Feeding Someone Who Is Bedridden

If your friend or family member is bedridden, helping them to meet their nutritional needs- not to mention helping them to eat in general- can be a bit of a challenge. Here are some common problems faced by bedridden patients, and some ideas on how you can help.

Trouble chewing or eating harder foods

Obviously, the answer to this question is “Give them soft foods,” but if you aren’t Gordon Ramsey, you may struggle to come up with easier-to-eat ideas that don’t involve mashed potatoes or applesauce. 

1. Steaming. You can quickly steam most vegetables.
   
   Here is a great article from The Kitchn that teaches you all the tips and tricks to steam perfect vegetables every time. You may consider letting your vegetables “over-steam” a little bit, as the longer you steam them, the easier they will be to chew.
   

2. Stewing. Pot roast has to be one of the most comforting dishes known to humans, and if you do it right, the meat will be fall-off-the-bone tender, and your vegetables will be both soft and flavorful. Plus, slow cookers are a great way to “set it and forget it,” and, as a bonus, will fill your house with mouth-watering aromas for hours, which may help your loved one find their appetite! Click here for a 5-star pot roast recipe you can try.
   

3. Soups. Soups are another one of those “set it and forget it” foods, and, as a bonus, many can be saved in individual-sized containers and frozen for a quick meal later. From potato, to tortilla, to navy bean, to minestrone, to gazpacho- there is a soup that can satisfy any craving. Soups are also budget-friendly and are a great way to clean out the fridge towards the end of the week. You can find some great recipe ideas by clicking here.

Trouble feeding themselves

Sometimes your loved one may struggle more with the coordination that utensils require than the actual food itself. And because needing someone else to feed them may hurt their ego a bit, so serving foods that the person is able to feed to themselves gives you the win-win of giving them the opportunity to maintain the dignity of feeding themselves and freeing up a bit more of your time so you can enjoy your meal with them or take a much-needed break.

1. Finger foods. You don’t have to settle for chicken strips and baby carrots (not that we don’t love those, too!). Here are some other utensil-less ideas you can try:

   • Cheese and crackers. Throw in some salami and some fruit, and you can create a beautiful charcuterie.

   • Mini foods, such as mini muffins or mini quiches. 

   • Sandwiches- just don’t forget to cut them on the diagonal (it makes them taste better!)

   • Egg rolls, pot stickers, empanadas, samosas, and anything else wrapped in thin dough and cooked to crispy perfection!

   • Meatballs- don’t limit yourself to beef. Chicken, pork, and turkey can also make for an excellent meatball.
     

2. Smoothies. Smoothies are so tasty, they almost make it feel like you are eating dessert for dinner. Plus, they can pack in a ton of nutrition. Click here for a ton of recipes to try.
   

3. Give them specially designed utensils that make eating easier. Click here for some great suggestions from all over the internet.

No appetite

This one can be a bit tricky, as many older people naturally lose their appetite, especially as they get closer to transition. 

1. Set regular meal times and stick to them. Your loved one may not feel hungry at all throughout the day, so creating an eating schedule and having them try to eat at least a little something each time will help them get the nutrition they need.
   

2.  Try smaller, more frequent meals. If your loved one has no appetite, it can be a bit overwhelming and discouraging to stare at a large plate of food. Making their meal look “achievable” can help them try to get closer to cleaning their plate. They just might have to eat more frequently in order to get enough calories.
   

3. If you have to, focus more on getting them to eat “something” rather than the “right things.” If your loved one is only interested in eating junk food or less-than-optimal meals, console yourself with the fact that they are at least eating something. You can always help them supplement with vitamins in order to help them round things out.

It means a lot to whomever you are caring for that you are doing your best to give them both what they want and what they need. It may take some experimentation to figure out what works best, so be patient and keep trying.

If you have a favorite tip, trick, or recipe that has worked well for your bedridden loved one, share it below in the comments!