Easier Mealtimes Start with Better Plate Colors for People with Dementia
- Elder Love USA
- Sep 9
- 3 min read
Updated: Oct 15
Feeding a loved one with a dementia can be a complex challenge.
One lesser-known but impactful factor is the color of the plates used during meals.
Knowing how plate colors influence eating can help caregivers enhance nutrition and hydration for people with dementia, making mealtimes easier and less stressful.
Dementia and Visual Perception
Dementia doesn’t just affect memory it also changes how the brain processes what the eyes see.
The areas of the brain responsible for interpreting visual information become damaged, making it harder for a person with dementia to distinguish food from the plate or separate the plate from the table or surroundings.
This visual confusion can cause anxiety, disorientation, and sometimes a loss of appetite.
Because of this, weight loss can happen. some studies estimate that up to 40% of individuals with dementia experience significant weight loss. This loss of weight can lead to muscle weakness and increase the risk of falls and other health complications.
How Plate Colors Help
Research suggests that something as simple as the color of a plate can help people with dementia eat more, more independently, and with less frustration. A study from Boston University found that people with Alzheimer’s ate 25% more food and drank 84% more liquid when using red or blue plates, cups, and utensils, compared to white or stainless-steel tableware.
There’s no one “magic” color, but the key principle is contrast. You want the food to stand out clearly against the plate, and the plate to stand out from the table.
Bright, solid colors with minimal patterns work best because they reduce confusion and make the food easier to see.
Food | Recommended Plate Color | Why It Works |
Mashed potatoes, rice, cauliflower | Bright red, blue, or dark green | Pale foods are easier to see on darker, bold plates. |
Broccoli, peas, green beans | Yellow, red, or white | Greens pop against warmer or lighter backgrounds. |
Beef, chocolate, dark foods | White or light-colored plates | Keeps darker items from blending into the dish. |
Avoid plates with busy patterns, floral designs, or glossy finishes. These can create visual clutter or glare, making it even harder for someone with dementia to see their meal clearly.
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Vancasso Multicolor Ceramic Pasta Bowls
Bold bohemian-style pasta bowls crafted from durable ceramic
Jacquard Round Placemats
Placemats with jacquard weave featuring a suede-backed non-slip surface
Color and contrast are part of a bigger picture. Here are other simple changes that can improve mealtime:
Use contrasting placemats with no designs. For example, if using a white plate, choose a dark placemat to help the plate stand out
Minimize clutter. Too many items on the table can be distracting
Improve lighting. Poor lighting can cast shadows that make food harder to recognize
Use adaptive utensils. Bright-handled utensils or weighted spoons
By paying attention to these details, caregivers can make mealtimes more enjoyable and supportive, helping their loved ones maintain better nutrition and quality of life.
This article was made by Elder Love USA.
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