Care in Midstream - Library

Five Ways To Get Seniors With No Appetite To Eat

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. Sometimes simple changes can make a big difference. We share five 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 encourage eating.

Five ways to get seniors with no appetite to eat:

Have a regular meal and snack schedule

Having a regular daily routine and serving food at roughly the same times every day helps the body be ready to eat at those times. Please don’t rely on the body’s ability to feel hunger, as it declines with age.

Serve smaller portions of high-nutrient foods

Some people may feel overwhelmed if they see a large amount of food before them. Instead of a big plate, serve smaller portions. Or, try switching to a daily routine from three large meals to five smaller ones. Boost the healthy calories in those smaller servings by adding the following: avocado; finely chopped meat, cheese, and egg; olive oil; peanut or other nut butter; 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.

Reduce the need for utensils

The frustration of being unable to use a spoon, fork, or knife could make some older adults not want to eat. To eat more easily, try serving foods that can be eaten without utensils or
ry adaptive utensils. Some suggestions: chicken strips or nuggets; meatballs; fish sticks; steamed or raw veggies like carrots, broccoli, bell pepper strips, or cucumber pieces.

Have plenty of easy-to-eat snacks on hand

Some people prefer to ‘graze’ throughout the day rather than eat full meals. Keep plenty of healthy, delicious, and easy-to-eat snacks available, some suggestions: cheese sticks; full- fat yoghurt; diced fruit; peanut butter and crackers; cheese and crackers; full-fat cottage cheese; whole milk or chocolate milk.

Make milkshakes or smoothies

If chewing is difficult or tiring, even with small pieces of food, consider softer or more liquid foods. Some suggestions: nutritious soups – enhanced with cream, olive oil, or pureed meats and vegetables; healthy smoothies – add bananas, fruit, full-fat yoghurt, or vegetables like carrots and spinach; hot cocoa; full-fat milk and milkshakes.