What Does It Cost To Eat Healthy As A Senior?

Access to healthy, affordable, and nutritious food becomes a burden when there’s a lack of reliable transportation or when a health concern keeps you from going to the grocery store. Older adults then become reliable on friends, family members or in most cases, their communities resources. For seniors looking to maintain a healthy diet without making a significant dent into retirement savings we have put together ways and resources available to you offered through assisted living, independent living or whatever community you choose. 

Most communities offer elderly nutrition programs. Fees are typically assigned based on community location, marital status, income, and the seniors ability to pay. Here are a few reliable sources you or a loved one can sign up for:

Meals on Wheels America - www.mealsonwheelsamerica.org

Nutrition Programs for Seniors - www.nutrition.gov/subject/food-assistance-programs/nutrition-programs-seniors

Administration on Aging Senior Nutrition Programs - www.acl.gov/programs/health-wellness/nutrition-services

The benefit of being a part of your communities nutrition program is that they do everything for you. They offer well-balanced diets based on your personal health performance, provide schedules, and offer dining areas where you have to option to socialize with other members of the community. It’s needless to mention that many are hesitant to be part of a community living nutrition programs. Boring, tasteless, unhealthy food rumors are a thing of the past. Assisted and independent living communities pride themselves in providing exceptional nutrition programs to their residents at affordable prices. 

According to a study done by www.acl.gov, they reported to find the average cost of a meal to be anywhere from $10.69 to $11.06. It costs less to be a part of a program that prepares the meals at a central kitchen than it does to have a home delivery program. Geographically, it costs less to be a part of a meal delivery program in the South than anywhere else in the country. If money isn’t a concern, consider personal chefs or gourmet delivery kitchens. Personal Chef to go is a service that delivers lunches and dinner. This program follows the American Heart Association guidelines and is tailored for individuals who are serious about health or have strict diets. The program offers weekly or biweekly options and their prices range anywhere from $70 to $175. www.personalcheftogo.com

Another one of our favorites is a fairly new company called Blue Apron. This food delivery services prides themselves in using fresh and organic ingredients. Their service lets you custom tailor your meals with farm-fresh, seasonal produce, meat with no added hormones, sustainably- sourced seafood and more. The great feature about this service is that you can try for free and if you don’t like their service you can cancel anytime at no additional fees. www.blueapron.com