What is the best appetite stimulant for seniors?

Author: Aliza Braun  |  Last update: Thursday, October 9, 2025

Foods for the Elderly with No Appetite
  • Crackers with peanut butter or cheese.
  • Healthy milkshakes or smoothies.
  • Nutritious soups.
  • Hot cocoa.
  • Full-fat cottage cheese.
  • Full-fat milk.
  • Fiber-fortified cereal and bread.
  • Vitamin D-rich fish and eggs.

What drugs are used to increase appetite in the elderly?

Medications are sometimes used off-label to stimulate appetite and induce weight gain in older adults. Most commonly used are mirtazapine, megestrol, and dronabinol.

What supplements increase appetite for the elderly?

For instance, deficiencies in zinc and vitamin B1 (thiamine) are linked to loss of appetite, making supplementation a viable option for some seniors. Unlike conventional medications, these supplements tend to have milder effects and can be an integral part of a holistic approach to wellness.

How can I get my elderly appetite back?

Eight ways to increase appetite in the elderly
  1. Create a routine. ...
  2. Fortify food. ...
  3. Eat with others. ...
  4. Fight dry mouth. ...
  5. Use finger foods. ...
  6. Encourage snacking. ...
  7. Suggest stimulants. ...
  8. Use drinkable meals.

Is there an over the counter appetite stimulant?

Vitamins and Supplements

Certain vitamins and minerals, such as zinc and vitamin B, can help increase appetite. Nutritional supplements, such as protein shakes, can also provide extra calories and nutrients to help you eat enough calories to gain weight. Fish oil supplementation is a rich source of omega-3 fatty acids.

Loss of Appetite and Improving Appetite in the Elderly

What age is considered elderly?

Traditionally, the “elderly” are considered to be those persons age 65 and older. By that definition, in 1987 there were just over 30 million elderly people in the United States, more than 12 percent of the total U.S. population of nearly 252 million (Table 3.1).

Do appetite stimulants work for elderly?

Appetite Stimulants Not Recommended in Older Adults

Weight gain may not be an outcome that improves an older adult's functional status or quality of life, and the potential adverse effects may actually increase morbidity and mortality (J Hosp Med 2022;17:389–392).

What food is good for the elderly with no appetite?

High-protein foods
  • meat.
  • oily fish (such as salmon and mackerel)
  • eggs.
  • nuts.
  • full-fat dairy, such as yoghurt or cheese.

Is there a pill to stimulate appetite?

Megestrol (Megace ES), dronabinol (Marinol, Syndros), and oxandrolone are FDA-approved appetite stimulants that can promote weight gain and nutritional intake when needed. Mirtazapine (Remeron) is an antidepressant that's sometimes taken off-label to boost appetite.

What should I eat if I have no appetite?

Include a variety of fruit and vegetables in your diet. You can add extra calories and protein by adding butter, cheese or sauces to vegetables, or custard or cream to fruit. Aim to have starchy foods such as cereals, potatoes, bread and rice at every meal.

What is the best vitamin to increase appetite?

Certain vitamins and minerals, including zinc and vitamin B-1, can increase appetite. However, these usually only work if the person has deficiencies in these nutrients. Other supplements, such as omega-3 fatty acids, may boost appetite.

How do you treat elderly appetite loss?

What can help stimulate an older person's appetite?
  • Keep to a regular daily routine.
  • Combine smaller portions with high nutritional content.
  • Finger Foods.
  • Soups And Smoothies.
  • Increasing calorie intake in a meal to stay nourished and energised.
  • Make mealtime an enjoyable social activity.
  • Incorporate healthy snacks.

What is the name of the syrup for loss of appetite?

Cypon Syrup is indicated for loss of appetite, weight loss, and anorexia nervosa (an eating disorder with low body weight). Cypon Syrup is also prescribed for underweight children with inadequate dietary intake, loss of appetite, anaemia, liver, or digestive disorder.

Why is Megace not recommended for elderly?

Megestrol is weakly associated with weight gain in the frail older adult; however, megestrol is associated with increased risk of death and thromboembolic events (SOR: B, a meta-analysis with moderate heterogeneity and low-quality evidence).

What to give an elderly person who doesn't want to eat?

If the person doesn't want to eat meals at set times or at a table, make finger foods available such as sausage rolls, falafel, samosas, spring rolls, sandwiches, slices of fruit and vegetables so they can snack on these instead.

How can I increase my appetite naturally in the elderly?

Making mealtimes enjoyable social events. Fighting dry mouth. Providing plenty of easy-to-eat finger foods. Offering a wide variety of food options dense in nutritional benefits.

What is the best energy booster for seniors?

9 Unexpected Energy Boosters for Older Adults
  1. Proper Nutrition. A well-balanced diet is essential to consistent energy levels. ...
  2. Eating Breakfast. Breakfast is particularly important to maintain energy throughout the day. ...
  3. Green Tea. ...
  4. B Vitamin Supplements. ...
  5. Drinking Water. ...
  6. Magnesium. ...
  7. Daily Exercise. ...
  8. Consistent Sleep.

What supplements increase appetite for elderly?

B-Complex. B-vitamins help boost the appetite by supporting the nervous system and promoting healthy digestion, which can improve overall appetite and food intake.

Is cinnamon an appetite stimulant?

Cinnamon water or cinnamon tea can help lower your blood sugar levels after dinner. This can help your metabolism, aid in weight loss, and prevent metabolic disease. Cinnamon water or cinnamon tea may also lower your appetite. This can help you avoid late-night snacking and cravings.

What happens to your body at 80 years old?

Muscles tend to lose strength, endurance and flexibility. That in turn can affect coordination, stability and balance. These changes raise the risk of falls. Falling with weaker bones makes it more likely that you could break a bone.

What age is considered old for a woman?

At what age is a person considered elderly? According to the World Health Organization, aging is commonly measured by chronological age. As a convention, a person over age 65 is often referred to as elderly.

What is an 80 year old called?

A person between 60 and 69 is called a sexagenarian. A person between 70 and 79 is called a septuagenarian. A person between 80 and 89 is called an octogenarian. A person between 90 and 99 is called a nonagenarian.

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