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WiregrassSeniorsMagazine . com continued from previous page Meals-on-Wheels or other similar programs where friendly drivers with nutritious meals appear at their door .
Watch the temperature . Food that is supposed to be hot tastes better when it actually is hot , and food that is supposed to be served cold tastes better when it is cold , says Jessica Crandall , RD , CDE , program director for Sodexo Wellness and Nutrition Services and an ADA spokeswoman . “ To increase the taste , you may need to make your dishes a little warmer or a little colder ,” she says .
Use more herbs and spices . Herbs and spices will add flavor without increasing your blood pressure the way that salt does , Gerbstadt says . “ There are hundreds available that will liven up any entrée or meal .” Crandall recommends basil for Italian foods ; cilantro for Mexican , Latin American , and Asian cuisine ; oregano for Italian and Greek cuisine ; and turmeric for Indian cuisine . Cooked vegetables such as beets , cabbage , carrots , potatoes , turnips , and winter squash can benefit from some caraway , and dill seeds are a great addition to rice and fish dishes . Another no- or low-sodium option is citrus juice , citrus zest , or flavored and aged vinegars , Gerbstadt says .
Try something new . “ When you try new foods and experiment with recipes , you create variety ," Crandall says . " Variety can make meals more enticing and can build better nutrition into what you ’ re eating ." Even seniors who are set in their ways can be tempted to try something new and nutritious if it contains ingredients they like .
Savor your favorite meal . People very often have a particular time of day when they have a bigger appetite . For some , it ’ s right after they wake up , so breakfast is their main meal . For others , it ’ s later in the day , when they ’ re more alert but relaxed . Pay attention to what time of day you ’ re hungriest , and then make the most out of the meal that coincides with that time .
It ’ s harder to relish food when your senses aren ’ t working the way they used to . But by taking these steps and making eating fun and social , you can continue to look forward to mealtime and get the nutrition you need .