This article was created in partnership with Parsley Box and Marcela Fiuza, Registered Dietitian.
As our parents get older, cooking and eating well can become difficult. The reasons vary: reduced mobility, chronic conditions, memory loss, fatigue. The result is often the same: inconsistent meals, skipped lunches, or a reliance on snacks instead of balanced food.
As a carent, this can be worrying. You want your parent to feel well, stay strong, and enjoy food. But planning, shopping and preparing meals on top of everything else can quickly become overwhelming.
Meal delivery services can offer an easy solution for you and your loved ones.
Understand What Might Be Changing
Your parent might feel unsteady using the cooker or simply too fatigued to prepare food. For some, memory difficulties or low mood can reduce interest in eating or cause older people to overlook mealtimes altogether.
Start by noticing patterns:
-
Are they skipping meals?
-
Is there spoiled food in the fridge?
-
Do they seem more tired or weaker than usual?
-
Are they losing weight or clothes fitting differently?
These signs may suggest it’s time to rethink how food fits into their daily life.
Changing Dietary Needs
Older adults face a unique set of nutritional challenges. As we age, the body becomes less efficient at absorbing key nutrients. Appetite may decrease due to medication, changes in taste, or low mood. Eating can also become difficult in the face of health conditions like COPD, dementia, or dental problems.
At the same time, in the face of ageing-related decline, it becomes more important to maintain adequate intake of protein and essential vitamins and minerals to maintain healthy bones and muscles. This means that nutrient-dense meals – ones that provide high levels of essential nutrients – become more important than ever. These meals can help to:
-
Maintain muscle strength and reduce falls
-
Support immune function and recovery after illness
-
Prevent unintentional weight loss
-
Improve energy levels and concentration
-
Reduce the risk of malnutrition
Explore more: Our COPD and Dementia guides include more information about eating well in the face of these conditions.
Simple Tasks Can Become More Complex
Although frozen meals can be an appealing solution, these do rely on being able to safely access a freezer, or programme a microwave or oven to defrost or ‘cook from frozen’. This isn’t always easy for anyone living with frailty, mobility, or memory problems.
The Risks of Malnutrition
When preparing food becomes hard work, it is natural to choose the easiest thing, not necessarily the healthiest option.
In the UK, around 1 in 10 older people are at risk of malnutrition. It’s often hidden and not always linked to weight loss. Look for:
-
Dry skin or lips
-
Loose-fitting dentures or mouth discomfort
-
Fatigue or weakness
-
Low mood
-
Noticeable changes in how clothes fit
If you’re concerned, speak to your parent’s GP or ask for a referral to a dietitian. The earlier you act, the better.
Explore more: Our Eating Well guide includes more signs to watch for and practical ways to respond.
So, What Do Older Adults Really Need in a Meal?
From a nutritional perspective, meals for older adults should be:
-
Rich in protein – to support muscle mass and recovery. Think: chicken, lentils, fish, dairy.
-
High in healthy fats – like those from olive oil or oily fish, to support heart and brain health.
-
Packed with micronutrients – such as B vitamins, iron, calcium and vitamin D.
-
Easy to eat and digest – soft textures and smaller portions help overcome reduced appetite or dental issues.
-
Appealing and familiar – food should bring comfort and pleasure, not feel clinical or restrictive.
This is why nutrient-dense, ready-to-eat options can be a gamechanger. They take the guesswork and burden out of daily nutrition, while ensuring your parent is still getting what they need.
Meal Delivery Services
"When preparing meals becomes difficult, meal delivery services can make a real difference. Having easy access to familiar, ready-to-eat meals can encourage regular eating and take some of the pressure off carers who are juggling many responsibilities." – Marcela Fiuza, Registered Dietitian.
These services can be a game changer for you and your loved ones. Whether short-term such as after illness or long-term, they can ensure your parent always has something nourishing, tasty and ready to go if they can’t get to the shops or prepare a meal themselves.
Meal delivery services can bring ready-to-eat meals directly to your loved ones’ homes. They can often cater to various dietary needs, including low-sodium, diabetic-friendly, or texture-modified diets, ensuring that older adults receive appropriate nutrition without the burden of cooking.
You and your parent can select and book these meals from the comfort of their own home and know that the delivery personnel will be suitably checked and briefed to deliver the meals appropriately.
Services vary, from pre-paid weekly subscriptions to “as-you-like” orders on a schedule that works for your parent’s eating habits.
Usually, they entail delivery of frozen ready meals but Parsley Box offers a different service, specifically with older adults in mind.
Here's how it's different:
-
No freezer needed – Thanks to an innovative retort cooking process, meals are shelf stable for up to six months, so there’s no need for heavy freezer drawers or batch-cooking. They’re ready in minutes and stored easily in a cupboard. With no subscription, you can order enough to keep your parent stocked up without worrying about expiry dates or spoiled food.
-
Simple to prepare – Heating a meal takes just a few minutes in the microwave. That means no pans, ovens, or long waiting times – ideal for someone living alone or struggling with fatigue.
-
Nourishing, comforting options – Meals are designed to be both nourishing and familiar. They’re gentle on the digestive system, often featuring soft textures, smaller portions, and balanced ingredients, with no unnecessary preservatives added during the cooking process.
-
Supports independence – Your parent can choose their meals, heat them themselves, and eat at their own pace. It’s about making nutrition easier, not taking control away.
You’re Not Alone
Mealtimes don’t have to be a source of stress, and neither do conversations about food. Support is out there, and small changes can make a big difference.
If you’re feeling the strain of managing everything alone, join our Carents Community. It’s a space to connect with others in the same boat, share ideas and find encouragement on the days you need it most.
Partner Note
This article was created in partnership with Parsley Box, a UK-based provider of ready-to-eat meals designed with older adults in mind. To explore their menu or request a printed catalogue, visit ParsleyBox.com or call 0131 326 0131.
New customers can use code CARENTS at checkout to receive £10 off their first order over £40 or more (terms apply).
Carents.co.uk only features partners whose values align with ours: supporting families navigating caring for elderly parents with compassion, dignity and practical advice.
