A healthy and well-balanced diet is an essential way for a senior to keep up their physical strength, mental health, and overall wellness. If your loved one has started eating less or refusing meals altogether due to a loss of appetite, then you must try some creative strategies in your senior care. The following tips will help seniors get the nourishment they need to avoid malnutrition.  

Senior Care Guide for Meeting Nutritional Needs

1. Offer Snacks & Small Meals

Sitting down before a large plate of food can seem intimidating to a senior, making them more likely to refuse the meal. Instead, try serving five smaller meals throughout the day, with healthy snacks available between them. Good snacks to have on hand include string cheese, cut fruit, and full-fat Greek yogurt.

2. Choose High-Nutrition Foods

If your senior is not eating much, then you want them to get the most out of those small meals as you can. Choose high-calorie foods that are rich in nutrients and healthy fats. Good options include avocado, eggs, nut butters, soft cheeses, and finely cut meat.

3. Offer Finger Foods

For those with arthritis or having trouble with fine motor control, using utensils can be frustrating or even painful. Give them finger foods that are easy to pick up and munch on. Try preparing steamed carrots and broccoli, fish sticks, meatballs, and chicken strips.

4. Make Shakes

For those with dentures or any oral health concerns, chewing can be uncomfortable or tiring. While cutting up food into small pieces helps, it may not be enough to encourage eating. Instead, prepare foods that don’t require chewing. These could include fruit and vegetable smoothies, protein shakes, mashed potatoes, and soups made with cream, pureed vegetables, and olive oil.

5. Use Fresh Ingredients

Frozen foods may be easy to prepare, but they are full of sugar, fat, and sodium. Even the healthier frozen foods, such as vegetables and lean meats, may lose some of their nutritional value. Always prepare fresh food with real ingredients; when you shop, stick to the perimeter of the store for the fresh meat, dairy, and produce. If you don’t have time to prepare these meals, hiring someone to help can make all the difference in your loved one’s health.

The certified home health aides at Giving House of Life Home Health Care can help you with cooking, feeding, and caring for your loved one in St. Louis, MO. Their in-home care allows your senior to maintain as much of their independence and comfort as possible while getting the assistance they need. They will create a custom senior care plan for your loved one’s needs, from housekeeping to companionship and advanced dementia care. Learn more on their website, or call (314) 665-9134 to speak with a care representative.