The ideal foods for elderly people with no appetite
Ideal foods to help with loss of appetite
It is common for older people to experience a partial or complete loss of appetite as they age, but it is important to know when this could be cause for concern, and how to manage appetite in everyday life. Here, we are taking a closer look at why older adults tend to lose their appetite, when this needs to be looked at by a doctor, and helpful food suggestions for older people who have a reduced appetite.At Home Instead, our aim is to help people age positively and in place by bringing expert care to their home. For nearly 20 years, we have been providing the highest standard of care, and creating industry-leading training programmes for our Care Professionals that are accredited by nursing and medical professionals. Today, we are the world’s largest global domiciliary care network, supporting over 100,000 older adults with personalised, tailored care at home. So whatever questions you have about caring for older adults, we can help.
Why do older people tend to lose their appetite?
It is very common for older people to experience a loss of appetite as they age, and usually this is not cause for concern unless it is accompanied by a known medical issue, or if it results in sudden, unexplained weight loss. Studies suggest that between 15 and 30% of older people will notice a loss of appetite as they age, with the most affected being women and those in a nursing home or hospital environment. Some of the reasons for appetite loss include:
- Natural age-related hormone changes that affect appetite; studies have found production of the hunger hormone (ghrelin) slows down as we age
- Age-related digestive issues, such as developing certain food intolerances or regular constipation, which affects 30-40% of older people
- Dental issues from wearing dentures or having difficulty chewing or swallowing (you may find more useful information about this in our guide to difficulty swallowing and coughing while eating)
- Dry mouth, which is estimated to affect around one third of people aged 65+
- Age-related changes in smell and taste which can impact the desire to eat
- Reduced physical activity due to age, which means fewer calories are required, and therefore appetite is affected
- Mobility or dexterity challenges that affect food preparation
- Loneliness or depression that impacts the desire to eat; studies find depression could cause appetite loss as the brain stops recognising hunger signals as easily
- Sleep issues like insomnia that cause fatigue and a reduced desire to eat
- Short-term illness that affects appetite, such as the common cold or an infection
- A medical condition that affects appetite, such as chronic liver disease, kidney disease, heart disease, cancer, hypothyroidism, diabetes or dementia
You can learn more about why older adults lose their appetite, and how to manage this in our guide to handling loss of appetite in ageing adults.
Why is a healthy diet important for older people?
Diet is one of the most important elements of health, so older people with appetite loss could be missing out on important nutrients that are essential to their long-term health. A well-balanced diet helps to prevent chronic illnesses, keep the mind working efficiently, manage weight to avoid conditions like type 2 diabetes, and reduce risk of conditions like heart disease and osteoporosis. Without a healthy diet and enough food, an older person might experience a lack of energy, poor sleep, poor mental health, and impaired cognitive function. This can also have a negative impact on any existing health issues.Age UK suggests older adults should aim to include:
- Proteins like meat, fish, eggs, tofu or beans in 2 or 3 meals of the day to maintain good muscle mass
- A moderate amount of carbohydrates to provide energy, such as potatoes, bread, pasta or rice
- Around 5 portions of fruit and vegetables each day, such as apples, spinach or broccoli
- Around 3 portions of dairy a day (unless intolerant), such as milk, cheese or yoghurt
- Between 6 and 8 cups (1.5-2 litres) of fluids a day to stay hydrated, such as water, tea or coffee
Malnutrition can be a serious concern for older adults, and sudden loss of appetite in an older person, or unexplained weight loss, could be an indication of a more serious issue that must be addressed by a doctor. If you are caring for an older loved one who is not eating enough, you can refer to the NHS guide on ‘How to feed someone you care for’, or refer to Age UK’s Healthy Eating Guide for the most up to date information on the best foods to stay healthy, how much fluid to drink each day, how to keep a healthy weight, and more. Remember, it can be much more difficult for older people to regain weight after losing it, so it is important to keep on top of an older loved one’s appetite issues as early as possible.You may find our guide on supplements for older adults useful when planning dietary changes: The Best Supplements And Vitamins For Older Adults.
How to stimulate appetite in older people
If you are struggling to encourage your older loved one to eat enough food due to a lack of appetite, you could try:
- Suggesting they eat small meals or snacks more frequently instead of 3 larger meals in the day
- Encouraging them to eat more on days when they do display an appetite to balance out days when they aren’t hungry
- Sticking to a regular eating schedule to encourage hunger cues
- Making the cooking process simple and easy with adaptive utensils and mobility aids, if mobility or dexterity tend to affect cooking
- Making meals more of a social occasion by eating with friends, relatives or a home caregiver – research shows eating alone more often is linked to lower diet quality and inadequate nutrient intake
- Getting enough exercise during the day to work up an appetite – research suggests physical activity can modulate resting hunger and satiety in older adults
- Finding and preparing their favourite foods – research suggests that if a person gets to choose what they want to eat, they tend to eat more of it more often
- Making mealtimes more of an interesting or exciting experience by putting on pleasant music or watching an exciting film with dinner
- Enquiring with the person’s doctor about appetite stimulant medications to help encourage more eating
- Ensuring there are no dental issues, or discomfort when wearing dentures
What are the best food types to try?
If your loved one regularly rejects food or says they are not hungry, you may be wondering what changes you could make to encourage them to eat more throughout the day. Some of the best food types to try include:
Soft foods
Blended or puréed foods are a great choice for older adults with no appetite as they are much easier for them to chew and swallow, which can make eating a less stressful experience. It is possible to add more nutrients to soft foods, and these can be less overwhelming to eat. Examples of soft foods include
- rice pudding
- Shepherd’s pie
- scrambled eggs
- soups
- oatmeal
- Greek yoghurt (a good source of protein)
Small snacking foods
Smaller snacking foods can be helpful to have around when older adults are unable to finish larger meals. These small portions can be less intimidating for older adults with no appetite. Look for foods that come in bite-sized portions to encourage more frequent eating throughout the day, which can add up in calories and help to maintain energy. Some examples of small snacking foods to keep handy include
- yogurts
- cheese cubes
- nuts
- granola bars
- toast
- pieces of fruit
Interesting and good-smelling foods
Everyone has their own preferences for enjoyable and tasty foods, so knowing which ones might be most appealing to your loved one can help to determine your plans for meals and snacks. In particular, for those with dementia, the Alzheimer’s Society suggests making food look and smell appealing to the person with a mix of different tastes, colours and aromas. Smell can be a big factor in appetite, so if your older loved one is rejecting meals based on their scent, try to avoid any foods that can cause a strong smell, such as
- pungent cheeses
- seafood
- boiled eggs
- garlic-heavy dishes
- onion-heavy dishes
- fried foods
Meals that are easy to add calories to
Meals and drinks that enable you to easily add extra calories can be useful. For example
- adding full fat milk to coffee
- cheese in mashed potatoes
- jam or double cream in porridge
You can also cook things with added calories, such as cooking rice with milk or clarified butter.
Smoothies
Smoothies can be an excellent way to add extra calories, and can be a handy and filling snack to sip on over several hours if your older loved one does not feel like eating a big meal at that time. Smoothies are a great way to add lots of superfoods that are good for older people, such as dark leafy greens which are rich in carotenoids, cruciferous vegetables for fibre, and avocados for healthy fats. You may find more diet ideas in our guide to what foods elderly people should avoid.
Can home care support eating habits?
Having a Care Professional provide visiting or live in care to your loved one is a great way to encourage them to eat if they are not regularly doing so. There are a number of ways our Care Professionals can assist in this area, such as:
- Providing gentle encouragement to finish meals
- Reminding them to eat at specific times
- Helping with nutrition planning to ensure they are eating enough calories
- If they refuse a meal, offering a calorie-dense replacement snack, like a smoothie
- Help with grocery shopping to ensure their favourite foods are always around
- Help with meal preparation and sticking to prescribed diets, if relevant
- Offering companionship during meal times to make eating more enjoyable and social
If you or your loved one is struggling to eat as much as they need to each day, our encouraging and supportive Care Professionals can help. From general companionship during meals, to help with food preparation and emotional support when eating, reach out to your local Home Instead office to discuss how we can support you.We’re an award-winning home care provider and part of a worldwide organisation devoted to providing the highest-quality relationship-led care for older people in their own homes. Arranging care for yourself or your loved one shouldn’t be stressful, so whatever questions you would like answered, feel free to reach out to the Home Instead team to discuss your needs.
Diane WIlliams , Head of Quality & Standards
Before joining Home Instead, I built a comprehensive career in the social care sector, beginning in 1991 as a frontline care worker and advancing to senior leadership roles across both private and voluntary sector businesses.
Throughout my career, I have supported diverse care groups in a variety of settings, including community, residential, nursing, and secure environments. My experience spans working with older adults, including those living with dementia; individuals with physical disabilities and complex, long-term health needs; people with learning disabilities, including autism; individuals with enduring mental health challenges; individuals with current or past substance use and those with forensic backgrounds.
In 2002, I qualified as a social worker and have since maintained my professional registration with Social Work England.