The Surprising Impact of Plate Color on Appetite
For many families and caregivers, ensuring a person with dementia eats and drinks enough can be a constant struggle. Factors like a decreased sense of taste and smell, distraction, or simply forgetting to eat all play a role. However, a less obvious and often overlooked cause is changes in visual perception.
As dementia progresses, many individuals lose their ability to perceive contrast and depth. This can make light-colored food served on a white or pastel plate, set on a similarly colored tablecloth, virtually invisible. The food, plate, and table all blend together, creating visual confusion that discourages eating. This phenomenon, known as contrast sensitivity deficiency, can lead to reduced caloric intake, dehydration, and significant weight loss.
The Landmark Study on Red and Blue Plates
In 2004, a groundbreaking study from Boston University confirmed the profound effect of visual contrast on food intake for people with advanced Alzheimer's disease. Researchers served meals to patients using standard white plates and then repeated the process with bright red plates. The results were dramatic and astonishing: patients eating from the red plates consumed approximately 25% more food than those using white plates.
A follow-up study also tested high-contrast blue tableware and found significant increases in both food and liquid intake. While hue itself was less important than contrast, the key takeaway was that using vividly colored tableware creates a powerful visual cue that helps distinguish the food from its background, overcoming the perceptual challenges of dementia. The red color, in particular, proved highly effective.
Why High Contrast Works
The brain of a person with dementia may have difficulty processing subtle visual information. A high-contrast color scheme simplifies the visual task of identifying the meal. Imagine trying to find a glass of milk on a white table while your vision is impaired; it's nearly impossible. The high-contrast color acts like a spotlight, drawing attention to the food and making it easier to locate, scoop, and eat.
This simple, non-pharmacological intervention has been widely adopted in many caregiving settings and homes. It's an empowering strategy because it gives caregivers a direct and practical way to improve their loved one's nutrition and overall well-being. Using redware or blue dishes also often comes with the added benefit of boosting mood and encouraging socialization during meals, as found in other observational studies.
Beyond Plate Color: Creating an Optimal Mealtime Environment
While the color of the plates is crucial, it is just one part of a comprehensive strategy for managing eating challenges in dementia. A holistic approach can make an even bigger difference.
Creating a Calm, Focused Setting
- Reduce Distractions: Turn off the TV and radio to minimize overstimulation and help the person focus on their meal.
- Maintain Routine: Serve meals at the same time and in the same consistent, familiar place each day to provide a structured and reassuring environment.
- Minimize Clutter: Keep the table setting simple, using only necessary items to prevent confusion.
Preparing and Serving Food
- Serve One Item at a Time: Overwhelming a plate with too many options can be confusing. Offer one course or food item at a time to simplify the task of eating.
- Use Adaptive Utensils: Utensils with larger, easier-to-grip handles or inner-lip plates can assist with independent eating.
- Check for Swallowing Issues: As dementia progresses, swallowing difficulties can arise. Consider softer textures, cutting food into smaller pieces, or pureeing food if necessary.
A Comparison of Tableware Color Effects
| Tableware Color | Observed Effect | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| Bright Red | Up to 25% increase in food intake; up to 84% increase in liquid intake | Provides a high contrast against most foods and tablecloths, making the food highly visible and perceptually salient. |
| Bright Blue | Significant increase in food and liquid intake | Also offers high contrast, but research shows slightly lower liquid intake improvements compared to red. |
| White/Pastel | Increased risk of reduced food intake | Can blend in with lighter-colored foods (e.g., potatoes, chicken, milk) and tablecloths, causing visual confusion and making it hard to locate the meal. |
| Patterned | Potentially distracting and confusing | The busy patterns on the plate can overwhelm the visual field and make it difficult to focus on the food. |
Practical Recommendations for Caregivers
Implementing these strategies can be a journey of trial and error. The goal is to create a positive, supportive, and safe environment that encourages eating without pressure. Remember to be patient and adapt your approach as the person's needs change. For additional guidance on creating a supportive mealtime environment, the National Institute on Aging offers excellent resources for caregivers(https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/alzheimers-caregiving/tips-caregivers-helping-people-alzheimers-disease-eat-well).
Conclusion
When asking what color plates for dementia are best, the clear answer is brightly colored, high-contrast tableware, with red and blue being particularly effective choices backed by research. These simple visual aids can make a profound difference in encouraging adequate nutrition and hydration. By combining the right plate color with a calm, routine-based mealtime environment, caregivers can help ensure their loved one's nutritional needs are met, contributing to their overall health and quality of life.
