Barriers to eating well
- Holly Irwin, Dietitian
- 3 minute read
- Last updated: September 2023
Are you losing weight unintentionally after your stroke? Weight loss can happen for a number of reasons, perhaps poor appetite, fatigue, taste changes, low mood etc.
Below we will provide some reasons why keeping your weight up is difficult, tips to overcome it, and food suggestions.
Not eating well?
After a stroke you may not be eating as well as you should, this maybe due to some of the barriers listed below:
Fatigue
Fatigue is a common effects of having a stroke. It can present as a feeling of weariness, tiredness, or lack of energy that does not always go away when you rest. People may feel fatigued – in body or mind. With physical fatigue, your muscles may tire easily and your endurance may be much lower. This can make it difficult for you to prepare meals.
Taste change
A stroke can damage parts of the brain that interpret information about taste and smell from your nose and tongue. It can cause changes to your senses of taste and smell. Food might taste different or taste bad (dysgeusia)
Poor appetite
You may notice that your appetite has changed. For example, you may feel less hungry. This can be caused by the stroke, and/or by other factors such as feeling low or experiencing physical pain.This can result in having a reduced appetite, and not eating enough food.
Tips to help you eat well
Here are some tips if you experience these barriers:
- Try to eat small amounts of food/ drinks little and often
- Try to eat whatever foods you enjoy
- Try to eat some snacks in between your meals if you don’t feel like a proper meal
- Your appetite maybe better when with friends/ family, try to have
- something to eat while they are there.
Drink fluids after your meal to avoid filling up & been unable to have any food
- Try having foods with sharp flavours (onions, garlic, herb, spices, citrus fruits)
- Try having boiled sweets/ mints, ice lollies or flavoured/plain ice cubes.
- If the smell of food is putting you off try cold foods like sandwiches
- Finding foods too salty: avoid very salty foods like: stock cubes, salted crisps and nuts, canned foods, rashers/bacon, packet soups.
- If foods taste metallic: avoid metal cutlery and cooking utensils, instead use bamboo/reusable plastic cutlery and Pyrex dishes.
- Gargling lemon water can also help with metallic taste.
If foods are too sweet: add spices such as ginger, nutmeg or cinnamon to desserts. Sharper fruit flavours e.g. citrus fruits, rhubarb, gooseberries. - Keep your mouth fresh by brushing teeth or dentures regularly and using mouthwash.
- If you don’t have energy after preparing meals, try to use pre-made meals, tinned soups, tinned or frozen vegetables
- Let friends and family help you with meals
- Online shopping can be useful for groceries instead of having to go to the shops
Other information
Top tips
General
If you are still struggling to maintain your weight contact your GP
Niamh Gunning | Medical Social Worker |
