Ideas For Healthy Meals For Elderly Who Have Lost Their Appetite

Why Do Seniors Lose Their Appetite?

Here are several possible reasons why foods once enjoyed no longer appeal to a senior:

• Dentures – Poorly fitting dentures can cause gum discomfort that makes chewing painful. Have the dentist adjust their dentures or replace them with a new set.
• Swallowing Difficulties – Some seniors have a swallowing impairment that keeps them from eating as they should.
• Sensory Changes – As the aging process continues, it is not uncommon for a senior’s sense of taste and smell to change. As a result, foods once enjoyed are no longer appetizing.
• An Illness – Certain types of diseases can diminish appetite, like periodontal disease, cancer, thyroid abnormalities, and Alzheimer’s.
• Medications –Some prescription medications can cause side effects including nausea and loss of appetite. Chemotherapy and radiation are notorious for turning patients off to food.
• Loneliness and Depression – When an elderly person loses a spouse or becomes socially isolated for another reason, the resulting loneliness and depression can cause a diminished appetite.

Try These Healthy Meal Options

It's time to test some new menu items when a senior's preferences in some of their favourite foods change. Here are some mouthwatering food suggestions they can try while still giving their bodies the daily calories and nutrients they require:

Breakfast

• Crockpot oatmeal
• Whole-grain pancakes or waffles
• Hard-boiled eggs
• Greek yogurt parfaits
• Toast and peanut butter

Lunch

• Pasta dishes that contain fish or chicken
• Omelets
• Salads with lots of fresh vegetables
• Stir-fry dishes

Dinner

• Rice and beans
• Liver and vegetables
• Pasta with chicken or shrimp
• Salads containing vegetables and chicken

A crockpot is a practical tool for quickly preparing meals for many days in advance when you're in a rush. For wholesome snacks, you can also prepare fresh fruit and vegetables in advance and keep them in the refrigerator. Provide foods from the fundamental food groups to your elderly loved ones every day to keep their bodies robust and healthy. Consult a qualified dietician if you need more recipes for wholesome meals.

Consider A Meal Service

Notably, when you live far away, another reliable option is arranging for a meal service to deliver some nutritious dishes right to your loved one’s door.

The inability to consume solid food

Try giving your loved one a nutritious smoothie or milkshake that you mix in the blender with ingredients like Greek yoghurt, fresh fruit, milk, ice cream, or protein powder if they have trouble swallowing or chewing. Alternatively you might get them some liquid nutrition pills that are ready to drink. The nutritional and calorie content of a high-protein shake or smoothie is equivalent to that of a small meal. When solid food is not a possibility, pureed meals, nutritious broths, and applesauce also function well.