We’ve all tried cooking for ourselves before but let’s face it, cooking for one’s self can be difficult with a busy schedule. What many don’t recognize, however, is the many benefits of cooking like enhanced nutrition and smarter spending. These benefits also have implications for many seniors who can cook for themselves.
Nutrition is one of the most apparent benefits of cooking. While we all love to eat at restaurants, one can never be sure of what really goes into one’s food behind the scenes. For example, restaurant kitchens often indulge in extra sweet or salty recipes to attract customers with fattening flavors. MSG (Monosodium glutamate) is often added in meals to purposefully make them more addictive. It’s no wonder why chefs are rarely found eating the food of their own restaurants — it’s because they know better! In any case, cooking for oneself allows anyone to monitor their diet and consumption specific to their own health needs. This also gives seniors the confidence to tend to their own bodies.
One of the biggest benefits of cooking is financial. Grocery shopping to cook at home is significantly more economic than ordering out for every meal. According to a study conducted by Forbes, anyone can save at least $2,000 each year in dining bills, delivery fees, tips, and gas money by opting to cook at home. Since many seniors are on a fixed income, cooking for themselves gives them an opportunity to allocate those savings towards other social activities.
Aside from the obvious benefits of healthy spending and nutrition, what many don’t realize is how cooking can also introduce new flavor to one’s life. Cooking is a creative medium which can provide emotional benefits as well. Moreover, exploring new ingredients and recipes is a great way for anyone to expand one’s palate and mind. Seniors do a great service to themselves by not only receiving the physical benefits of cooking, but also these emotional benefits.
It isn’t uncommon for our aging loved ones to lose the ability to cook for themselves. Factors such as arthritis and dementia can make this difficult for seniors to care for themselves as suggested before. Fortunately, many senior living options arrange for personalized meals to be served three times a day by on-site chefs. If your loved one is in need of care, know that there are senior resource options that many can benefit from. WellPath Partners can connect any aging loved one with board and care homes, memory care facilities, and assisted living communities which offer personalized menus and scheduled meal plans to maintain nutrition and regularity without facing the stresses of planning and grocery shopping. Contact WellPath Partners today to learn more.
By Prithvi Chauhan
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