“Tea & Toast” Syndrome: The Risks Of Senior Malnutrition

You shouldn’t be surprised if your elder parent eats much smaller meals than they did in the past. Seniors need less energy than those in middle-age do. However, you should keep careful watch to ensure you parent has a varied diet, or they may develop “tea and toast” syndrome. Nutritional guidance and meal prep services can also help your parent avoid this illness.

What Is Tea & Toast Syndrome?

Seniors often put less effort into nutritional diversity than they used to, resulting in a diet of foods that don’t take much time or effort to prepare, such as tea and toast. This can lead to serious nutritional deficiencies, gradual loss of weight, muscle, and overall reduction in health.

The seniors most at risk for tea and toast syndrome are those who:

• Don’t have a partner to prepare food for.
• Did not learn the skills of food preparation.
• Relied on their now passed spouse to grocery shop or cook.
• Don’t find food variety to be important.
• Eat mostly canned, tinned, or ready-made meals.
• Have lost their sense of taste or smell.
• Take medications that interfere with appetite.
• Wear dentures or have teeth or mouth problems.

How Can We Prevent Tea & Toast Syndrome?

If you notice that your parent is at risk for this condition, don’t take it lightly. Tea and toast syndrome can significantly impact their health. However, there are some things you can do to help your parent get better nutrition.

Strategies include buying diverse and nutritious snacks for your parent that don’t require much prep work and are easy to chew, including:

• Bananas
• Cheese sticks
• Pureed vegetables
• Low-fat yogurt
• Blueberries and raspberries
• Meal replacements

Premier Home Care & Home Care Assistance In Oakville, Mississauga, Burlington & Milton

There are many other strategies that you are your premier home care provider can use to help your parent regain their health. If you need assistance making sure that your parent gets all the nutrition and care they need, while staying within the comfort their home, consider iCare Home Health’s premier home care services.  We offer professional and compassionate home care assistance in Oakville Mississauga, Burlington, and Milton. Learn more about our comprehensive services and contact us today for a consultation.