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My mum either due to age, health or just getting herself into a bad habit, has now gone through changes, such as saying "Oooh I can't eat a big meal anymore".. it's not that it is a big meal, she just means even a small constructed meal as too much work.. and so she tells me she's not been eating, but when I take her shopping, she fills her trolley/cart up with loads of crappola, lots of butter, sugar, eggs for making cakes, high sugar granola, which she say's is healthy and keeps her "regular" But other things like, chocolate, candies, lots of high fat cheese, ... sometimes she will still buy a joint of meat, then sticks it away with all the other joints of meat from other shopping trips and then moans she can't use them and cooks the meat for the dogs...

The other day, Easter Sunday, Me and my husband went up and tried to make a fuss as she's catholic and I didn't want her to be all gloomy thinking no one cares on this special day.. and we took up a mixed amount of nice finger food so she wouldn't complain to sitting down to a meal... but I managed to get her to eat a nice amount and she never turned it down... but I gave it to her in little amounts during the day, and she said, she's only eating it because I keep bringing it to her, she said that to my husband. She had more to eat than we did, and she enjoyed it.. so I don't know why she says she never eats or has no appitite when she clearly does and I know when I'm not there she's always scoffing high calorie stuff and then complains she's put weight on and can't seem to lose it...

Other things I've noticed, she used to like spicy food, and would love to have a curry with my dad, or have spicy chicken bits, like wings etc.. so one day, I went to get some KFC as I'd been busy and had no time to cook and instead of asking her on the way up if she'd like me to get her something, (as she normally declines saying she's no appitie) I just bought her some anyhow... she had some of the normal chicken and then tried one of the hot wings and as soon as she had it in her mouth for a second, she pulled it out and complained about the spice.

I've made and taken up (so to have more time with her rather than spend the time away from her cooking at hers) some really nice meals, and she just pulls a face all the time.. acts like a child!

Not sure I can change her into some more healthy eating habits

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My mother is 92 and also says she can't eat much, but she manages to eat 3 desserts a day with each meal and has gained 25 pounds since she lived with us. She leaves a portion of dinner but always eats the dessert...always takes a packaged cake with breakfast as well as lunch. At her age her dr says let her eat what she wants. She also can't tolerate hot foods anymore and she was a big fan of hot peppers
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In his 90's my father's food was put in the "Bullet" to mix with a liquid so he could drink it. He had lost lots of teeth and his dentures were not as stable because the gum line changes after 90. He would eat some things which he remained able to chew, but most of his food came via a smoothie size straw.

I would ask the nurses or her doctor for suggestions on what to prepare. It may be that the combination of meds she is on has suppressed her desire for food also.
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Medications can suppress appetite, but if the patient is not losing weight or gaining excessively, I would let it slide. Her MD should be doing regular bloodwork to make sure things are normal. Patients at the end of life lose fat and muscle mass, but this doesn't seem to be the case with her.
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I think people's taste buds change as they get older, and medications can change the taste of food. I've also noticed a lot of older folks get less adventurous and open to trying new things. Once I took my mom to a Middle Eastern restaurant because she used to like to try new stuff; instead she just looked panicked, even though it said clearly that it's chicken cooked with oregano and lemon, for example. It's kind of frustrating, to want to do something nice or care for your parent and they reject it. On a related note, is there Meals on Wheels in your area? I know someone who ordered that for her mom and they had balanced meals and a decent amount of variety.
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