Hi, I have had Alzheimer's since 2019. Luckily I am still driving but my memory is getting worse. I find my biggest problem though, is with food. I don't really eat that much and there is very little I actually like. I have gone off most of the things I used to like as they just don't taste the same any more. I was just wondering if other people have this problem.
Eating problems
- Thread starter USMSHARON
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- alzheimer's disease
I think my OH has this problem A lot of his once favourite foods he won't eat anymore. He says he does not like them . I find it difficult to give him food he enjoys as he'll say he enjoyed a meal and the next time I give him it he tells me he wasn't keen .
Sadly he's not able to tell me which food he fancies as he seems to forget the names of food now. Offering a choice of two leaves him looking blank and telling me to choose.
Sadly he's not able to tell me which food he fancies as he seems to forget the names of food now. Offering a choice of two leaves him looking blank and telling me to choose.
Hello and welcome @USMSHARON
Unfortunately dementia does have an effect on the sense of taste and that's what gives rise to the infamous dementia sweet tooth as the sensation of sweetness is usually the last to be lost. My wife won't take her favoured hot drink without sugar these days. A staff nurse in a dementia specialist unit once told me that they even sprinkle a little sugar on food to ensure they are eaten.
I suppose it's a matter of including more sweet fruit and veg to ensure a diet remains healthy.
I hope this helps.
Unfortunately dementia does have an effect on the sense of taste and that's what gives rise to the infamous dementia sweet tooth as the sensation of sweetness is usually the last to be lost. My wife won't take her favoured hot drink without sugar these days. A staff nurse in a dementia specialist unit once told me that they even sprinkle a little sugar on food to ensure they are eaten.
I suppose it's a matter of including more sweet fruit and veg to ensure a diet remains healthy.
I hope this helps.
My mum now much prefers sugar sprinkled on her toast. I did persuade her a few years ago to eat wholemeal toast - this was a good idea as at least this gets her the daily recommendation of fibre.
KitKats/chocolate and quite a few polo mints are enjoyed by her every day. So the sweet tooth is definitely there. Luckily she eats her evening meal, and she is very healthy.
It is a big struggle getting her to eat vegetables now, but at least she likes oranges and peppers so vitamin C levels are fine.
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I was diagnosed with Alzheimers October 3rd 2023.
As regards food, my problem is I avoid using my gas cooker as I don't trust myself with it, having accidentally left it on a couple of times & being very concerned not just for my own safety
but also for my neighbour in the flat above me who has mobility issues.
I use my Microwave instead, or eat out or at friends when possible & am fortunate to have a Fish & Chip shop within walkable distance.
Even so, I've lost a lot of weight so I suspect am not eating enough because of reluctance to use the cooker but also due to loss of appetite,
which saddens me as I really used to enjoy my food.
As regards food, my problem is I avoid using my gas cooker as I don't trust myself with it, having accidentally left it on a couple of times & being very concerned not just for my own safety
but also for my neighbour in the flat above me who has mobility issues.
I use my Microwave instead, or eat out or at friends when possible & am fortunate to have a Fish & Chip shop within walkable distance.
Even so, I've lost a lot of weight so I suspect am not eating enough because of reluctance to use the cooker but also due to loss of appetite,
which saddens me as I really used to enjoy my food.
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Welcome @angelagail I hope you will find the forum helpful
Have you considered buying an air fryer or a portable electric hotplate? Either could solve your problem.
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Have you considered buying an air fryer or a portable electric hotplate? Either could solve your problem.
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Add slow cooker to the list.
93 Slow-Cooker Recipes That'll Give You Back Some Much-Needed Time
Set and forget your way to some pretty incredible meals.
www.delish.com
Thanx for your helpful suggestions Grannie G & Nitram.
Am embarrassed to say that I do have issues with new technology as regards Air Fryers etc,
& I have a slow cooker but rarely use it for some unfathomable reason, probably because I can't be bothered if truth be told.
Am embarrassed to say that I do have issues with new technology as regards Air Fryers etc,
& I have a slow cooker but rarely use it for some unfathomable reason, probably because I can't be bothered if truth be told.
Slow cookers are fantastic. Shove in food in the morning and you have a lovely meal to look forward to in the evening!
That’s the problem @angelagail
I do understand how difficult it is to make an effort when you are not well. It`s not just dementia. I was ill recently and couldn’t be bothered to cook
Don’t be embarrassed. New technology isn’t easy to adjust to.
Loss of appetite will be a big contributory factor. If you have a poor appetite you won’t feel like making the effort even more.
I do understand how difficult it is to make an effort when you are not well. It`s not just dementia. I was ill recently and couldn’t be bothered to cook
Don’t be embarrassed. New technology isn’t easy to adjust to.
Loss of appetite will be a big contributory factor. If you have a poor appetite you won’t feel like making the effort even more.
I'm sorry you fear using your cooker but how considerate you are of others and the danger to yourself.
How about and electric steamer to cook veg ,fish and chicken . Can also steam rice. I use my steamer daily. My steamer is timed so no forgetting to turn off. 😃
How about and electric steamer to cook veg ,fish and chicken . Can also steam rice. I use my steamer daily. My steamer is timed so no forgetting to turn off. 😃
A steamer that goes in microwave is part of my cooking armoury, cheaper and quicker
I have microwave one as well but it's small. Can pwd still use a microwave? My OH can't. Steamer is just one turn of the timer
I second that, as meals cooked in slow cooker are just delicious, I just made osso bucco and the family loved it. You can 'be bothered' just to make one batch, eat one portion you can then portion ortion the rest in boxes and freeze for future meals.
Changes in the perception of taste and appetite can be caused by the disease itself or its symptoms. It may also be caused by changes in the sensitivity of taste buds or other physiological processes in the body. You need to experiment with different dishes.
Hi - My Mother is refusing most if not all food - even with lots of variations. She has had alzheimers now for 8 years. She has had a UTI for the last week and finishes antibiotics tomorrow for that. What do we do if she is basically not eating???
Hi. I’m sorry to hear about your eating problems. I hadn’t heard about this before although it sounds as if it is quite common. My husband has Alzheimer’s and his eating habits have definitely changed though I hadn’t appreciated that this is a common issue. He is eating smaller dinners and prefers very simple dishes. Egg and chips is his favourite meal and always goes down well. He’ll also eat fish and chips or something like a cheese salad but will only eat a small portion of a meaty dish. Although he is perfectly capable of cutting up his own food, he likes vegetables like broccoli served already cut into small pieces. I suspect some of this goes back to how his mother served his food. He also now grazes between meals much more than he used to, eating chocolate biscuits, crisps, chocolate Brazils and fruit.
Like you, I have a slow cooker - pushed to the back of a cupboard, half forgotten. I’m not sure why either. I guess in your position I’d dig it out and give it another go, freezing leftover portions to reheat in the microwave when needed. I’d also probably consider more in the way of salads - but perhaps you’re not keen on cold food. I appreciate you may not be keen on learning to use a new piece of kitchen equipment but a simple steamer might be worth trying.
I wish you luck with your eating and thanks for raising this issue. It’s given me a better understanding of my husband’s eating quirks.
Like you, I have a slow cooker - pushed to the back of a cupboard, half forgotten. I’m not sure why either. I guess in your position I’d dig it out and give it another go, freezing leftover portions to reheat in the microwave when needed. I’d also probably consider more in the way of salads - but perhaps you’re not keen on cold food. I appreciate you may not be keen on learning to use a new piece of kitchen equipment but a simple steamer might be worth trying.
I wish you luck with your eating and thanks for raising this issue. It’s given me a better understanding of my husband’s eating quirks.
