 Chewing:
Many elders will have trouble eating foods like meat
and fresh fruits and vegetables, as it is difficult
to chew. Try other foods like fresh fruit juices and
soft canned fruits, raw vegetables vegetable juices
and creamed and mashed cooked vegetables meat ground
meat, eggs, milk, cheese, yogurt, and foods made with
milk, like pudding and cream soups, sliced bread cooked
cereals, rice, bread pudding, and soft cookies.
Upset
stomach:
Stomach problems, like too much gas, may make you stay
away from foods you think cause the problem. This means
important nutrients, like vitamins, calcium, fiber and
protein are missing when you do not eat. Instead, milk
foods; cream, soups, pudding, yogurt and cheese can
be taken. Vegetables like cabbage and broccoli vegetable
juices and other vegetables, like green beans, carrots
and potatoes fruits, juices and soft canned fruits can
be also taken. Check with your doctor if you have a
problem of diabetes as your sugar levels may rise eating
few types of food.
Shopping:
Sometimes some elders are left lonely without support,
while few like to live alone without disturbing their
children’s life. They eat and cook on their own,
but sometimes shopping for groceries may be difficult
as they cannot walk or stand for long time.
Select shops or food stores that deliver groceries Free
to your home.
You can also ask your neighbour or a family member to
shop.
Few companies hire health workers for a few hours to
help shop for you.
Ask the church or synagogue or local volunteer center
for volunteer help.
Cooking:
Many elders will have problems with cooking, especially
to hold utensils, pots or pans or even to stand in the
kitchen.
It is ideal to use a microwave oven to cook or have
food delivered to your home. These meals cost less and
sometimes free.
IF not move to a place where someone else will cook,
like a family member's home or a home for senior citizens.
You can appoint a cook who can cook for you.
No
appetite:
Older people who live alone sometimes feel lonely during
mealtimes. Loneliness can make one lose appetite. One
may not feel like preparing food for just yourself and
sometimes food may not taste good due to the medicines
older people take.
Try to sit with friends and family while eating.
Talk to your doctor about the medicines causing taste
problems that may change the medicines.
Increase the flavor of food by adding spices and herbs.
Sometimes shortage of money to buy enough food can keep
you from eating.
Avoid animal protein food that absorbs calcium especially
Meat.
Stop drinking alcohol and quit smoking as they can harm
bone cells and disrupt their absorption of calcium and
vitamin D.
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