Staying Healthy

Ways to dig out of a dietary rut

Trying new foods, cooking in batches, and inviting friends to dinner give mealtime some zing.

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 Image: © OksanaKiian/Getty Images

You may be bored if you're eating the same foods all the time. Even worse, you may be missing out on important nutrients from foods that aren't part of your regular diet. And if that's the case, you're not alone. "I see it a lot with older adults. Their diet isn't great. They get into a rut and cook simple meals, or they rely on prepared food," says dietitian Teresa Fung, adjunct professor in the nutrition department at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.

Why the rut?

There are many reasons why people get into a menu rut or stop eating healthy, nutritious foods in older age. It may be that you're

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