Over 50 and back in the kitchen for fun and nutrition

After a lifetime of cooking for a family, seniors can find themselves happily in the kitchen again.

In fact, cooking can actually be fun when there are no picky children and no stresses of schedules.

Since most older people don’t need to eat as much as they did in the past, there is a tendency to snack and go for easy microwave dinners, rather than plan meals. But browsing food this way may be unsatisfying and, as a sense of taste reduces with age, just plain boring.

The good news is that cooking can make more interesting meals, improve nutrition and even help in maintaining weight.

Soups and stews top the list because they can be fun to make and are easy for people with dentures. Plus they offer liquids, very important for keeping healthy. Try making your favorite vegetable beef combo in a slow cooker.

You can also cook those old-fashioned foods that you ate as a child. Try white beans, for example, in the slow cooker. Go easy on the salt for heart health, but add onion or garlic for a little punch.

As you age, you may find you develop a sweet tooth. That’s not unusual since the taste of sweets lasts longest. For dishes healthier than the candy dish, try naturally sweet foods such as fruit and yams.

You don’t even have to use a stove for a fun meal. Try experimenting with sliced meats and cheese rolled up into a easy taco. Thing ham slices rolled over swiss cheese make a tasty lunch. Add spicy brown mustard for a zing.

Microwave idea
If you hate food splattering in your microwave, put a coffee filter over the dish or bowl.

Amp up your hot tea
To make the best cup of tea, always start with very hot water. Then, instead of sugar, drop in a hard candy like a mint or lemon drop.