Increase Appetite in Elderly

Updated 8/19/2025

It’s no secret that a balanced diet is vital for overall health. However, when it comes to our elderly loved ones, a change in appetite and eating habits can make maintaining a healthy diet a challenge. Not only do you need to ensure they are eating a diverse range of nutritious foods, but you also have to make sure they are getting enough calories each day.

In this guide, we’ll talk through the causes of appetite loss, as well as how to increase appetite in seniors to ensure they are getting the essential vitamins, nutrients, and protein that they need.

Causes of Appetite Loss

It’s common for people to experience a decrease in their appetite as they get older. There are numerous factors that may be connected to a change in appetite, including:

A less physically active lifestyle, which leads to decreased hunger
Mobility issues that affect chewing, swallowing, or handling silverware, which can make eating more cumbersome
A change in taste buds and/or the way things smell, which reduces interest in food
Loneliness, lethargy, and depression
Dental issues, such as tooth pain, ill-fitting dentures, or dry mouth
Side effects of certain medications

There is also a correlation between dementia and eating habits changing over time. Memory loss and a decline in cognitive function can make it difficult for a senior with dementia to recognize food or understand how to eat it. They may also have issues communicating whether they like or dislike a food, or if they are having a hard time eating what’s in front of them, making the whole experience of eating frustrating.

It’s important to note that a change in appetite may also be a sign of a medical condition. If you notice any changes in your loved one’s eating patterns or appetite, be sure to notify their doctor.

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Tips to Encourage Eating

If your family member is facing challenges with eating, here are our most effective tips for encouraging healthy, regular eating.

Create a Routine Around Dining

A regular meal schedule can be beneficial for seniors, as it creates consistency and familiarity that makes it easier to transition into mealtime. There are also physical benefits to scheduled meals. The body adapts to a consistent eating routine, sending out signals to the brain that it is time to eat. This ultimately increases appetite.

To maximize comfort and ease, try your best to create this routine around your loved one’s preferences. For example, they may prefer to snack throughout the day, and then have a larger meal for dinner.

Support Their Food Choices

When appropriate, it’s essential that you support the food choices your loved one makes so that they remain encouraged to eat. This is true even if these choices contradict their usual preferences or seem like an odd choice. Food preferences can change, particularly in those with dementia. They may reject a food that they once loved – or on the other hand, ask for something that they previously wouldn't eat.

Enjoy Meals Alongside Others

Another way to encourage eating is to make mealtime a fun, social experience – at least as often as you can. Even if your elderly family member isn’t feeling too hungry, they may feel more encouraged to come to the dinner table if they know they get to connect with their loved ones. Plus, it strengthens bonds, creates a cheerful environment, and helps them socialize.

Eating right is enjoyable, provides energy, and sustains a senior throughout the day.

Encourage Snacking

Having easy-to-eat snacks readily available is one of the best ways to ensure the senior in your life is hitting their caloric intake and nutrient needs. Nutrient-dense foods like nuts, seeds, baby carrots with hummus, orange slices, berries, and dried fruits are a few examples of healthy and filling snacks.

For seniors with mobility issues, easy snacks that don’t require the use of silverware can also make the eating process much less challenging. They are much more likely to be willing and able to eat if there is less of a barrier to consuming the food.

Try Calorie-Dense Drinkable Meals

In addition to snacking, a simple way to add more calories and essential nutrients to a senior’s diet is through drinkable meals. Smoothies and protein shakes are loaded with much-needed nutrients and are easy to consume, making them an effortless way to help a senior consume more.

Serve Food That Both Looks & Smells Delicious

Meals that indulge senses beyond taste can help stimulate appetite, ultimately encouraging your loved one to eat. Try to incorporate colorful foods into a meal, and use different spices to create an enticing aroma. You can even further stimulate visual interest by using decorative edible flowers, or serving the meal on a colorful plate.

You’ll also want to try to serve a variety of different textures and tastes in one meal to maintain interest. On a similar note, it’s important to diversify meal options. New flavors or reimagined old favorites can help keep mealtime exciting and engaging.

Add Foods They Love to Meals

Take note of the foods that your family member loves, and try to incorporate them into regular meals. Their favorite food can help stimulate appetite and encourage an interest in eating. As noted above, just remember that preferences can change, particularly if your loved one has dementia.

Best Foods for a Balanced Diet

A balanced diet should feature a wide range of fruits and vegetables across the color spectrum. It’s also important to work grains, healthy fats, and proteins into a senior’s meal plan.

While there are plenty of healthy foods to choose from, here are a few examples of beneficial foods that can be incorporated into a senior’s diet:

Nuts and Seeds: Nuts and seeds are particularly great for easy snacking (just be sure to get shelled nuts!), and are packed with protein, antioxidants, and healthy fats.
Blueberries and Other Berries: Not only are blueberries delicious and easy to eat, but they are also considered a superfood, as they are rich in antioxidants. You can also reach for other berries like raspberries and strawberries to add more color and variety to a senior’s diet.
Eggs: Eggs are a breakfast staple, as they are loaded with protein and good-for-you nutrients, including calcium, potassium, iron, vitamin B12, and vitamin D. Hard boiled eggs can also be cooked and peeled ahead of time for a simple snack.
Cruciferous Vegetables: Broccoli, brussels sprouts, and other cruciferous veggies are excellent as sides or incorporated into meals, as they are a source of fiber and vitamins.
Lean Meats and Seafood: These foods are great for seniors, as they provide necessary protein yet are low in cholesterol and saturated fat.
Beans and Lentils: For plant-based sources of protein, try beans and lentils, which can be added to soups, pastas, and other main dishes.

Remember to speak with your loved one’s doctor to ensure any dietary changes are appropriate for their unique needs.

Senior Meal Delivery Programs

A meal delivery program can be a helpful resource for ensuring seniors are receiving the nutritious meals that they need. These programs are also excellent for introducing variety into a senior’s life to help them stay excited about their meals. For caregivers, these programs can also mitigate some of the burden around meal prepping and planning.

There are numerous programs, but a senior-specific option worth considering is Mom’s Meals. This program is for adults over 60, and offers multiple medical condition-specific menus designed by professional chefs and registered dietitians.

Some seniors may also qualify for Meals on Wheels. This nationwide non-profit delivers nutritious meals to elder adults with mobility challenges.

Ensuring Your Loved One is Eating Properly

It can be challenging to get a senior to meet their food needs, but there are steps you can take to increase appetite. By addressing the root cause(s) and doing your best to encourage regular, healthy eating, you can help ensure your family member is getting the nutrition that they need.