How Older Adults Can Stay Warm, Well & Nourished
When the weather turns colder in North Devon and Exmoor, staying well-fed becomes even more important. Cold temperatures can make day-to-day routines harder, raise the risk of illness, and sometimes even dampen our appetite. But with the right approach, you can keep warm, enjoy satisfying meals, and stay healthy all season long.
This blog shares practical advice on nutrition, easy-to-make meal ideas, and local support options all designed to help older adults and their families stay well through the winter.
Why Winter Nutrition Matters
Winter places extra strain on the body. The cold can make heart and lung conditions worse, and it’s common for older adults to feel more tired, less mobile, or less inclined to cook. Eating balanced, nourishing meals is one of the simplest ways to stay well.
A good winter diet helps:
- Support your immune system – making it easier to fight off colds and flu.
- Maintain strength and energy – important if mobility is reduced.
- Regulate body temperature – hot meals help keep you warm.
If you notice sudden weight loss, looser clothes, or reduced appetite, speak to your GP early. Malnutrition can creep up slowly but early action can prevent more serious health concerns.
Simple, Wholesome Meals for Cold Days
You don’t have to be a chef to eat well during the colder months. Here are some easy, affordable meal ideas that are warming and nourishing:
- Homemade soups – Use carrots, potatoes, leeks, or parsnips, and add lentils, beans, or chicken for protein. Make a large pot and freeze portions.
- Hearty casseroles or stews – Add vegetables, beans, and your choice of meat or fish. Cook slowly to bring out flavour and make ingredients tender.
- Oven-baked dishes – Try shepherd’s pie with sweet potato topping or a vegetable bake with cheese sauce.
- Hot breakfast options – Porridge with a drizzle of honey, or scrambled eggs on wholegrain toast.
- Simple desserts – Rice pudding, stewed fruit, or baked apples provide comfort and extra calories if appetite is low.
Adding a little extra energy can help if you are struggling to eat larger meals. A sprinkle of grated cheese, a spoonful of cream in soup, or peanut butter on toast can increase calorie intake without making portions too big.
Stocking Up for Bad Weather
When icy roads or heavy rain make shopping difficult, having a small supply of nutritious staples at home can make life easier.
Great cupboard and freezer options include:
- Tinned soup, beans, and pulses
- Tinned tuna or salmon
- Wholegrain rice or pasta
- UHT or powdered milk
- Frozen vegetables and berries
- Oats, cereals, and crackers
Online grocery deliveries are widely available across the North of Devon, and many local retailers and farm shops now offer delivery or click-and-collect services. If getting to the shops is a challenge, Age Concern North Devon offer a paid shopping service, family support can help, or Home Instead care professionals can collect shopping for you, or help you to get there to shop yourself, with their support.
Easy Meals at Home
If preparing meals is becoming difficult, there are many options available for frozen meals delivered direct to your door, and usually put into your freezer. Wiltshire Farm Foods and Oakhouse Foods offer this across North Devon, and many local pubs and cafes also do local home deliveries of hot meals, particularly Sunday lunch.
Making the Kitchen Easier to Use
For some, arthritis, low strength, or balance concerns can make cooking challenging. Small adjustments can make a big difference:
- Lightweight pans and utensils are easier to handle.
- Jar openers, kettle tippers and perching stools can make cooking safer and less tiring.
- Meal prep in advance – Chopping vegetables in the morning when you have more energy can make dinner easier later.
If swallowing is difficult, a speech therapist, dietician or your GP can suggest softer food options or nutritional supplements.
Staying Warm While You Eat
The UK Health Security Agency recommends keeping living areas at 18°C or warmer during winter. If heating is a worry, small steps can help keep warmth in:
- Draught excluders and thermal curtains
- Wearing layers, socks, and slippers indoors
- Using hot water bottles or electric blankets safely
Support may be available for heating costs through schemes such as the Winter Fuel Payment or Cold Weather Payment check GOV.UK or speak to your energy supplier about eligibility.
Social Connection: Sharing Meals and Staying Positive
Cold weather can lead to isolation, which may affect appetite. Eating with others, even occasionally, can make meals more enjoyable.
- Invite a neighbour or friend for lunch.
- Join local lunch clubs or coffee mornings many run in village halls across North Devon.
- Arrange a video call with family during mealtimes if travel is difficult.
Simple contact with others can lift mood and encourage regular eating, which helps maintain strength.
A Handy Winter Wellbeing Checklist
To stay safe and well-fed this winter, keep this simple checklist in mind:
- Flu and COVID-19 jabs: Book if you are eligible.
- Medication: Order prescriptions early, especially before bank holidays.
- Food basics: Keep a stock of tinned, dried, and frozen items.
- Warmth: Test heating and have blankets ready.
- Hydration: Drink six to eight cups of water, tea, or other fluids a day.
- Meals: Plan easy hot dishes in advance.
- Emergency numbers: Keep GP, pharmacy, NHS 111 and a neighbour’s number somewhere visible.
Supporting Independence across North Devon
Winter doesn’t have to mean isolation or poor nutrition. By planning ahead, choosing simple meals, and using local support, older adults can stay safe and well-fed even during the coldest months.
At Home Instead North Devon & Exmoor, we understand how important good nutrition and warm companionship are during winter. Our Care Professionals can help with meal planning, preparation, shopping and cooking, making sure that older adults continue to enjoy nourishing meals and friendly company every day.
For more information about our home care services across North Devon and Exmoor, visithomeinstead.co.uk/North-Devon-Exmoor.
Areas We Serve
South Molton, Barnstaple, & the surrounding North Devon areas
EX31 1, EX31 2, EX31 3, EX31 4, EX32 0, EX32 7, EX32 8, EX32 9, EX33 1, EX33 2, EX34 0, EX34 7, EX34 8, EX34 9, EX35 6, EX36 3, EX36 4, EX37 9, EX39 1, EX39 2, EX39 3, EX39 4, TA22 9, TA24 7, TA24 8
Unit 1c, Lime Field, South Molton EX36 3BS, UK