Help a Loved One Eat Right

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It may take a little work to figure out what's keeping your loved one from eating, but once you do, you can help.
Two experts -- Mary Fennell Lyles, MD, and geriatrics dietitian Dixie Yow, RD, offer these tips to make sure your loved one is getting the nutrition they need.***
[h=3]1. Assess the Situation[/h] "You have to investigate and find the root of the problem first," Yow says. Talk to your loved one and, if possible, watch her in her home to figure out why she’s not eating more.
Once you have it figured out, brainstorm solutions together. For example, if arthritis stops her from opening cans or chopping veggies, help by transferring pre-cut foods into easy-to-open containers.
If you see that she forgets to eat, an alarm clock or phone call may remind her. Other common hurdles:

• Some prescription medications can lower appetite. Ask her doctor about switching medications.
• Ill-fitting dentures or other dental woes can make chewing hard. Head to the dentist for some help.

[h=3]2. Plan for Protein[/h] Stock the fridge and pantry with high-protein foods. Protein helps slow the muscle loss and weakness that happens with age, Lyles says. Adults usually need between 46-56 grams of protein a day, but check with your loved one’s doctor about her needs.
Lyles recommends ready-to-eat protein options that require no preparation.
Try:

• Peanut butter
• Tuna
• Cheese
• Yogurt

Lyles especially likes Greek yogurt. It is packed with protein (up to 18 - 20 grams per serving) but usually doesn’t leave an older person uncomfortably full.
She also recommends eggs. Hard-boil a batch on the weekend and store them in the refrigerator for easy meals during the week. Lyles says she tells most of the people she sees to eat an egg a day. One egg has a touch more than 6 grams of protein.
[h=3]3. Make Fruits and Veggies Easy to Eat[/h] Fruits and vegetables are full of vitamins, minerals, and fiber that prevent disease. If your loved one has tooth trouble, whip up fruit smoothies. Turn them into a complete meal by adding soy or whey protein powder, Lyles suggests.
Yow recommends cooking veggies in microwave steam bags, a quick option that makes carrots and green beans easier to chew. Microwaved sweet potatoes are a soft but simple super food. They have lots of beta-carotene, which helps the immune system.
[h=3]4. Go for Whole Grains[/h] These may protect the heart, and also relieve constipation, a common complaint among less-active seniors, Yow says.
Look for whole-grain crackers, cereals, and breads.Other easy whole-grain options:

• Microwaveable brown rice, which cooks in minutes
• Oatmeal, which can be prepared in advance and stored in the fridge