Eating Well as Parents Age

As people age, appetite can drop. Appetite is the feeling of wanting to eat. Your parent may not always feel hungry at mealtimes.

Full meals can become harder to finish. You may notice changes before your parent does, so track what they eat.

Some people eat better with several small meals than with three large ones. Ask your parent which small meals they already like.

Each small meal can include a protein food, which helps keep muscle. It can also include a fiber-rich food. Fiber eaten with carbs can slow how fast blood sugar rises and falls.

Unexplained weight loss is a warning sign. Contact the doctor if your parent loses weight without a clear reason.

A weight goal should come from the doctor, who knows the full health picture.

Write down any change you notice, with the date, and bring the notes to visits.

Key takeaways

• Appetite can drop with age, so full meals may be harder to finish.
• Small meals with a protein food and a fiber-rich food can suit some people.
• Unexplained weight loss is a warning sign, and a doctor sets any weight goal.

Try it

Jot down what your parent eats at one meal today. Check any change to their meals with their doctor or care team.