when we try new foods and mix things up, we increase the likelihood of getting a broader range of essential vitamins and minerals. This helps us avoid nutrient deficiencies that can lead to various health problems. So, let’s keep things interesting and tasty by trying new foods and incorporating a variety of different fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins into our diet.

Ashleigh agrees, “It’s important for seniors to have a varied diet, not only to keep their interest, but also to achieve optimal nutrition. This is because when we eat a variety of different foods, we also consume a variety of different nutrients, which helps us to avoid deficiencies.”

So how does Lite n’ Easy help solve the challenge of variety, nutritional value and affordability? Ashleigh explains, “We have over 235 meals – that’s a lot of variety. They have been specially created by chefs and dietitians with nutrition and healthy ageing in mind”, Ashleigh informed us.

“In addition to Lite n’ Easy’s normal menu, My Choice is a range of high-protein dinners, soups and desserts developed specifically to help older Australians with small appetites meet their nutritional needs.

“The meals are also perfectly portioned, which means there is no wastage in your garbage bin or your wallet.”

In some cases, we understand that the home delivered meals can be purchased with Home Care Package support, so it becomes even more affordable to enjoy the convenience of having healthy, delicious meals freshly prepared and delivered to your door.

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