She doesn’t like anything she used to like and she won’t eat meat because she kind of chokes on it. I’m running out of ideals. I give her protein shakes to try to replace the meat, but she’s starting to turn her nose up to them too. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!
If the only reason she won't eat meat is because she chokes, then blend it a bit in a food processor and get it down to an easily consumed size and consistency.
I can tell you that the norm in aging is that they like to eat less and sleep more.
You tell us nothing about your mother, but do know that ability to taste and smell goes out often in elders and there is much less drive to get calories in while there is less activity going on for them.
I think your Mom is the best gage here of what might be good, so talk to her frequently about it. And keep healthy snacks around. Rice pudding, yogurts and fruit, Keifer and protein drinks, perhaps a nice chocolate ensure. Whip up a batch of mac and cheese, put in individual containers, and have them handy when mom needs a snack?
Other than that I wouldn't overthink or over worry this. You are looking at the long slow slide that is aging, and what you are seeing is more or less the norm. You would be amazed at how little the amount is needed to sustain life.
Sure do wish you and your mom best of luck in finding what is tasty and nutritious.
Cottage cheese, yogurt, Mac and cheese, beans peanut butter, Hummas.
But what others posted is better information.
Best of luck
Swallowing dysfunction (dysphagia) is very common and choking on meat may be the tip of the iceberg, she may very well be having problems with other foods and fluids too which of course would affect her appetite. There are several good articles here on Aging Care about this, the balloons below your question are links that will lead you there.
Poor appetite and insufficient calorie intake is why things like ensure were invented, you might want to try adding in some of those.
Seafood, ground turkey, beef, pork, rice, beans, cottage cheese, yogurt, soup, eggs, ice cream (her favorite) cookies, crackers to name a few.
After my late husband almost died in 2018 of aspiration pneumonia, I had to puree all of his foods for quite some time along with thickening his drinks with the product Thick-It. I would just add a little gravy in with his meats.
Your mother may need to have a swallowing evaluation done before she too develops aspiration pneumonia.
https://www.med.upenn.edu/lung2022/assets/user-content/documents/softandmoisthighproteinmenuideas.pdf
Adding things such as tofu (blend well) to "cream soups" or add full fat unflavored Greek yogurt; can boost the protein in soup.
If she'll try tofu that is a great option. Many folks do not like it, but it all about the prep and sauce. Try cutting into very small cubes, dredge in corn starch and then sauté in sesame oil. Turn to toast all sides. Finish with light soy sauce or "sweet duck sauce" depending on if she prefers salty or sweet.
Almond butter is a good protein option, mix it into creamy oat meal for breakfast.
Avocados are a great option, mash into guacamole or just cube it. As long as it is soft, is should be easy to eat. Douse with lemon so it does not turn brown and the lemon will add more flavor. Salt and garlic power too.
Cottage cheese is a good source of protein, whip it if the curds are a problem. Blend with some almond butter for more flavor and protein.
Purred meats (chicken is quite easy to make) with bone broth (for more protein); just add it to an appealing soup, perhaps a tomato soup with nice color.
Fish and cream cheese. Salmon or tuna blended with cream cheese can be a good option.
Egg salad is another good option.
Purred beans: such as human (garbanzo beans), refried beans (pinto), black beans in any form, or blend them. Split pea soup. Mashed edamame (soy beans, you can find them in the frozen section sans the outer shells).
Add Ricotta to small pasta (pastina) w/red sauce (comes out pink).
Egg drop soup. Bring chicken bone broth to a boil. Whisk in a beaten egg. Add crumbled tofu, dash of light soy. Cooks in under 2 mins. Let it cool before eating.
chunky meat
so everything is cut small
you could get a mincer and mince the meat or get some soya toy meat and cook a shepherds pie
or just cook toy mince with a bolognaise sauce ( you can buy ready made sauces in supermarkets)with buttery mash beside it
don’t forget as people get older their appetite shrink
We found with my dad not to give him
large pieces of meat
I think it’s a real swallowing issue
then you have toy meat and pasta or spaghetti - tin fish smashed up with a fork (heated) with mash potatoes or pasta or rice
scrambled eggs with some bake beans
hot cereals
porridge
Maybe build up meal up with a little tin rice pudding afterwards
or semolina
the swallowing thing is real - it might be trial and error seeing which foods trigger responses with your mother
might be worth speaking to your mothers doctor about it
we found with my dad it referred to chunky meat
boiled egg with sticks of soft cut up slices of bread
beans on bread or soft toast
with a tea as it may be hard to swallow dry
meal replacement drinks are an excellent standby or alternative
good luck
good luck
Losing an interest in food is not unusual. She may feel depressed and/or 'ready to go.' Lots of reasons why a person won't want to eat.
Could have to do with issues swallowing.
Could have to do with her ability to smell / olfactory nerve.
You mention meat - is protein your only concern:
Tofu with eggs and cheese?
Go to a health good store and ask them (yogurt)?
What is the olfactory nerve? Your olfactory nerve is the first cranial nerve (CN I). It's also part of your autonomic nervous system, which regulates body functions. This nerve enables your sense of smell.
If I were you, I wouldn't stress about it. Depending on her age and condition, give her ANYTHING she'll eat ... desserts usually work. Or try ice cream.
Ask medical provider if she should ONLY be drinking thick water (helps / required if swallowing issues).
Gena / Touch Matters
Is she having problems swallowing anything else?
If so she might benefit from a swallow test to help determine what the problem might be.
It may be time for all minced foods or even pureed foods.
Do a research and look up Vegetarian meal plans. this should give you a basis for meals with complete protein balances.
Things like Yogurt can be high in protein and there are some out now that have increased protein. Cheese and nuts can also be counted so if she is having snacks that might be of help.
I did a quick search and the amount of protein an older person should have daily (it is based on weight) is about 1 - 1.2 grams of protein per 2.2 pounds of body weight.
We made a batch of each once a week with her blended veggies and her blended starches (sweet potato)