Trying to figure out a full liquid diet

kyronae

Hi again. I'm sorry I'm posting so much, recently, and not really contributing to answers. It's been an overwhelming week.

In the past month, my LO (mom) has gone to a full liquid diet. She has a DNR and we cannot do a catheter or feeding tube, so I'm limited on options I can explore.

Right now, she really likes the Boost shakes (the coffee flavor, which is funny to me, because she always hated coffee), but when googling to try and figure out what amount we should be aiming for, all I'm getting is page after page of the downsides of overrelying on Boost.

I get it, but we're also in the final stages, so while an overabundance of sugars isn't ideal, sweet things are about the only thing we can get her to accept, and she'll only take liquids. We tried oatmeal today, with the Boost mixed in for flavor, because she kept trying to chew on my fingers when I held her hand. She accepted it, but then just let it sit in her mouth. She won't chew it. But she drank down half a bottle of Boost without hesitation.

I'm more than willing to make blended drinks for her that are healthier, if she'll accept them, but I could really use help finding actual good recipes so I can buy supplies or (if nothing else) a guide for how much Boost is enough if that's really all she'll take.

Every day is a new day and I will do everything I can to take the "optimal" route, but as many of you know there's nothing really optimal about any of this. Any and all advice is appreciated.

ninalu

Hi kyronae!
If using a blender is an option for you, smoothies have worked great for us. 

Here's a typical recipe that we use:
- 1/3 cup whole milk yogurt or kefir
- 1 medium banana
- 1/2 cup frozen strawberries
- 1/2 cup frozen mango
- 1 scoop vanilla whey protein powder
- 1/2 cup frozen spinach
- 1/4-1/2 tsp cinnamon
- ice cubes to make it colder, if needed, or additional liquid / juice to make it less thick
(put everything into blender and blend for a couple minutes, or until liquified)

You can tailor the ingredients to be sweeter (use sweeter fruits.) You can also swap the yogurt for ice cream to make it richer and more caloric, if only a small amount will go down at a time. 

Finally, there are powdered vitamins that can be added in - even ones especially for seniors - if you'd like to ensure a more nutritionally complete meal. 

Sending good wishes to you and your mom. 

------
Adding to my original post:
The above recipe base is what I've used for a fully liquid diet when solid food wasn't possible due to my own illness & surgery. I was able to survive well on smoothies and various liquids for several months. As counseled by a nutritionist, I always made sure to have protein of some sort (cottage cheese, whey powder, egg powder, soy powder) and to vary the fruits and veggies by color so as to ensure the greatest variety of nutrients. I did use powdered vitamins at that point in time. Hope that this additional context is helpful. I didn't want to appear misleading with this information. My LO / PWD has used my smoothies several times, but we're not at the stage you describe with your mom and I just wanted to clarify that piece. With kindness, Ninalu. 

live in daughter

Hi Kyronae, what about ice cream? When my Mom would spit out food we gave her she would always take ice cream. Yogurt was another item she would eat. We also relied on Boost.

Hope this helps

kyronae

Thank you, guys. Does anyone know about how much we should aim to get into her every day?

I know caloric requirements are less when people aren't physically very active, and that it's more about amounts of nutrients...but they told us my mom would only have about two weeks to live if she wasn't eating. Each day is variable (sometimes she'll take spoonful after spoonful of the boost, sometimes she spits it out), but right now she's still recognizing us and (mostly) happy and calm. She's weak, and I'm not expecting miracles, but on the good days where she WILL eat, I just want to know what to try and reach. If I can track how much she's getting and she's regularly getting close to a decent amount, that will give my family some peace of mind. And if she just isn't there....well...we know we're getting close and we're already prepping for that eventuality, but I want to give us all the time we can get.

The smoothie recipe is great. If anyone else has others they've worked out (or any sites with a compilation of recipes for seniors) that would be amazing, too.

ninalu

Kyronae,
I did a web search for "elder nutrition" and landed on this site: it is authored by a "Registered Dietician and Board-Certified Specialist in Gerontological Nutrition"

This page has some recipes for smoothies and other higher calorie treats: 
https://thegeriatricdietitian.com/nutrition-drinks-for-the-elderly/

Hope this helps!

dayn2nite2

Watch the Boost because it can cause diarrhea.

Marta

Exactly how much to feed depends on her weight. 

However, please be aware that as death approaches, nutrients are no longer being absorbed and utilized, no matter how much is fed. In this case I would go by how much she is willing to take. Ice cream, puddings, custard, and similar foods may be accepted in addition to Boost. 

cregsim

How is your result actually?

Happy with this diet?

Marta

The original post is from ten months ago.