beans? oh no.

This is a good list and if it works, great! I think it is essential to give elders foods that they like. If Mom loves her white rice and butter and sugar and cinnamon and hates brown rice, so be it. If whole grain pasta means Dad eats less, let him have the plain pasta he is used to.

Most elders can adopt to some change, but expecting them to change decades of eating patterns all at once may not be realistic.

Food is not only a source of nutrition. It is a source of pleasure. It is important to keep it that way.

Great list only if you can get your parent(s) to change decades of eating the same things. I can't get my Mom to try organic, she doesn't like how the word sounds, so she always makes a face whenever I mention it.... I've even told her eating organic is how her mother prepared foods when growing up [she's 96]. They eat yogurt but I can't get them to try the wonderful Greek style for a change of pace. Oh well. My parents do their own meals at their own home, so thankfully I don't need to cook for them.... I hate cooking, it's like a science project that always goes wrong ;)

These are healthy food choices for anyone. However, I have found that the push of pills, vitamins, and other supplements makes people want to eat less of the fresh produce and meats available to them and more of the processed/canned/frozen meals that are 90% of that found on grocery shelves. It's an eat your cake and take a pill mentality these days that seniors are all too willing to follow.

Good information! While caring for my father, it seemed his taste buds were always changing. Although there were a few favorite stand-by dishes, it seemed what he liked last week, he didn't the next. Fruit was usually a hit. I would often dice apples and sprinkle with a little cinnamon and sweetener.