Lack of appetite is a common complaint during a serious illness and it can be distressing to both the person who is ill and the family that surrounds him or her. After all, our family celebrations and holidays are closely intertwined with eating.
We often hear, “If only he would eat, he’d get better.” But when seriously ill, our nutritional needs and appetite change. It is very normal to have a decreased appetite, for foods to lose or change flavor, and to feel full after a few bites.
With the holiday season looming, here are a few things to keep in mind:
- Complaints that food have lost their taste: Experiment with different flavors (including flavoring extracts), and aromas. These may increase taste, appetite, and mental attitude.
- Some people may develop a dislike for certain strong-tasting meats such as pork or beef but accept fish and poultry. Should a dislike for these foods develop, protein intake may be maintained by using dairy products, eggs, and vegetable sources or protein such as legumes and peanut butter. (Legumes are dry beans, peas and lentils.)
- Cured meats (ham, sausage, corned beef, and other lunch meats) may appeal to people with a decreased taste for salt.
- Fresh fruits may make ice cream, milk, shakes, puddings, custards and products like Carnation Instant Breakfast more appealing.
- Between meals, snacks should be used to add to daily protein and calorie intake.
- The diet should be modified in texture and consistency (bland, soft, liquid) according to the person’s needs.
- People experiencing loss of appetite and fullness shortly after eating should eat small, frequent meals.
- Relatives and friends should be cautioned against the “eat a little more” syndrome and encouraged to create a natural, pleasant atmosphere during meals.
- Fruit juices or other high calorie beverages (milk, milk shakes, Instant Breakfast, etc.) can be substituted for coffee, tea, or water. However, water should never be totally discontinued from the diet.
- Serve foods at the temperature desired (warm, room temperature, or cold).
Try not to let food become something to fight or worry about. Eating won’t make the illness go away. It’s important to eat small amounts of what you can, when you can, and in between, enjoy the company of your loved ones.
Founder, CEO at Arcy Healthcare
Hello,
My name is Jimmie Stapleton. I am the founder and CEO of Arcy Healthcare. Arcy Healthcare includes Arcy Hospice, Arcy Supportive Care, MaximaCare Home Health and Arcy at Home.
Arcy Hospice was opened in 2007 to provide care and support for individuals and families facing a life limiting illness. It was established after my wife Ellen, who had been diagnosed with breast cancer, had completed her chemo and radiation therapies. At that time, things were looking positive, and we wanted to do something for our community that had been so supportive of our family during her treatments. Unfortunately, the cancer returned a few years later, and she subsequently passed away under our care in 2010.
In the years that followed, I began to see the need to provide the same level of excellent care to patients across the continuum of care. Therefore, we have added a home health division (MaximaCare Home Health), a palliative care division (Arcy Supportive Care), and a home care division, (Arcy at Home). With the addition of these divisions, we can meet most of the post-acute care needs for you and your family in your home.
I started Arcy Hospice with my wife as my motivation to provide exceptional care and support in the patient’s home, where they are surrounded by family and where they feel most comfortable. I’m proud to say that our staff provides some of the best in home care in the Dallas-Ft. Worth area.
Please let us know if we can enrich the quality of life for you or a loved one.
Sincerely,
Jimmie Stapleton – Founder and CEO
Arcy Healthcare
My name is Jimmie Stapleton. I am the founder and CEO of Arcy Healthcare. Arcy Healthcare includes Arcy Hospice, Arcy Supportive Care, MaximaCare Home Health and Arcy at Home.
Arcy Hospice was opened in 2007 to provide care and support for individuals and families facing a life limiting illness. It was established after my wife Ellen, who had been diagnosed with breast cancer, had completed her chemo and radiation therapies. At that time, things were looking positive, and we wanted to do something for our community that had been so supportive of our family during her treatments. Unfortunately, the cancer returned a few years later, and she subsequently passed away under our care in 2010.
In the years that followed, I began to see the need to provide the same level of excellent care to patients across the continuum of care. Therefore, we have added a home health division (MaximaCare Home Health), a palliative care division (Arcy Supportive Care), and a home care division, (Arcy at Home). With the addition of these divisions, we can meet most of the post-acute care needs for you and your family in your home.
I started Arcy Hospice with my wife as my motivation to provide exceptional care and support in the patient’s home, where they are surrounded by family and where they feel most comfortable. I’m proud to say that our staff provides some of the best in home care in the Dallas-Ft. Worth area.
Please let us know if we can enrich the quality of life for you or a loved one.
Sincerely,
Jimmie Stapleton – Founder and CEO
Arcy Healthcare
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