When seniors begin to lose their sense of taste or smell, meal time can be challenging, because with aging comes decreased appetite, and when food lacks flavor or has a bad taste it becomes easy to neglect nutrition; opening the doors to all kinds of other health problems.

Of course, for seniors who are experiencing loss of the senses, like smell and taste, the first step towards improvement is to seek medical attention; however, that doesn’t mean they have to suffer through tasteless meals to remain healthy.

Just because a diet is restricted doesn’t mean the food should be dull, lifeless and boring.  Here’s how we recommend adding flavor to a senior’s diet without compromising good health.

- Add low-sodium, no-salt stock to liven up a sauce.  Likewise, cook rice in chicken or vegetable stock rather than water, and replace cream with stock when making mashed potatoes for a flavorful, low-fat alternative.

- Fresh herbs are a no-fat addition, to brighten the flavor of salads, dressing and sauces.

- Don’t sacrifice quality.  Never buy less than ground sirloin.

- Avoid prepared foods.  They are not healthy for seniors because they can’t control the amount of salts, fats, and additives.

Additional ingredients that can add flavor when added to ready-prepared foods are:

• Cheeses – especially the very flavorful, like sharp cheddars
• Chopped green pepper or other vegetables
• Chopped onion
• Nuts and seeks
• Bacon bits or ham strips

Meals prepared for seniors with declining senses should also focus upon other elements, like presentation, texture and color; because overall, an attractive meal is more appealing and texture adds diversity and interest to the food even if strong flavors are absent. Plastic utensils can also be used to limit metallic tastes, and drinking often or eating mints to clear any bad tastes from their mouths before a meal can also make it more enjoyable.

Age and good nutrition should go hand in hand for a long healthy life, so make sure all meals are enjoyed!

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