The Parsley Box Guide to Solo Dining

There are many reasons why you or a loved one might find mealtimes less of a pleasure with age. Challenges like reduced mobility, altered taste sensations, medication or the loss of a partner can transform the dining experience. Eating alone might seem daunting, but it can also be an opportunity for culinary self-discovery.

Inspired by those who love cooking and dining solo, we’ve teamed up with Age Space, your trusted source for elderly care, to bring you this guide. Inside, you’ll find practical tips to make solo mealtimes enjoyable and meaningful.

The Silver Lining of Solo Dining

Dining alone isn’t a limitation – it’s an opportunity for personal culinary freedom. You have complete control over what you eat and when, including personalised diet plans. You can combine your mealtime with your favourite entertainment, watching a favourite TV show or listening to an audiobook. Even better – there are fewer dishes to wash.

Dining solo will take time to adjust to, but the joy of food will prevail.  Here are some practical tips to help:

• Establish regular mealtimes: it can be easy to ignore regular mealtimes and snack or graze throughout the day. Instead, try and help to create a daily routine that includes mealtimes – not only will it give structure to the day, but also the chance to eat properly, and provide opportunities to socialise with friends and family.
• Plan ahead: rather than taking each day as it comes, encourage a bit of meal planning over a week; not only will this save money, but again, it will add some structure to the week, particularly if your relative is getting to grips with living alone.
• Mix It Up: avoid monotony by varying meals and options. Rotate between cooking old favourites, ordering meals, and trying new recipes.  Eating with friends or family on different days, perhaps going out for lunch or afternoon tea; this variety can make mealtimes more exciting and something to look forward to.
• Little and often: if the prospect of sitting down to a proper meal is of no interest, then encourage regular, smaller plates of favourite foods and healthy snacks.
• On a tray or at a table: it really doesn’t matter where someone prefers to eat;  a tray in the garden shed, in front of a favourite TV programme or the news, or at the table with napkins, candles and the best crockery;  food is after all as much about pleasure as anything.

The Ready Meal Revolution

The ready meal has revolutionised mealtimes, particularly for those who don’t like or aren’t able to get to the shops or cook from scratch as much as they would like. For those dining solo, ready meals provide delicious options in the right portion size.

Parsley Box has done all the thinking, creating a wide and ever-expanding range of main meal options, side dishes and puddings. We even offer single serve wines and other drinks.

Ready meals are also ideal for entertaining friends and family. Say goodbye to stressful menu planning, shopping and laborious cooking. Simply pop your meals in the microwave and spend more time with the people you love.

Single portion ready meals are also available from supermarkets, and of course there are meal kit delivery options too – with ingredients and a recipe – although it can seem a waste of money to buy small amounts of particular ingredients for a single meal.

Cooking for One

If you, your parent or relative is just starting to cook and eat alone there are a few practical suggestions to help with what can be a difficult transition:

• Experiment Gradually: Start by making small changes to old routines. Try one new recipe or ready meal each week. Small steps can build confidence over time.
• Celebrate Small Wins: Whether trying a new dish or enjoying a virtual meal with a friend, there’s always a reason to celebrate. Even if it doesn’t feel like you’ve done much, celebrate the wins!
• Community Groups: Look for local classes or groups that offer cooking or dining opportunities. Many organisations such as lunch clubs, church groups, and local charities are dedicated to helping older adults navigate these changes.

Transitioning to eating along can be daunting. It can feel like a waste of time to start from scratch every day, and the temptation to snack only when hungry may be strong. With time and encouragement, this will become a pleasurable experience.

• Batch Cook: Prepare larger portions of favourite recipes and freeze individual servings. This means you only need to cook once and can enjoy a home-cooked meal several times throughout the week. Buying in bulk also helps keep your ingredient shopping affordable.
• Simple Recipes for Solo Cooking: Choose recipes that are quick and easy, such as One-pot meals, casseroles, and stir-fries. Websites and cookbooks specifically designed for single servings can offer inspiration and step-by-step guidance.
• The Right Equipment: A microwave, slow cooker, pressure cooker, or air fryer can make cooking more straightforward and less time-consuming. These appliances often require minimal preparation and can produce delicious meals with little hands-on time.
• Portion Control: Use smaller cookware and plates to help manage portions and avoid food waste.
• Let someone else do the cooking!: Keep ready meals on hand for the days when cooking simply feels like too much. Parsley Box meals are cooked using an innovative process which allows your meals to be stored in the cupboard for up to 6 months, so you always have something ready to enjoy. View our menu here!

Try Using Technology to Share Dining Experiences

Eating alone doesn’t mean you have to dine in complete isolation. Modern technology offers several ways to connect with others, even if you are physically apart:

• Virtual Dining: encourage your parents or relatives to eat in virtual company with friends or family: Platforms like Zoom and FaceTime provide easy tech to connect at any time of day.
• Online Cooking Classes: a great way to learn new recipes and techniques from the comfort of your own kitchen. These classes are not only educational but also provide an opportunity to meet others who share an interest in cooking.

Technology in the form of audiobooks, podcasts, favourite music or just the radio or TV, are excellent meal companions – they’ll never ask for a bite of your meal!

Embrace the Journey

The prospect of cooking and eating solo can be daunting.  It can also be an opportunity to celebrate and reflect: recreating beloved recipes that continue to be followed decades on, or experimenting with something new.  Whether starting from scratch with ingredients or having a ready meal delivered to the front door,  there is always joy to be found in food, even when going solo.

Let Parsley Box do the cooking for you - view our menu here.