A continued look at taste…one of the “Common Senses of Caregiving.”
“I lost my appetite…I’m just not hungry.”
If you are caring for a seriously ill family member, friend, or patient, you have probably heard those words all too often. When those in our care refuse to, eat only small amounts, or eat only infrequently, it’s easy to become frustrated. We try everything: favorite recipes, beautiful presentations, cajoling, bargaining, nagging. None of the measures really work, unfortunately.
So what does?
· Appetite stimulants
o Megace is a medication that stimulates appetite. It may improve food intake. The physician must prescribe this medication.
o Chocolate – as every woman knows -- is also an appetite stimulate. A tempting choice may be a mini-peanut butter cup. The size is not overwhelming; the chocolate stimulates the appetite; and the peanut butter center is a great source of protein that promotes healing. (Peanut-butter cups are also good for the caregiver’s soul!)
o Some seasonings can change the way food tastes and smells and stimulate appetite…so experiment! experiment with seasonings.
· Controlling nausea and vomiting
o Prescription medication can make a huge difference; it should be given 30-60 minutes before meals for peak effectiveness.
o Eating high-carbohydrate foods like crackers and toast can help control nausea. High-carb foods move through the stomach quickly and can be particularly helpful if eaten first thing in the morning.
o Controlling the smell of food can at times control nausea. Try serving food cold or at room temperature…or use seasoning and condiments like salt, lemon juice, catsup, pickles and olives that enhance food without emitting a smell.
o Keep your loved one out of the kitchen when food is being prepared. Once-beloved cooking and baking odors can trigger nausea when someone is ill or on certain medications.
· Ease Fullness and Bloating
o Limit fluids an hour before or after eating to keep from filling up quickly during meals.
o Constipation can also decrease appetites because of the sense of fullness it may cause.
o Avoid gas-producing foods, such as beans and cabbage. Using straws may also cause prevent gas.
· Controlling the Environment.
o Maintain a comfortable, calm environment. Try to avoid being stressed about whether your loved one will eat. Your stress can be contagious.
o Serve frequent small meals rather than large meals. Nothing can be more discouraging that a full plate of food to an individual with a poor appetite; too much food can actually be intimidating. One great technique is to serve favorite foods in smaller portions.
o If your loved one can tolerate it, choose foods that provide texture and crunch to help give a real sense of eating that is not provided by soft, bland foods.
o Encourage your loved one to eat slowly and chew food thoroughly.
o Encourage a period of rest after eating; activity can slow digestion and cause discomfort.
Special Considerations:
· Caregivers should make every attempt to follow the special diets that have been prescribed for their loved ones (for example, to treat diabetes, congestive heart failure, or kidney disease), but if your loved one is just not eating, you may need to make some modifications to the diet. The goal is to ensure that the patient eats, because eating promotes healing.
· Individuals who are nearing the end of their lives should be allowed to eat whatever they desire. Caregivers should plan to buy and serve the food in smaller amounts. For the very sick and dying, even the smallest taste can bring satisfy…and bring enormous pleasure.
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