RootsChat.Com

General => The Stay Safe Board => Topic started by: greyingrey on Tuesday 07 March 23 17:47 GMT (UK)

Title: help with nutritional issues
Post by: greyingrey on Tuesday 07 March 23 17:47 GMT (UK)
I'm looking after someone who is very ill with. virtually no appetite...can anyone suggest something please....at the moment they're. taking a well known nutritional drink but finding it too sweet.

very best wishes to everyone here....im thinking of you. all and hoping the mind. can make things better
Title: Re: help with nutritional issues
Post by: BumbleB on Tuesday 07 March 23 17:55 GMT (UK)
I'm assuming that perhaps you do not have any historical association with this person.  I was thinking that if you had, then you might know of a "past" favourite menu and could "tickle the taste buds" with a version of that.  :-\  Or is there another version of this nutritional drink which might not be so sweet  :-\

Title: Re: help with nutritional issues
Post by: Pennines on Tuesday 07 March 23 18:31 GMT (UK)
There are 'Energy Drinks' but only on prescription from a GP - might it be worth speaking to their GP about this problem and seeing if they think these drinks could help.

You receive a large package of them and they are in different flavours.
Title: Re: help with nutritional issues
Post by: Rena on Tuesday 07 March 23 19:00 GMT (UK)
Back in the 1970s, much to my athletic husband's surprise,  my mother was given nutrition via athlete's powder in liquid form, which can be found in chemist shops.
Title: Re: help with nutritional issues
Post by: CaroleW on Tuesday 07 March 23 19:01 GMT (UK)
Would they drink some soup?   

I know it’s not nutritional but what about jelly - it’s basically giving them anything they will eat to tempt their appetite
Title: Re: help with nutritional issues
Post by: candleflame on Wednesday 08 March 23 07:59 GMT (UK)
Home made soup blended so smooth and if necessary thinned down?
Also might be worth checking out the sites for cancer , as I’m told they have ‘umami’ foods that they use for folk especially with chemo as they help the appetite and taste apparently. I’ve heard of umami from friends with cancer and sometimes mentioned in cooking programmes, but don’t know about it myself.
Title: Re: help with nutritional issues
Post by: Ruskie on Wednesday 08 March 23 08:06 GMT (UK)
Perhaps investigate protein shakes and smoothies (whizzed up fruit and veg - loads of recipes online). If weather is cold, Carole’s suggestion of soup is a good one.

Though I know they contain measured nutrients, none of those fake flavoured drinks will taste as good as something home made.
Title: Re: help with nutritional issues
Post by: nanny jan on Wednesday 08 March 23 12:01 GMT (UK)
Years ago my mum had a major operation but little appetite and she was advised to have a small glass of sherry before her lunch. Mum and dad continued with their lunchtime sherry for years!


Not sure if that would work in this case.
Title: Re: help with nutritional issues
Post by: bearkat on Wednesday 08 March 23 15:50 GMT (UK)
Try your local Pharmacy for high energy milkshakes.

Title: Re: help with nutritional issues
Post by: Milliepede on Wednesday 08 March 23 15:55 GMT (UK)
I would ring his or her doctor for professional medical advice - just to be on the safe side lest anything suggested unwittingly does more harm than good.
Title: Re: help with nutritional issues
Post by: mazi on Wednesday 08 March 23 17:12 GMT (UK)
My elderly aunt liven to 98, her later years she thrived on homemade soup and junket, just that

Junket, milk set with rennet, sugar and flavour to taste, but plain with a drop or two of vanilla extract
Is palatable and easy to eat and has protein and fat, just a bit short of carbohydrate
So thicken the soup with a bit of mashed potatoes.

Mike

Title: Re: help with nutritional issues
Post by: BumbleB on Wednesday 08 March 23 17:18 GMT (UK)
I do agree with Milliepede - contact the doctor. 

We, on RC, are NOT medically qualified, nor do we know your friend's history.

ALWAYS err on the side of safety  :-*
Title: Re: help with nutritional issues
Post by: Kigi on Wednesday 08 March 23 20:58 GMT (UK)
I am a medical professional (not a GP) so I can advise that no GP would be allowed to discuss her situation with you, unless you have medical power of attorney for her. If however she is able to ring herself, then requesting a dietetic referral could be a good idea.

This general dietetic advice from my local trust may be useful:

https://www.westsuffolkccg.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/Food-First-Advice-WSCCG-logo.pdf
Title: Re: help with nutritional issues
Post by: Pennines on Thursday 09 March 23 10:13 GMT (UK)
Kigi -- what an extremely useful link you kindly sent. That's so good of you - I am sure it will be useful to many of us.

Thank you again.