As you get older, you may start to notice certain changes to your senses of smell and taste. As well as being disconcerting and distressing, these changes can also affect your enjoyment of food, potentially making it difficult for you to get the right nutrition.
There are many reasons why you may lose your sense of smell, whether it’s a cold or flu, covid, allergies, nasal polyps, cancer treatment or certain medication. In these instances, it’s likely that your loss of smell will be temporary, but in other cases it can be permanent, such as if you’ve sustained a head injury or if you’re experiencing cognitive decline.
How we perceive flavour is down to a combination of both taste and smell, with the nose and mouth connected through the same airway. If we lose our sense of smell, even temporarily, it can be very difficult to taste anything at all… and this can affect the type of food we want to eat, possibly leading to weight loss and malnutrition.
However, if you are experiencing this kind of problem at the moment, the good news is there’s a lot you can do to make food more interesting once again.
Perhaps try making your plate as colourful as possible. If your meals look appetising, you’ll be more inclined to eat them, even if you can’t taste them as well as you’d like. Also consider playing around with different textures to derive a new source of pleasure from eating. Couscous, for example, is a wonderfully tactile food that can be lots of fun to eat.
Another option is to focus on herbs and spices, going as heavy as you like in order to get some flavour into your meals. Mustard, chilli, garlic, ginger and lemon are all wonderfully strong flavours that could make a big difference.
Beyond trying to bring the enjoyment back to your dining experiences, it’s essential to make sure that you’re getting the proper nutrition.
Even if you can’t taste much of what you’re eating, aim to get at least five portions of fresh fruit and veg per day, as well as a protein source with each meal. Fibre-rich foods should also be included in your daily diet, as should oily fish such as salmon, herring and mackerel.
One particularly good option for older people is oysters, which are rich in vitamin B12, selenium, zinc, iron and omega-3 fatty acids. It’s thought shellfish like oysters can help support brain function, fight inflammation, support metabolism and help with blood cell formation.
If you do notice any changes in your taste or smell, make sure you get in touch with your GP for further help and advice. You may need to see a specialist for further diagnosis and it can be useful to rule out anything potentially sinister,
Looking for home care services in Watford at the moment? Get in touch with the Concept Care team today.
