For many older Australians, staying healthy and independent at home is a priority. What we eat plays a big part in making that possible.
Good nutrition supports muscle and bone strength, energy levels and digestion, all of which underpin healthy ageing at home. But as we get older, shopping, planning meals and cooking every day can become harder, and access to food and nutrition support isn’t always straightforward.
Eating well shouldn’t become another chore.
Marley Spoon Accredited Practising Dietitian Elizabeth Lou says a few simple habits can help older Australians get what their bodies need, while keeping food enjoyable and manageable. Here are her top tips.
Maintaining muscle becomes increasingly important as we age, so getting enough protein matters.
According to Elizabeth, eating enough protein helps preserve muscle mass and strength. It also reduces the risk of age-related muscle loss (sarcopenia) and undernutrition and supports tissue repair and wound healing.
That doesn’t mean overhauling your diet. Eggs, yoghurt, meat, fish and legumes are easy ways to add protein across the day.
Our bones need looking after too.
Getting enough calcium in later life helps maintain bone health and skeletal strength. Milk, yoghurt and cheese can all help increase calcium intake across the day.
Rather than trying to fit every nutrient into one meal, look for chances to include a variety of nourishing foods throughout the day.
Fruit, vegetables, wholegrains and legumes do more than add colour to your plate.
They provide dietary fibre, which Elizabeth says is essential for gut health, bowel health and comfortable digestion.
Eating a variety of whole foods also provides a wider range of nutrients and helps keep meals interesting.
Sometimes the biggest barrier to eating well isn’t knowing what to eat. It’s everything that has to happen before food reaches the plate.
Shopping, carrying groceries, planning meals, chopping, and cooking can all become harder with changes in mobility, health or energy. That’s where convenient ready-to-heat meals for seniors can be a useful option.
Marley Spoon offers more than 85 options, including ready-to-heat meals, breakfasts, soups and snacks, with dietitian oversight across the range. Delivered to your door, they make eating well at home easier, with no subscription or lock-in contract.
With meal delivery costs a growing concern for many older people, Support at Home funding may help make meal delivery more accessible. Eligible participants may have up to 70% of their meal costs covered through Support at Home funding, subject to provider approval and applicable participant contributions.
For families and care coordinators helping someone plan their support, meal delivery through Support at Home is one option worth discussing.
Eating well isn’t only about nutrients. Taste, choice and enjoyment matter too. The most nutritious meal won’t help much if you don’t want to eat it.
Having plenty of choice makes it easier to find meals that suit your tastes and routine. Customers have praised Marley Spoon’s ready-to-heat meals for their taste, with more than 85 options offering variety across the week.
Most importantly, food should still be something to look forward to.
Eating well as you age doesn’t have to mean more time spent planning, shopping and cooking. Simple habits, a little convenience and food you genuinely enjoy can all help support your strength, energy and independence at home.
For eligible participants, Support at Home meals can also take some of the work out of eating well while maintaining choice and variety.
Enjoy 50% off your first order. Use code 50OFF at checkout.*
Order online at cookaborough.com/marley-spoon or call 1300 302 665.
Find out more about Marley Spoon and Support at Home
*Offer valid for new Marley Spoon customers who place their first order through cookaborough.com/marley-spoon. One-time use per customer. The offer cannot be combined with other promotions or redeemed for cash. Enter voucher code 50OFF at checkout. Valid from 12 October to 30 November 2026.
