What can I do to increase my appetite?

There are many reasons why older people's appetite decrease; cooking for one, ill-fitting dentures, difficulty shopping, finances, and some medications are all factors that could leave them without much of an appetite. However, usually losing your appetite is a symptom of something else. If you are worried about yourself, or your loved one not eating, losing weight, and not drinking enough, talk to your GP immediately.

If you are finding it difficult to eat regularly, here are a few things that you could try:

• Make lunch the main meal of the day. Having more calories earlier in the day helps keep up energy, as well as this, eating your main meal at lunch will not upset any digestive issues you may have that would normally disrupt sleep.
• It has been shown that eating with others increases your appetite and also leads to better food choices. So share a meal. Ask a friend over. It doesn't have to cost much. A nice sandwich would be fine.
• Avoid drinking with meals as this can fill you up and affect your appetite
• Choose moist or softer foods when you’re feeling tired means you don't have to use as much effort to chew and swallow
• If you live alone and do not feel like cooking yourself, try some of the ready meals that are available in the fridge and freezer sections at the supermarket and delicatessens. Many companies also offer meal delivery services catered to elderly people. You can find services near you that offer healthy food, ready meals and meal delivery options here on Eldernet’s ‘Making Life Easier’ website. These include:
  
  EAT
  Eatl8r
  Home of St Barnabas Trust Meals on Wheels
  Pohlen Hospital
  Tauranga Meals on Wheels
  The Pure Food Co
  Tomorrow’s Meals
  
  
• Make meals more appealing. Sense of taste gets weaker with age, with some medications making it worse. You can add a boost of flavour with lemon juice, vinegar, herbs, and spices. Using brightly coloured food will make meals more appealing as will a variety of tastes and textures. Cooking classes like Puāwai - Kai or Just Cook Healthy Ageing can help give you more confidence in the kitchen.
• Get physical – this is a great way to encourage appetite. A walk or even washing dishes may help develop an appetite.