Seniors with smell and taste deficiencies may find that when they are able to taste their meals, foods just don’t taste like they used to. Things may taste too salty or too sweet, and meats may take on an odd taste. It’s not uncommon for meals to just taste plain bad, but the elderly don’t need to tolerate this or sacrifice their nutrition due to the poor eating habits that result. Adding simple ingredients to meals can tone down the overbearing tastes, although if you are a senior cooking for yourself and a friend or a caregiver preparing a meal for both of you; you will definitely want to serve two separate meals. Learn how to overcome smell and taste problems by reading the answers to the following common questions.

Q1 – Is there any way to tone down the flavor of foods that taste too sweet?
A1 – Nutritional drinks in particular may be the problem; by adding plain yogurt, buttermilk, instant coffee powder or extra milk can make the drinks taste less sweet and more tolerable.

Q2 – As a professional caregiver who provides in-home care for an elder who has a problem with sweet foods, are there meal options that won’t cause this problem?
A2 – If you’re looking to provide food options that avoid sweet flavors, consider serving snack items like cheese, chips or pretzels, crackers, devilled eggs, nuts, peanut butter or sandwich spreads.

Q3 – How can I provide a senior with dessert and drink options that aren’t overly sweet?
A3 – Since many drinks and juices are sweet, make sure you keep items like fruit juice (dilute when serving), milk, buttermilk, lemonade, ginger ale or sports drinks on hand in the home. Try to avoid serving very sweet desserts, instead choose things like yogurt, custard, pumpkin pie, fruit, cottage cheese, plain donuts, or graham crackers instead of cookies or cakes. By providing them with these food choices, you will make sure their nutrition remains a priority and the variety of options makes mealtime more enjoyable.

Q4 – How can meals be prepared for a senior who thinks foods taste too salty?
A4 – The easiest answer is to avoid salt. When cooking don’t use seasonings containing salt, and stick with more bland foods. Processed foods contain great amounts of sodium, so these should be avoided. Adding sugar to foods can also help tone down the salty taste.

Q5 – My elderly mother thinks that meat tastes strange, but there is nothing wrong with it. How can I make sure she is able to get the recommended amount of meat?
A5 – You can serve other protein options, or get creative when serving meat dishes. Instead of serving a piece of meat on its own, serve it in dishes like soups, chili or sauces; marinate the meat in various sauces when cooking or provide ketchup or other seasonings on the dinner table to improve the flavor. Salty, spicy or smoked meats may also have a better taste, or serve high protein meats cold which can reduce the presence of bad tastes.

Source: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/cancer/HQ01135