If you’re caring for someone with dysphagia, mealtimes can be a worrying and stressful time. We share some simple tips for helping those with swallowing difficulties rediscover the pleasure of food.
Try to make sure food look as appealing as possible. Food should be visually enticing, especially if you're trying to encourage someone to eat more. If it needs to be texture modified, why not try blending the different parts of the meal separately so they look more appetising.
In later life, it’s not uncommon to have a smaller appetite than when you were younger. But it’s still important to make sure you eat enough to stay strong and healthy. This week, we share our five top tips for maintaining a healthy appetite.
From less sensitive taste buds to badly fitting dentures and medication side effects, there’s a whole range of things that can affect our appetite as we get older. Most of us know how difficult it can be to eat when you don’t feel hungry. But with our simple tips, you can make sure you get the nutrients you need to stay healthy – and find your way back to truly enjoying meals again.
As the weather gets warmer, we take a look at some refreshing, flavour-packed smoothies to help you keep cool.
If you find getting your 5 a day can sometimes be a chore, try drinking, rather than eating them. Digging out the blender and making a juice or smoothie is a simple, tasty way to pack loads of fruit (and even vegetables) into your daily diet. And because smoothies are thicker than other liquids, they’re also a great refreshment option for people with difficulties swallowing.
Having a stock of easy-to-prepare, puréed ready meals can be a real help if you suffer with dysphagia. It means that you or the person preparing your meals can spend less time in the kitchen preparing food of the right consistency, and more time making sure you get the nutrients you need.
