The Companionship Diet: How the Dinner Table Helps Healthy Aging

Loneliness in older adults is so commonplace in America that we have internalized it as something that happens with aging. But that is not the case. Do not believe that growing old means loneliness. With a little companionship, seniors can thrive just like people in younger cohorts. And one of the best places this happens is over dinner. 

Why Companionship is Important

If you think about it, it’s very strange that we accept loneliness as a normal part of aging. It isn’t good for individuals of any age to be lonely. And in 2017, more than 13 million people 65 and up lived alone. Now, of course there are some people who prefer their solitude over constant socializing, however, prolonged isolation comes with mental and physical complications. A lack of companionship doesn’t just cause loneliness, it causes some health problems. According to the Center of Disease Control (CDC), some health problems include:

• Increased risk of premature death
• Health risks akin to that of smoking and obesity
• Increased risk of dementia by 50%
• Higher risk of heart disease and stroke
• Higher rates of anxiety and depression

So, in short, isolation has some seriously negative impacts on the sufferers. Furthermore, companionship creates positive outcomes.

The Importance of the Dinner Table for Companionship

Though most studies have been done on the young, the companionship and socialization that happens around the dinner table is difficult to dispute. There are two main reasons eating meals with others is associated with positive health outcomes:

• We eat healthier when we eat with others
• Eating alone can be isolating

We simply eat better when we eat with others because they are more often homemade or professionally made meals. When we eat alone we are more likely to snack on junk food or eat fast food. Meals consumed outside the home or community are hands-down less healthy than homemade foods or meals prepared by a professional Chef with healthy diets in mind. 

As far as isolation is concerned, the dinner table is a unifier. Sharing meals is just an excuse to catch up with each other and serves as a place of community. In many countries, mealtime is treated as a highly important daily event. And it’s for good reason, it’s a great time to socialize with friends and family. 

As for the average American, we spend almost as much on groceries as we do take out from restaurants. In America, it seems impractical to take time to eat during work hours and even dinner time at home can seem rushed. Many people don’t have time to cook a homemade meal or run to the grocery store to pick up healthy dining options. This diminishes the opportunity for quality time around the dinner table. 

This is why we should think more critically about our time around the table. Instead of viewing shared meals as a quick blip during the day, we should see it as an opportunity to connect with one another. 

Now that you’ve gotten in the right mindset for healthier living, how about keeping the positivity going? Download our eBook on how to Improve Your Fitness Over 60!