My mom died in January and my dad, who never did the cooking, is now having to fend for himself. He's very particular and WILL NOT eat other people's cooking. He has been eating basically junky food (fast food--Teriyaki Madness, Jersey Mikes Subs--Walmart lasagne, Walmart cheap frozen pizzas, spaghetti with Walmart meatballs and sauce). He buys the cheapest stuff at Walmart even though he has the money to buy higher quality food. He goes to Whole Foods to get a peanut butter cookie that he likes, but won't look at their frozen foods, like I've asked him to. I am concerned that these eating habits are contributing (or will ) to cognitive decline. Does anyone else have a problem like this? Any suggestions?
He is a grown a$$ man you know and can eat whatever he darn well pleases. So unless you want to drop off homecooked healthy meals every night for him to eat, I would just let him be. At least he's eating.
And just FYI...I knew of a woman who lived the last 5 years of her life just eating cashews and ice-cream, and she died at 103.
Are there any people nearby who would enjoy going out and just socialize one or 2 afternoons a week?
T. Will call me and say it's WINE TIME! Go get our other neighbor !! So I walk next door with my dog to find my 98 year old friend. We walk to T's house for wine, food and talk ..
we mix it up from time to time.. T. will drive 98 lovely lady. And I will walk my dog to our happy hour spot, sit on the patio and order a bottle of wine and some plates on the cheap.. if anyone else on our corner wants to join, they most certainly are welcome too:)
it really doesn't hurt to ask your elderly neighbor over for a glass of spirit and a bit o talk and a bite to eat.. it's fun, and wonderful way to socialize these older people. You get to listen to their stories.. it's fun!!! I wouldn't change it .. ENJOY THE MOMENT!
Sometimes T calls me after she call miss 98, and I'll see her racing across the street with her walker!!! Then I scold both of them for starting the party without me... 🤣
That tells me that however "healthy" you thought your mother's habits were, they did not extend her life.
There's more to life than strictly controlled diets.
People who exercise, stay fit, and eat all organic, low fat foods, can still drop dead of a heart attack at the age of 40. They may have been putting too much stress on their bodies.
Every human body needs fats, needs carbs, needs salt, a little bit of sugar, some carbohydrates, and enough protein. Fiber can help with digestion, but is not essential to life. People who try to cut too much out of their daily diet and over stress their body with exercise are not any healthier than those who are not on the same obsessive regimen.
louise died 10 years ago. Louis her hubby was alone. Family was a few cities over. Every morning T. Would call me over to grab a cup of coffee.!I asked if I could grab 2 cups. Yes!
I would make a bagel n cream cheese and wrap it, grab the coffee and knock on Louis' door.. and I'd wait for a response. After work, I'd walk yo his house and recover the plate and cup
that lasted til their daughter moved him closer to her...🥰
You need to realize Dad is in grief from loosing his wife. When my husband died, the few 2 years were the worst. Unless he has lost 20 lbs overnight, he is fine not being nagged about what he eats.
if you feel it necessary, sneak in more eggs when you make him French toast.
finely chop veggies so he doesn't see them. Add them to pasta too.
put in a teaspoon of protein powder in the pancake mix, or breakfast shake.
look up sneaking food into kids' meals..
But, a 92 year old man?! Let him eat whatever he wants!