I’m supporting some older family members (it’s complicated) . They live together independently but no longer feel hungry, eat out of habit and routine, so eat and drink very little. At home she is quite feisty about not being hungry.
We have noted that they both eat better in a social setting, and as long as the plate isn’t overloaded, the food flavourful but not too hot (spicy), and nothing is too tiring to cut up or chew, she does really well. He is more flexible but still eats far less than optimal. Hence 3 small courses is more successful than a large main, for example.
We’ve had some great successes which Im more than happy to share but I’d really appreciate further ideas.
Ice cream and mousse: GP prescribed high energy drinks (but even though they seem small to me it is a lot to drink at one time) . Making them into a mousse by chilling, blitzing in a bullet blender with some gelatine powder and then chilling or freezing. It is easy to eat as a dessert where it was too much as a shake.
Switched from korma or mild curries to passanda: thickened with ground almonds which are high in protein and calories.
Cream sauces: it’s an easy way to add calories.
Cook roast meat the day before, slice it really thinly and rewarm it in gravy or stock on the day of the meal with fresh veg and sides. It’s much easier to eat for someone whose hands get tired.
Egg based sauce (eg hollandaise ) which you can flavour up to make punchy or add less to calm down a strong flavour.
Soup: to make 3 courses I often add a little cup/ portion of soup as a starter. It feels light and doesn’t feel like being force fed: I give each of them 15g collagen or whey protein in their soup. Collagen is easier as it dissolves in a smaller volume and just disappears.
Simple foods with tasty sauces: both of them use knives and forks for everything and although they try most things they are most comfortable with simple foods they recognise and can cut up easily: hence the need to high calorie, full of flavour sauces. Romesco is a great example: great with chicken or fish, and easy to make even more rich without damaging the flavour by swapping the traditional bread for more almonds: I use roast red peppers in oil from a jar. 3 tsp garlic purée, 3 tsp smoked paprika, a big squirt of tomato purée , a shot of dry sherry, salt and pepper, 150g ground almonds. If you used all the oil from the jar you may need more almonds to give a super-smooth dip/sauce. That portion is over 1000 calories ( a big dollop on the middle of the plate for 4 people=250 each) and it is such easy eating with poached fish or sliced chicken. It’s so tasty it’s so easy to get them to eat it.
I’ll add more ideas that have worked for us as they come to mind.
Please does anyone else have tips or ideas to share?
thanks