I've found with ma in law that she'll eat biscuits, sweets etc because it's easy for her to help herself to those. Beacuse she lives with us, she gets proper meals at the right times, and has a good appetite.
We've had to modify the way we do things, because she can't remember what she's eaten, I don't leave sweets or biscuits on show anymore. I have a small biscuit tin that I put on the side with half a dozen biscuits a day, same for sweets, crisps etc. For the rest of the family, it's all hidden in cupboards, where for the moment she doesn't seem to look.
It's the secrecy that I don't understand, as she'll only ever eat what I give her, until I go out anywhere, then she raids the kitchen!! It's not as if I've ever stopped her from having things, but she doesn't seem to want to ask. It is a bit galling when you pop out for ten minutes to get lunch, and come back to find everything gone!! I have to be careful not to leave too much out, or all the sweets and biscuits go and she is too full to eat dinner.
One thing that worries is the amount of salt she uses, considering she is on blood pressure medication. I did mention this to the consultant, but he bears out a previous post in that as you get older your taste changes, and you need more salt to make the flavour. She should have shares in Saxo, you can tip the salt off the plate after she finishes her meal!!!!!