By Connie Chow, Founder at DailyCaring
Caregivers struggle to nourish seniors with no appetite
Getting seniors who have no appetite to eat can be a challenge.
There are many reasons why some older adults lose their appetite or refuse to eat.
But that doesn’t change the fact that you’re worried about them and are doing your best to give them the nutrition they need.
Sometimes simple changes can make a big difference. We share 6 suggestions for encouraging seniors who have lost their appetite to eat.
When trying these ideas, be patient, be creative, keep experimenting, and do your best not to get discouraged.
First, rule out serious health problems
The first and most important thing to do is rule out serious health conditions, medication side effects, or dental problems as the cause of their loss of appetite.
If these issues aren’t causing the loss of appetite, your best bet is to experiment with different ways to get your older adult to eat.
6 ways to get seniors with no appetite to eat
1. Have a regular meal and snack schedule
Having a regular daily routine and serving food at roughly the same times every day helps their body be ready to eat at those times.
Don’t rely on your older adult’s ability to feel their hunger (it declines with age) before giving them food.
2. Serve smaller portions of high nutrient foods
Some people may feel overwhelmed if they see a large amount of food in front of them. Instead of a big plate, serve smaller portions.
Or, you could try switching to a daily routine where your older adult eats 5 small meals instead of 3 larger ones.
Boost the healthy calories in those smaller servings by adding:
- Avocado
- Finely chopped meat, cheese, egg
- Olive oil
- Peanut or other nut butters
- Soft cheeses like ricotta or mascarpone
To save time, you can still cook food in larger batches. Just store it in smaller individual containers so it’s easy to heat and serve.
3. Reduce the need for utensils
The frustration of not being able to use a spoon, fork, or knife could make some older adults not want to eat at all.
To help them eat more easily, try serving foods that can be eaten without utensils or trying adaptive utensils.
Some suggestions:
- Chicken strips or nuggets
- Fish sticks
- Steamed or raw veggies like carrots, broccoli, bell pepper strips, or cucumber pieces
- Meatballs
Some people might prefer to graze throughout the day rather than eat full meals. That’s ok too.
Keep plenty of healthy, delicious, and easy-to-eat snacks available so they’re choosing from nutritious options.
Some suggestions:
- Cheese sticks or string cheese
- Full-fat yogurt
- Diced fruit, fresh or packaged
- Peanut butter and crackers
- Cheese and crackers
- Full-fat cottage cheese
- Whole milk or chocolate milk
5. Make milkshakes or smoothies
If chewing is difficult or tiring, even with small pieces of food, consider serving softer or more liquid-y foods.
Some suggestions:
- Nutritious soups – enhanced with cream, olive oil, or pureed meats and veggies
- Healthy smoothies – add bananas, fruit, full-fat yogurt, or veggies like carrots and spinach
- Hot cocoa
- Full-fat milk
- Milkshakes – good quality ice cream is better than eating nothing!
Important: This is not a safe solution for those with dysphagia (swallowing problems).
6. Keep track of what works
Take notes so you can keep track of the foods that your older adult enjoys, things they don’t like, and things that might be difficult to eat or are harder to digest.
You can also track what times of day they’re more willing to eat or when they have a better appetite.
Keeping track lets you experiment more with things that are working and avoid the things that aren’t.
Next Step Get 9 more ideas for encouraging seniors with no appetite to eat
Recommended for you:
- Why Do Seniors Lose Their Appetites? 10 Possible Reasons
- 9 More Ways to Get Seniors with No Appetite to Eat
- 6 Ideas to Get Seniors to Drink More Water
Peggy
I make my mom a fruit shake made with strawberry Haggen Das ice cream, half and half, 1/2 “Very Vanilla” Boost, and strawberries, banana, blueberries or peaches. I make extra so I can save the rest for another time. Also, root beer floats. It’s really difficult to get her to eat !
DailyCaring
That sounds delicious! Thanks for sharing.
Gwennor
I don’t know what you think of this but my mum who is 96 enjoys a glass of red wine. In France we say that wine opens your appetite!
DailyCaring
Thanks for sharing! Yes, a small serving of alcohol can work well as an appetite stimulant as long as they enjoy it and it’s safe for their health conditions and medications (check with their doctor first).
It’s #8 in our companion article 9 More Ways to Get Seniors with No Appetite to Eat https://dailycaring.com/9-more-ways-to-get-seniors-with-no-appetite-to-eat/
Lynn
Hi; Taking care of my 92 yr old father-in-law, he had shingles, heart-attack and now ernia, he has pain, appetite loss, sleeps a lot and is starting to have memory loss, since about last august. He lives next to us. If nobody would be there at mealtime he would not eat, he says he doesn’t smell or have any taste for food. He’s lost about 10 to 15 pounds since then. We try motivating him anyway we can but now at our wits end, help Lynn
DailyCaring
Since your father-in-law is living with several serious health conditions, it may be helpful to see the doctor for a full review of all his current medications. It’s possible that some medication may be affecting his appetite or changing his ability to taste or smell.
Another thing to discuss with the doctor is pain management. When someone is in a lot of pain, that can cause them to lose their appetite as well.
This article may also give some additional ideas of things that may be affecting his appetite – 10 Reasons Why Seniors Lose Their Appetite https://dailycaring.com/why-do-seniors-lose-their-appetites/
Anna Graham
My uncle has loose dentures. He uses a denture fixative, but it only works up to a point. To make eating more pleasant, I follow many of the recommendations above. I love to maintain a (flexible) routine. Cutting food up very small pieces helps enormously. In addition, I have some tips: 1. play classical music during mealtimes 2. use a bib to protect garments 3. use the person’s favourite plates and dishes 4. eat together 5. make conversation at mealtimes and 6. occasionally make a chocolate malted: approx. 1/2 cup chocolate ice cream, 1/2 cup milk, 3 tablespoons Briess Traditional Dark Dry Malt Extract. Blend and serve!!! (This reminds many older adults of after-school drugstore counter soda fountain Chocolate Malteds of the 1920’s – 40’s.)
DailyCaring
It’s wonderful that you’ve found strategies that work well for your uncle. Thank you for sharing these great tips and the delicious recipe!
Avril Robson
I make a smoothie for myself I’m 85 , and for people who like fruit:
Juice of 1 orange
Half a banana
Good tablespoon of berries ( frozen are good )
Blend together and drink .
DailyCaring
That sounds delicious and nutritious! Thanks for sharing your recipe.
mampo
I love everything i had .l also need help with mother that she have a loss of appetite ever since she fall on the bed and crack the groin bone .My mother is 86years.
DailyCaring
We’re so sorry to hear about your mother’s fall. Hopefully the suggestions in this article will be helpful. We’ve also got more suggestions here – 9 More Ways to Get Seniors with No Appetite to Eat https://dailycaring.com/9-more-ways-to-get-seniors-with-no-appetite-to-eat/
Nonna
Hi, thts all great ideas; but my dad is 82 and can’t have alot of those foods. He’s a diabetic w kidney issues as well as other things.
So wht do I do?
DailyCaring
Since your dad has specific dietary restrictions, it would be best to ask his doctor or nutritionist for advice. They can make recommendations that are safe and healthy for him.
KDJ
This doesnt help if the senior has been picky about food since they were three, theyre taste buds are gone because they are so old and all they can taste are foods high in sugar and salt, and they have high blood pressure and diabetes so those foods are not allowed. I take care of a 92 year old that eats the same breakfast everyday, 2 different lunches, and two different dinners, as over an 8 year period of time, they have stopped liking almost everything. Soon, she will probably have to be fed intraveiniously or tubes into her stomach directly, as well as water/fluid intake, as she refuses to drink liquids as well.
DailyCaring
That’s definitely a challenging situation. In cases like these where someone has strong preferences and serious health conditions, it may be best to work with a doctor and nutritionist to find foods that will work for the person’s specific needs.
In case it’s helpful, we’ve got some suggestions on how to encourage someone to take in more fluids – 6 Ideas to Get Seniors to Drink More Water https://dailycaring.com/6-ideas-to-get-seniors-to-drink-more-water/
Margie Gonzalez
My mom is 98 and her appetite is not as good as before. She has coffee with almond milk with crackers in the morning. After that she don’t want to eat. She likes vanilla wafers cookies and sips on water during the day. Dinner time she don’t want to eat like before I would have to spoon feed her and beg her to take some bites what can I do to get her appetite back
DailyCaring
Hopefully some of the above suggestions will be helpful in encouraging your mom to eat. You may also want to investigate to see if you can find the cause for her loss of appetite. This article might be helpful — Why Do Seniors Lose Their Appetites? 10 Possible Reasons https://dailycaring.com/why-do-seniors-lose-their-appetites/
KDJ
Coffee is a natural appetite suppresant. i would oust the coffee.
DailyCaring
Everyone’s body responds differently to different foods and drinks. Some may find coffee to reduce their appetite and others might not be affected. The only way to know what works for someone’s specific tastes and body is to test it out.
Diane
Any good smoothie recipes.
My mom does not like vegetables, meat, eggs, yoghurt, or cottage cheese.
She has a sweet tooth – DY’s no to spaghetti bolognause but yes to jelly worms.
She grazes throughout the day-
It’s difficult
Diane
I mean- has anyone got easy smoothie recipient they can recommend. She does not like Ensure or protein shakes or heavy soups. Just difficult
DailyCaring
We’ve got some healthy, nutritious smoothie suggestions that your mom might like and that might help you think of additional recipes that she might like — 10 Quick and Easy Dysphagia Diet Recipes (for Swallowing Problems): 5 Ingredients or Less https://dailycaring.com/10-quick-and-easy-dysphagia-diet-recipes-for-swallowing-problems-5-ingredients-or-less/
Ross
Old mother eating only 1spoon rice she had brain stroke before now on bed
DailyCaring
We’re so sorry to hear about your mother’s stroke. It’s important to let her doctor know that she’s not eating and to get their recommendation on how to help her.
Jannie
I make my moms shake with soy or almond milk, frozen fruits and add protein mix .and she loves it strawberry mango and pineapple are delicious.
DailyCaring
That sounds amazing and so tasty!
Tina
Crushed ice; 1 pitted peach; vanilla yogurt; splash of milk.
DailyCaring
Thanks for sharing, that sounds delicious!
Rhonda Murphy
Im now caring for my Dad after he had a stroke. His appetite has been bad, he complains nothing tastes good. I love the smoothie idea and hope he likes it too. Thank you so much! 🙏🏻
DailyCaring
So glad these suggestions are helpful! I hope his recovery is going as well as possible and that his appetite improves ❤️
Rosie Rangel
My dad is 87 and was hospitalized for 11 days. He had abdominal surgery, surgery went well but got him home and all he does is sleep. No appetite. I’m worried
DailyCaring
It’s good that you’re monitoring his condition carefully. You should contact his doctor immediately to let them know your concerns and ask what should be done.
We’ve got some tips on what to do after a hospitalization to help an older adult recover successfully or know if they need to return to the hospital:
— This Hospital Discharge Checklist Prepares Seniors for Successful Recovery https://dailycaring.com/this-hospital-discharge-checklist-prepares-seniors-for-successful-recovery/
— 4 Ways to Know If Seniors Need to Return to the Hospital https://dailycaring.com/4-ways-to-know-if-seniors-need-to-return-to-the-hospital/
Maria
My mom is 90 and has dropped roughly 16 pounds in a year, she eats very little and says she’s never hungry. I have to really beg her to eat. Just took her for check up and everything seems fine. Waiting in blood results but in the meantime what should I do?
DailyCaring
It’s good that the doctor did exams and blood tests to rule out serious health conditions and medication side effects as the cause for her poor appetite and weight loss. Another thing to check is to see if any dental issues could cause her to not want to eat.
If there’s nothing that’s physically causing pain or other issues, here are suggestions for improving appetite (in addition to the 6 in the article on this page):
— Why Do Seniors Lose Their Appetites? 10 Possible Reasons https://dailycaring.com/why-do-seniors-lose-their-appetites/
— 9 More Ways to Get Seniors with No Appetite to Eat https://dailycaring.com/9-more-ways-to-get-seniors-with-no-appetite-to-eat/
Daniel
Hi my Dad is in hospital with no appetite especially hospital food. Mum cooked him up some pumpkin soup with garlic, red unions, leek bacon blended it up and he woofed it down he took his medicines.
We’re doing the same today with finely chopped up chicken,
Dan
DailyCaring
Those are wonderful ideas for tasty, appealing, and easier to eat meals! So glad your dad is enjoying these thoughtful meals while he’s recovering.
Jill Vasos
I have found that pureed cream soups work well. I use heavy whipping cream for the calorie density
DailyCaring
Excellent suggestions! Thank you for sharing 🙂
Carolyn
This is not helping my issue. I’m looking for ideas to cook for my mom she’s a senior in her own home dealing with an issue health wise that has caused her to loss 15pds in a month . Her appetite is nothing is appealing. And when she does try..she sometimes get the reflex in her throat and she’s done or she manages to eat very little. I now axienty and stress has a lot to do with it. But her foods are not what u mention. She don’t eat yougurt, cheese , avaucado .etc the new foods She’s old fashion food. Smoothies is a no. Milkshakes yes ..but she also takes ensures . She needs the nutrients in her daily meals. I well just have to try on my own.
DailyCaring
It sounds like quite a challenge to keep your mom’s nutrition up. You may want to consult a doctor to find out the cause of her lack of appetite and her swallowing problems. It’s possible that there’s a medical or physical problem that needs to be addressed. And you may also want to keep experimenting since you know your mom’s food preferences the best. In case it helps, we also have another article with more suggestions — http://dailycaring.com/9-more-ways-to-get-seniors-with-no-appetite-to-eat/
Diane
Your story is exactly my mom’s. Have you found anything to work?
Avis
My mother had the same issues. Eventually she wouldn’t drink the ensures. She ended up being weak and went to hospital with her potassium and sodium being really low. She complained that everything got stuck in her throat as she ate less and less and got weak. Hospital ran tons of test and said her throat was good but she had beginning stages of dementia. They told me to have her swallow hard as they though liquid was remaining had the base of her throat a little, maybe from allergies. We later found out she had thrush and she was given medicine for it. I try and give her yogurt. I got her the tasty fruit flavored yogurt and put it in a bowl and told her it was pudding. She tried it and liked it. Although she had always said she hated yogurt. Off and on she has the thinks get stuck in her throat and I tell her to swallow hard and it seems to work so that she eats enough.
Raymond Howard
The smoothie idea is great. I’ve been doing smoothies for a while now with my mother of 89 that has Alzheimer’s. I can add coconut oil to them easily which seems helpful for her. She loves the flavor of the smoothies and it’s a great way to get fruits, vegetables, and other nutrients into her that she normally wouldn’t get. I have found that cutting food into smaller pieces, using processors to soften or puree some foods can mean the difference between eating one or two bites or more. I also add honey or Xylitol to sweeten some things and that seems helpful.
DailyCaring
That’s wonderful! It’s great that you found so many ways to help your mom enjoy food and eat more ❤
Fagmeda
Hi. My mom has mouth cancer and the cancer made a hole in her cheek. She can’t understand what is happening to her and is very confused. She don’t want to eat and sleep the whole day. I tried to feed her with a syringe but she don’t eat a lot. Must I wake her to feed her? She is awake in the morning for me to feed her but at supper time she is asleep. Must she eat 3 times a day? HELP.
DailyCaring
I’m so sorry that she’s going through this. It’s a tough situation for both of you. It would be best to contact her doctor right away to find out how to best manage the wound in her cheek as well as get recommendations on how often she should eat as well as how to make eating easier for her.
Susan Emmanule
What a wonderful website!
I am one of the founders of the Alzheimer’s Association, and my mother died of Alzheimer’s in 1987. I can tell, by the questions and answers to everyday issues that you have set up here, that you have really thought through very carefully questions and answers that will really help caregivers understand the “why” and know what to do for the various issues that arise when caring for someone with dementia. I had to do everything by the seat of my pants!
Bless you!
DailyCaring
Thank you so much for your kind words and support! I’m sorry for your loss and am thankful for your hard work at such a wonderful organization. Alzheimer’s and dementia are such devastating diseases and they cause behaviors that are so counter intuitive. We feel passionately about helping families solve these everyday challenges and care for their aging loved ones while maintaining quality of life for everyone involved.