One thing I have noticed, is that Mom’s eating habits have changed a great deal over time. Especially when she’s not feeling well, like now. And it becomes a battle really, to get her to eat enough, drink enough, in order to just sustain herself.
Now most suggest adding supplements, like as if she needs to take more pills. In some cases, not much of a choice, but there are other ways. For example, having fruit. The less she sees in her plate, the more likely she is to eat it all, but then comes the other headache. Chewing.
Older people have limited use of their hands, their teeth may not be in the best shape, so chewing is a hard task. Cutting up large pieces of food is painful, so it gets left behind.
The balancing comes, in making the pieces just small enough to chew easily, and yet isn’t so small, that it seems like the plate is overflowing with goodies. Using a larger than average plate, can also help, in giving a perception of less food. ( That’s a trick I have to try, if possible. )
I notice that by not slicing her toast, using smaller bread slices, she eats what she used. I cut the strawberries into just manageable sizes, not fours or sixes, but halves, which seems to work. I want her eating the toast too, because of the jam on it, and the bread is filled with fruit as well. I love it, because it also has some holes in it, which I fill with jam, which adds to her sugar/starches.
Who knew, that at 54 years of age, I’d be using trickery to get her to eat more. I always thought my food was tasty enough, but at her age, she just doesn’t want to make a production. Then too, she is watching her weight, and I gotta say, this is one tough balancing act.