Hello,
I am a new caregiver for my Dad and I just need meal ideas and maybe snacks because my Dad is losing weight. He's not weak or anything, but he just needs to eat more. I try to get him to eat 3 times a day and he is a diabetic, but it seems that he does not eat enough. And I also want him to have a regular bowel movement every day. What foods will make him go? Can someone help me with this please and thank you in advance!
There is a diabetic version of ensure. I used to buy it for my father. It’s called Glucerna.
I've been adding heavy cream to everything, 1 TB is 45 or 50 calories so it's very easy to get an extra 200 calories into mashed potatoes, or even soup.
As to the regular bowel movements - normal isn't necessarily every day, as long as he isn't constipated (ie struggling to pass hard stools) don't get too obsessed about that. Make sure he is getting a balanced diet and enough fluids.
First Dad is 87. The elderly don't eat a lot then u add Dementia to that. People suffering from Dementia think they have already eaten so won't eat again. Some forget they ate. So you have two things going on here. As we age, we also lose muscle mass and will lose weight because of it.
I agree, I would talk to a nutritionist. He may not need as much food as you think he does. Just needs to watch his sugar levels.
Eating by the clock works if you have appointments, otherwise eat according to your stomach and eat as much or as little as you like.
I left small bowls of fruit and flavored water out for Luz. She never went hungry or thirsty. She still lost weight but was otherwise healthy.
Cornbread mini muffins are good to have around. Munch all day on them or hoe cakes, eat them like cookies.
A tray or bowl of fruits or veggies set out worked as well.
As to everyday, forget that. As we age everything slows down. Let nature take her course. Trying to force a bm at 3:00 pm. everyday can lead to hemrhoids and that can be dangerous.
If no action for three days talk to your doctor. These are my experiences with me and my wife.
Five small meals might fill the nutritious needs.
Good luck to you
People on the keto diet make what they call "fat bombs". They are low carb but rich in fat. Google recipes for fat bombs, and you'll come up with a lot of options.
My mom basically stopped eating when she was released from the hospital and the rehab facility after having COVID. She is only pre-diabetic but, I would bring her "Kozy Shack's Simply Well" Tapioca and Rice Pudding Cups - there are 5 grams of sugar in them as opposed to 19 grams and 15 grams respectively. I had been giving her the "Atkins Protein Shakes" until hospice entered the picture and they wanted her to be on Ensure because it provided more calories.
Metamucil puts out flavored Fiber Wafer Thins that contain 6 grams of sugar and come in Apple Crisp, Chocolate and Cinnamon Spice flavors. I would ask his doctor if those would be ok first as they can be a little pricey.
Good luck!
I recommend adding a daily probiotic and magnesium for everyone. Up to 80% of Americans are magnesium deficient and our guts are shot from eating meat treated with antibiotics, not to mention the ones we ingest for illness.
High fiber foods can bulk up BMs but, you have to be careful when doing that to make sure that he is hydrating enough or it could result in a nasty impaction.
My dad enjoys chocolate almond milk with no added sugar, that is a great way for him to stay hydrated and get extra calories. If your dad likes milkshakes it is a great replacement for ice cream, just freeze in ice cube trays, throw some nuts, and fruit in a blender with some of the frozen almond milk and you have a tasty, nutritious snack.
I would encourage you to ask his doctor for a referral to a dietitian. I was not expecting the amount of help I received in feeding a diabetic with heart and kidney disease. So many restrictions and yet she made it so simple to feed him.
My dad said that he has a hard time chewing, he too has lost lots of weight and his teeth no longer fit properly, wouldn't want to burden a dentist, grrrrr! Anyway, fixing foods that don't require chewing seems to be very popular with all the older people that I interact with, so I recommend that you have a Ninja or Vitamix and you can easily make a porridge out of most anything you cook. I find that using bone broth and cream as my liquid really amps up the flavors and adds loads of nutrition and calories. They make great nut butters for spreading on lightly toasted bread and using monk fruit to sweeten won't raise his blood sugar.
Feeding our seniors healthy fats also helps them stay warmer.
I hope you find items that your dad will eat.