An adequate and nutritious diet can make a difference in having enough energy and strength to do some of the activities that are important to your loved one and allow them to maintain as much independence as possible. Sometimes, though, the patient may lose their appetite.

Tips for better nutrition

Make breakfast the biggest meal. Appetite may decrease as the day goes on.

Prepare small, frequent meals throughout the day.

Supplement meals with nutritional drinks like Ensure, Forta, Sustacal, Carnation Instant Breakfast, Slim Fast (2 scoops in whole milk), Nutrament.

Don't fill the patient up by providing a lot of liquids during meals.

If the patient has a loss of appetite, you may want to try the following ideas:  Freshen the patient's mouth before eating. Food will taste better. Brush their teeth or rinse with water. Wash their hands and face and make them comfortable in bed or at a table.

Eat meals together and keep the atmosphere relaxed, comfortable and well lit.

Offer a variety of foods.

Add sauces and gravies to dry food.

Make sure pain medication is given on time so the patient is not in pain either before or during meals.

If nausea and vomiting are a problem, here are some things you might try.

Give compazine or other medications as prescribed, not skipping a dose if they start to feel better.

Avoid foods with strong odors, like onions. Offer mild or "no-odor" foods like applesauce, mashed potatoes, rice with butter, baked potato with sour cream, yogurt. Cooking odors may also bother the patient. Ask others to cook at their house and bring the food to you.
Avoid fatty foods like fried chicken or french fries.

Avoid very sweet or spicy foods.

Try to offer dryer foods like toast or crackers.

Try Lactaid or Dairyease milk if the patient has problems with milk intolerance.

To add more calories to the diet you can:

Mix nonfat dry milk with regular milk. It is best if refrigerated overnight.

Make milk shakes with ice cream.

Add milk instead of water to gravies and soup.

Keep dried fruits, peanut butter, nuts and cheese on hand for snacks. Keep in plastic bags.  Use butter or margarine on starchy foods like potatoes and rice.

Above all else, don't force the patient to eat. Remember that meal times can be a perfect time for closeness and sharing, so make them enjoyable for both of you. If the patient cannot get up to a chair for meals, you will have to feed them in bed. Here are some ideas to follow.

Assist the patient to use the bathroom, bedpan, urinal or commode and wash their hands. Wash your hands also.

Remove strong odors and any clutter.

Raise the head of the bed or use pillows to prop the patient into a sitting position.

Use a bed tray for a flat surface. One that has raised sides and fits over the lap is best and reduces accidents.  Use cups with covers and straws to reduce spills.

Use a spoon instead of a fork for better control and less chance of injury to the mouth.
Cut the food into bite-size pieces and serve at room temperature. 

Allow the patient to feed himself if possible so they won't feel so helpless. If they cannot see well, help them locate the food on their plate according to the position of clock hands.

Don't rush the patient through the meal. Make this a time for pleasant conversation.

Fluids, specifically water, (even though water does not provide any vitamins or calories) are essential. They are needed to keep the skin and mucous membranes moist, and to carry nutrients to all the cells in the body and waste products away from them. Here are some things to keep in mind regarding the patient's intake of fluid.

Don't force the patient to drink. Rather, offer a choice of beverages.

Try to have the patient drink as much water each day as possible, (if water is not difficult to swallow). Keep in a thermal cup. Cold water is refreshing.

Offer juices and nutritional supplements. They also help with regulating bowel movements.
Jello, pudding, ice cream and broth are also liquids you can offer.

Use a straw or medicine dropper, or even a spoon if the patient cannot use a cup.

If the patient cannot suck hard enough on a straw to draw up liquid, try cutting the straw in half.

Use 4 or 8 oz. juice boxes, squeezing gently to push fluids up and out of straw.

Flavored ice cubes (made from fruit juice) crushed into ice chips can be enjoyable.