It’s not uncommon to have a light appetite while recovering from surgery or illness, or for appetite to fade with age. Combine that with treatments and medications that reduce appetite or have a side effect of nausea, and you may be struggling with what meals to prepare. Below are foods for seniors with no appetite. As always, prioritize foods and meals suggested by medical practitioners.
1. Ensure meal replacement shakes
When appetite is low, drinking a beverage may be easier. Ensure is a nutrient-dense, pre-bottled beverage or protein powder. Choose from a range of flavors and formulas to meet different nutritional needs. This includes diabetic-friendly formulas. Ensure has options for up to 350 calories, up to 27 vitamins and minerals, and between 9 and 30 grams of protein per bottle.
· Serve cold in the bottle at least once per day.
· Add Ensure powder to fruit and vegetable smoothies
· Use Ensure smoothies as the base for homemade beverages.
· Browse low-appetite recipes made with and without Ensure.
2. Whole Wheat Crackers, Cheese, and Meat
Whole wheat crackers with meat slices and cheese or cheese spread are nutrient-dense. Also consider other dips and spreads, including hummus, veggie, nut, and seed spreads. These are also easy for those with declining dexterity. Maybe some chopped fruit and vegetables.
3. Eggs and potatoes
Eggs are nutrient-dense and versatile, making them a fast and easy option for seniors with no appetite. Hard-boiled, soft-boiled, deviled, scrambled, fried, poached, an omelet, or egg muffins are excellent options. Add a bit of cheese and soft veggies. Also, bake, mash, or soft-fry sweet potatoes or any other variety of potatoes.
4. Soup or broth
Being liquid, soup and broth are easy to drink. This can include canned soup and broth, or soup or broth you make or purchase from a deli or restaurant. Both are easy to make, especially if you have a crockpot or Instant Pot. Add egg noodles, grains, vegetables, an egg, and small bits of meat to increase the nutrients.
Just be mindful of the sodium content of premade soup and broth.
5. Whatever they’re craving
Always ask what your loved one is craving, as they’re likely to consume more of what they crave. If they’re craving comfort food that isn’t nutritious, let them indulge if it doesn’t contain ingredients they’re currently restricted from.
Our caregivers prepare meals for seniors with no appetite
One of the many services our in-home caregivers provide is preparing light meals and healthy snacks. Reach out to learn more about Gentle Spirits Homecare’s non-medical services in Broward County.
