Do you have an older adult who is losing weight and doesn’t want to? Unplanned weight loss can happen for many reasons. You can maintain your weight with a little planning and avoid any negative effects of weight loss.

What causes unplanned weight gain in older adults?

Here are some reasons you might be losing weight even though you don’t intend to.

  • Too much food
  • Insufficient money to purchase food
  • Being unable to shop for groceries or prepare meals on your own
  • Feeling sad, depressed, and isolated most of the day.
  • Problems with swallowing, mouth, or teeth
  • Incapacity to properly smell, taste, chew, or digest food
  • Medical conditions such as cancer, heart disease, or digestive problems like ulcers or gall bladder diseases.
  • Take medication that can cause nausea, vomiting, difficulty swallowing and taste loss.
  • Consuming at least 3 alcoholic drinks per day

What should I do about my weight loss?

Unplanned weight loss can have serious consequences for your health. Talk to your doctor.

  • You have lost between 4% and 5% of your body weight in the last 12 months without trying to lose it.
  • You have lost more than 10% in the past 5-10 years, or longer, without even trying.

What can an unexpected weight loss result in?

Unplanned weight loss can:

  • Your ability to perform daily tasks can be limited
  • Make a medical condition worse
  • Your risk of muscle loss, infection and illness, as well as depression, is increased

How can I prevent weight loss?

Small changes in your daily eating habits can help avoid unplanned weight loss. For helpful nutrition tips, read on.

Make sure you eat enough.

Many seniors don’t eat enough. This can lead to weight loss and vitamin and mineral deficiencies. Here are some suggestions:

Reduce the amount of food you eat.

  • High-calorie and high-protein foods should be included in every meal and snack. Whole fat foods such as cheese with at least 20% M.F. (milk fat) and 3 % M.F. yoghurt.
  • You can choose from eggs, meat, poultry, fish, and nut butter. For a snack, try Baked Chicken and Potato Dinner.
  • Healthy oils can be added to your regular foods, such as drizzling olive oil on your vegetables and non-hydrogenated margarine on your brown rice.
  • After eating, drink high-calorie or high-protein fluids. Try a milkshake or whole milk (homo) with added milk powder for more calories.

Make sure you eat foods that have the right texture.

  • It can be difficult to eat the foods you love if your dentures don’t fit properly or you are missing some teeth. You can try changing the way you eat or trying different foods.
  • Use a food processor to grind your food.
  • To soften meats, vegetables, and grains, cook your food for a longer time.
  • Soft foods like yoghurt, meatloaf and eggs are good choices. For menu planning ideas, click Eating Soft Foods.

Your appetite will increase.

  • Get active! You may feel more full and satisfied if you do this. Talk to your doctor about what type of activity is best for you. For more information, click on Tips for Getting Active.
  • You can increase your appetite by using different flavours in your food. You can add cinnamon to sweet potatoes or sage to chicken. Click on Cook It Up Healthy! See How to Cook With Spices and Make Your Taste Buds Tumble for more ideas!

What nutritional supplements can you take?

If you have lost too many pounds, your doctor or Registered Dietitian might recommend a nutritional supplement.

You can take a nutritional supplement in powder, liquid, or pudding form. It provides additional calories, vitamins, and minerals. Take a liquid nutritional supplement between meals to have more time for food. The Sunny Orange Shake is a homemade, liquid nutritional supplement.

Bottom line

Small changes in your eating habits can help to avoid unwanted weight loss. Talk to your doctor if you have experienced unplanned weight loss within the past 12 months.