On Jul 11, 7:46*pm, Mark Thorson > wrote:

>
> I am wondering about how taste changes when people
> get old. *Does taste diminish, so should I compensate
> by making food spicier? *Or, should I make food more
> bland?

Are you afraid to ask her opinion. I mean, ask her how she liked
it.....ask her how she would have done it differently if at all.

On Jul 11, 9:46*pm, Mark Thorson > wrote:
>...
> I am wondering about how taste changes when people
> get old. *Does taste diminish, so should I compensate
> by making food spicier? *Or, should I make food more
> bland?

Sense of smell and taste tends to diminish as we get older, so don't
hold back on the spices.

John Kuthe...

On Mon, 11 Jul 2011 18:46:08 -0800, Mark Thorson >
wrote:

> I've got a book she gave me, _Kauai_Cookbook_, which
> has a chapter of Japanese-style recipes which are
> the sort of food she was raised on.

Lucky you! Maybe you can share some of them from time to time, what
you posted sounded very tasty.

> As her memory
> of recent events has been diminishing, she spends
> more time reminising about Kauai. I hear the same
> stories over and over again. I can tell you about
> the roller skating rink my grandfather built, my
> great-aunt who married the head of the rich Kimata
> family (she's still alive at 104), etc.

It's called oral family history, some people record it for posterity.
A local Oahu or Kauai library may jump at the chance to archive it,
heck maybe the SF main library would do it. You have no idea how many
people wish they could learn their family history that way. There are
several people here who will be able to advise you on the care and
feeding of an elder relative (I can think of 3 immediately). Good
luck!

--

Today's mighty oak is just yesterday's nut that held its ground.

I didn't make the whole dinner, just a meat dish,
but it was the first time I made any kind of
dinner food for her. She's really old, and I'm
concerned she isn't eating enough. I had been
cutting up fruit to leave with her, mostly mangos,
papayas, and pineapple, but that's not really
the kind of nutrition I think she needs.

I noticed she's more particular about food than
I remember. I left her some kiwi fruit, and she
gave them to my sister instead of eating them.

I know what food she likes. It's food like her
mother made. That's Japanese food. Not so much
sushi or other food you might get at a restaurant.
More like everyday Japanese food. I marinated some
pork leg in soy sauce and ginger for a couple hours
(one hour is really enough), cut into narrow strips,
then stir fried it. After the meat was nicely done,
cleaned up the fond by stir frying narrow strips
of bamboo shoot, pieces of Shiitake mushrooms,
sliced shallots, and a few dried Thai chili peppers.

It was similar to what she makes for herself. The
dominant flavor was the marinated pork and the
dominant textures were the pork and bamboo shoot.
I didn't use any sugar, cornstarch, or MSG, which
would have made it closer to what she would have
made. I tasted it, and I thought it was better
than what I remember of similar things she made.
I might try cornstarch and maybe white pepper next
time. I considered water chestnuts, but she has
full dentures and I thought maybe that would be
too much texture, but I'm reconsidering.

I've got a book she gave me, _Kauai_Cookbook_, which
has a chapter of Japanese-style recipes which are
the sort of food she was raised on. As her memory
of recent events has been diminishing, she spends
more time reminising about Kauai. I hear the same
stories over and over again. I can tell you about
the roller skating rink my grandfather built, my
great-aunt who married the head of the rich Kimata
family (she's still alive at 104), etc. My mom
was on Oahu during the attack on Pearl Harbor and
heard the attack, but hardly noticed it. It wasn't
until later her school found out what happened.
The attack was announced on the radio, but then they
went back to playing music.

I remember I was particular about food, but as soon
as mom found out I'd be happy eating fried rice
every day, that's what it was. Now it's like the
situation is reversed. At least I won't have to
guess what to make.

I am wondering about how taste changes when people
get old. Does taste diminish, so should I compensate
by making food spicier? Or, should I make food more
bland?

ImStillMags wrote:
>
> On Jul 11, 7:46 pm, Mark Thorson > wrote:
>
> >
> > I am wondering about how taste changes when people
> > get old. Does taste diminish, so should I compensate
> > by making food spicier? Or, should I make food more
> > bland?
>
> Are you afraid to ask her opinion. I mean, ask her how she liked
> it.....ask her how she would have done it differently if at all.

I'll ask how she liked it, but I can tell you right now
she'll say she liked it. If I ask how it might have been
done differently, she'll probably either mention sugar,
MSG, or that cookbook.

John Kuthe > wrote:
> On Jul 11, 9:46 pm, Mark Thorson > wrote:
>> ...
>> I am wondering about how taste changes when people
>> get old. Does taste diminish, so should I compensate
>> by making food spicier? Or, should I make food more
>> bland?
>
> Sense of smell and taste tends to diminish as we get older, so don't
> hold back on the spices.
>
> John Kuthe...

Depends, my mom, 87 years old, taste is "WAS" diminishing also. The doctor
says her tongue is getting smooth that means her taste is going. However,
she also has problems with her stomach and has a hard time with high acidic
foods. She loves spicy foods but pays a price later. She does not like
bland foods but forces herself to eat to keep from loosing weight.

The good news is she is now taking Vitamin B-12 shots and her taste for
foods has dramatically improved. She is now gaining weight again. Even at
88 years old I think her health is better than Mine and her mind is also
very sharp.

--
Enjoy Life... Nad R (Garden in zone 5a Michigan)

On 7/11/2011 7:52 PM, John Kuthe wrote:
> On Jul 11, 9:46 pm, Mark > wrote:
>> ...
>> I am wondering about how taste changes when people
>> get old. Does taste diminish, so should I compensate
>> by making food spicier? Or, should I make food more
>> bland?
>
> Sense of smell and taste tends to diminish as we get older, so don't
> hold back on the spices.
>
> John Kuthe...
>


On the other hand, many older people were raised on bland, non-ethnic
foods and some consider salt, pepper, and a hint of garlic or onion to
be SPICY!

gloria p

Mark Thorson wrote:
> I didn't make the whole dinner, just a meat dish,
> but it was the first time I made any kind of
> dinner food for her. She's really old, and I'm
> concerned she isn't eating enough. I had been
> cutting up fruit to leave with her, mostly mangos,
> papayas, and pineapple, but that's not really
> the kind of nutrition I think she needs.
>
> I noticed she's more particular about food than
> I remember. I left her some kiwi fruit, and she
> gave them to my sister instead of eating them.
>
> I know what food she likes. It's food like her
> mother made. That's Japanese food. Not so much
> sushi or other food you might get at a restaurant.
> More like everyday Japanese food. I marinated some
> pork leg in soy sauce and ginger for a couple hours
> (one hour is really enough), cut into narrow strips,
> then stir fried it. After the meat was nicely done,
> cleaned up the fond by stir frying narrow strips
> of bamboo shoot, pieces of Shiitake mushrooms,
> sliced shallots, and a few dried Thai chili peppers.
>
> It was similar to what she makes for herself. The
> dominant flavor was the marinated pork and the
> dominant textures were the pork and bamboo shoot.
> I didn't use any sugar, cornstarch, or MSG, which
> would have made it closer to what she would have
> made. I tasted it, and I thought it was better
> than what I remember of similar things she made.
> I might try cornstarch and maybe white pepper next
> time. I considered water chestnuts, but she has
> full dentures and I thought maybe that would be
> too much texture, but I'm reconsidering.
>
> I've got a book she gave me, _Kauai_Cookbook_, which
> has a chapter of Japanese-style recipes which are
> the sort of food she was raised on. As her memory
> of recent events has been diminishing, she spends
> more time reminising about Kauai. I hear the same
> stories over and over again. I can tell you about
> the roller skating rink my grandfather built, my
> great-aunt who married the head of the rich Kimata
> family (she's still alive at 104), etc. My mom
> was on Oahu during the attack on Pearl Harbor and
> heard the attack, but hardly noticed it. It wasn't
> until later her school found out what happened.
> The attack was announced on the radio, but then they
> went back to playing music.
>
> I remember I was particular about food, but as soon
> as mom found out I'd be happy eating fried rice
> every day, that's what it was. Now it's like the
> situation is reversed. At least I won't have to
> guess what to make.
>
> I am wondering about how taste changes when people
> get old. Does taste diminish, so should I compensate
> by making food spicier? Or, should I make food more
> bland?

Nice, Mark. I wonder why no sugar? Is she diabetic? I think
Japanese food frequently has some sweetness to it, frequently from
mirin.

I am not as old as your mother, and it is probably very
individual, but I find myself less into ultra-spicy food and more
into comfort food as I get older. I also (unfortunately) am
really liking sweet things.

Can't you ask your mother what she would like? If not, I think
you're doing well to think of the types of food she has cooked for
herself.

--
Jean B.

Mark Thorson wrote:
> ImStillMags wrote:
>> On Jul 11, 7:46 pm, Mark Thorson > wrote:
>>
>>> I am wondering about how taste changes when people
>>> get old. Does taste diminish, so should I compensate
>>> by making food spicier? Or, should I make food more
>>> bland?
>> Are you afraid to ask her opinion. I mean, ask her how she liked
>> it.....ask her how she would have done it differently if at all.
>
> I'll ask how she liked it, but I can tell you right now
> she'll say she liked it. If I ask how it might have been
> done differently, she'll probably either mention sugar,
> MSG, or that cookbook.

Well, after she says she liked it, say you are thinking about
cooking for her more and would like to know what she likes and
dislikes, what she would appreciate the most, what she might have
done differently if she had made the dish. Hey, in days of yore,
I made up a multipage checklist about folks' food preferences.
That might have been overdoing it just a tad <g>, but surely you
can glean some useful information.

--
Jean B.

"Mark Thorson" > wrote in message
...
>I didn't make the whole dinner, just a meat dish,
> but it was the first time I made any kind of
> dinner food for her. She's really old, and I'm
> concerned she isn't eating enough. I had been
> cutting up fruit to leave with her, mostly mangos,
> papayas, and pineapple, but that's not really
> the kind of nutrition I think she needs.
>
> I noticed she's more particular about food than
> I remember. I left her some kiwi fruit, and she
> gave them to my sister instead of eating them.
>
> I know what food she likes. It's food like her
> mother made. That's Japanese food. Not so much
> sushi or other food you might get at a restaurant.
> More like everyday Japanese food. I marinated some
> pork leg in soy sauce and ginger for a couple hours
> (one hour is really enough), cut into narrow strips,
> then stir fried it. After the meat was nicely done,
> cleaned up the fond by stir frying narrow strips
> of bamboo shoot, pieces of Shiitake mushrooms,
> sliced shallots, and a few dried Thai chili peppers.
>
> It was similar to what she makes for herself. The
> dominant flavor was the marinated pork and the
> dominant textures were the pork and bamboo shoot.
> I didn't use any sugar, cornstarch, or MSG, which
> would have made it closer to what she would have
> made. I tasted it, and I thought it was better
> than what I remember of similar things she made.
> I might try cornstarch and maybe white pepper next
> time. I considered water chestnuts, but she has
> full dentures and I thought maybe that would be
> too much texture, but I'm reconsidering.
>
> I've got a book she gave me, _Kauai_Cookbook_, which
> has a chapter of Japanese-style recipes which are
> the sort of food she was raised on. As her memory
> of recent events has been diminishing, she spends
> more time reminising about Kauai. I hear the same
> stories over and over again. I can tell you about
> the roller skating rink my grandfather built, my
> great-aunt who married the head of the rich Kimata
> family (she's still alive at 104), etc. My mom
> was on Oahu during the attack on Pearl Harbor and
> heard the attack, but hardly noticed it. It wasn't
> until later her school found out what happened.
> The attack was announced on the radio, but then they
> went back to playing music.
>
> I remember I was particular about food, but as soon
> as mom found out I'd be happy eating fried rice
> every day, that's what it was. Now it's like the
> situation is reversed. At least I won't have to
> guess what to make.
>
> I am wondering about how taste changes when people
> get old. Does taste diminish, so should I compensate
> by making food spicier? Or, should I make food more
> bland?

I'm not old enough to know. But some years ago we adopted a grandma because
we didn't have any relatives here. Someone (I can't remember who) told us
that their taste buds tend to die off but they can taste sweet foods and
that is what they like. Our adopted grandma was very fond of Lime Jell-O.

My friend went through the same thing with her mom. She was refusing to eat
foods she had always liked. But she liked sweets.

And now I am going through the same problem with my mom. She has been sick
and refusing to eat. So I offered to get her some food from PCC Natural
Market. She agreed to this. I got chicken and brown rice. Her favorite
foods. Or used to be. I had thought she should have soup but she refused
all sorts of soup saying that she hated it. I also got some Falafel,
Pakoras, salad, corn muffins, canned corn and a little lemon cake. I didn't
expect everyone to eat everything. I don't like chicken so got the
vegetarian things for me. But daughter refused to eat the salad which is
why I got her the corn. Yeah, I know corn isn't a vegetable. But she can't
have wheat so the muffins were out for her.

My mom ate a bite or two of the brown rice and the corn. She said she ate
salad but I know she didn't. Refused to touch the chicken and said, "Ugh!"
Ate half of the muffin (it was big), one Pakora, one Falafel and the entire
lemon cake. If I had bought her another cake I'm pretty sure she would have
eaten that as well.

I don't know what the answer is to getting proper nutrition into them. I am
one of those people who is a vegetable pusher. I remember taking my two
nephews and one of their friends to an amusement park. I was horrified
about what they ate for lunch and snacks and insisted we go to a proper
restaurant for dinner so they could have vegetables. I got voted down on
that one. I just can not eat that way. I feel sick if I do.

My mom is a big pusher of desserts for special occasions. We have all tried
to talk her out of this because we are a family of diabetics. Not all are,
but many are. And many are overweight. We simply do not need the desserts.
She keeps insisting that everyone wants them despite the fact that we have
discussed this both in front of her and behind her back and we've come to
the conclusion that *she* is the one who wants the desserts. I think my dad
does too but he is not vocal about it.

Anyway... If we go to a buffet, my mom will take three desserts and usually
also some kind of sweet muffin. Also fried okra. In other words all things
that are not necessarily good for you nutritionwise. She did go through a
big fruit phase some years ago where she ate mainly fruit for her meals and
then of course the desserts. She also loves things like waffles, fried
cinnamon rolls with maple syrup and any kind of bakery items as a meal.
Just not good. Good luck with your mom!

"ImStillMags" > wrote in message
...
On Jul 11, 7:46 pm, Mark Thorson > wrote:

>
> I am wondering about how taste changes when people
> get old. Does taste diminish, so should I compensate
> by making food spicier? Or, should I make food more
> bland?

Are you afraid to ask her opinion. I mean, ask her how she liked
it.....ask her how she would have done it differently if at all.

That is a very good idea, unless she won't say what she wants to eat. I
went through this with my MIL. She would say she would anything. But then
I learned that I couldn't keep any sweets in the house or she would get into
them. And she wasn't supposed to have them.

add some msg if she is used to it, it enhances flavor and might get her to
eat more, om puts in her dads food to good effect...

I am proud you are being responsible for your family, Lee


"Mark Thorson" > wrote in message
...
>I didn't make the whole dinner, just a meat dish,
> but it was the first time I made any kind of
> dinner food for her. She's really old, and I'm
> concerned she isn't eating enough. I had been
> cutting up fruit to leave with her, mostly mangos,
> papayas, and pineapple, but that's not really
> the kind of nutrition I think she needs.
>
> I noticed she's more particular about food than
> I remember. I left her some kiwi fruit, and she
> gave them to my sister instead of eating them.
>
> I know what food she likes. It's food like her
> mother made. That's Japanese food. Not so much
> sushi or other food you might get at a restaurant.
> More like everyday Japanese food. I marinated some
> pork leg in soy sauce and ginger for a couple hours
> (one hour is really enough), cut into narrow strips,
> then stir fried it. After the meat was nicely done,
> cleaned up the fond by stir frying narrow strips
> of bamboo shoot, pieces of Shiitake mushrooms,
> sliced shallots, and a few dried Thai chili peppers.
>
> It was similar to what she makes for herself. The
> dominant flavor was the marinated pork and the
> dominant textures were the pork and bamboo shoot.
> I didn't use any sugar, cornstarch, or MSG, which
> would have made it closer to what she would have
> made. I tasted it, and I thought it was better
> than what I remember of similar things she made.
> I might try cornstarch and maybe white pepper next
> time. I considered water chestnuts, but she has
> full dentures and I thought maybe that would be
> too much texture, but I'm reconsidering.
>
> I've got a book she gave me, _Kauai_Cookbook_, which
> has a chapter of Japanese-style recipes which are
> the sort of food she was raised on. As her memory
> of recent events has been diminishing, she spends
> more time reminising about Kauai. I hear the same
> stories over and over again. I can tell you about
> the roller skating rink my grandfather built, my
> great-aunt who married the head of the rich Kimata
> family (she's still alive at 104), etc. My mom
> was on Oahu during the attack on Pearl Harbor and
> heard the attack, but hardly noticed it. It wasn't
> until later her school found out what happened.
> The attack was announced on the radio, but then they
> went back to playing music.
>
> I remember I was particular about food, but as soon
> as mom found out I'd be happy eating fried rice
> every day, that's what it was. Now it's like the
> situation is reversed. At least I won't have to
> guess what to make.
>
> I am wondering about how taste changes when people
> get old. Does taste diminish, so should I compensate
> by making food spicier? Or, should I make food more
> bland?

In article >,
Mark Thorson > wrote:

> I didn't make the whole dinner, just a meat dish,
> but it was the first time I made any kind of
> dinner food for her. She's really old, and I'm
> concerned she isn't eating enough. I had been
> cutting up fruit to leave with her, mostly mangos,
> papayas, and pineapple, but that's not really
> the kind of nutrition I think she needs.
(snip nice story)
> I am wondering about how taste changes when people
> get old. Does taste diminish, so should I compensate
> by making food spicier? Or, should I make food more
> bland?

My sense of smell is not what it was and that affects how taste is
perceived. If you asked her what the foods need (perhaps she likes it
just the way you did it), would she tell you if things tasted flat or
lacking? Does she have any particular dietary restrictions?

Good on you, Mark, for caring about her and actively wanting to improve
her life.

--
Barb,
The latest jammin'; http://web.me.com/barbschaller July 1, 2011

"Christine Dabney" <>>It's called oral family history, some people record it
for posterity.
>>A local Oahu or Kauai library may jump at the chance to archive it,
>>heck maybe the SF main library would do it. You have no idea how many
>>people wish they could learn their family history that way. There are
>>several people here who will be able to advise you on the care and
>>feeding of an elder relative (I can think of 3 immediately). Good
>>luck!
>
> I would get a tape recorder and tape her stories. This stuff is
> priceless....
>
> Christine

Hmmmm. Lots to think about here. Our senses of smell and taste have not
diminished. It probably would be helpful to define 'spicy' as relates to
your mother. Are we talking about heat or herbs or simple cinnamon buns?
Just us - but MSG is definitely avoided here. God bless you, Mark, for your
concern for your Mom and for cooking for her. I'm sure anything our
offspring cook for us will be wonderful, even if it kills us. Polly

Julie Bove wrote:
> "Mark Thorson" > wrote in message
> ...
>> I didn't make the whole dinner, just a meat dish,
>> but it was the first time I made any kind of
>> dinner food for her. She's really old, and I'm
>> concerned she isn't eating enough. I had been
>> cutting up fruit to leave with her, mostly mangos,
>> papayas, and pineapple, but that's not really
>> the kind of nutrition I think she needs.
>>
>> I noticed she's more particular about food than
>> I remember. I left her some kiwi fruit, and she
>> gave them to my sister instead of eating them.
>>
>> I know what food she likes. It's food like her
>> mother made. That's Japanese food. Not so much
>> sushi or other food you might get at a restaurant.
>> More like everyday Japanese food. I marinated some
>> pork leg in soy sauce and ginger for a couple hours
>> (one hour is really enough), cut into narrow strips,
>> then stir fried it. After the meat was nicely done,
>> cleaned up the fond by stir frying narrow strips
>> of bamboo shoot, pieces of Shiitake mushrooms,
>> sliced shallots, and a few dried Thai chili peppers.
>>
>> It was similar to what she makes for herself. The
>> dominant flavor was the marinated pork and the
>> dominant textures were the pork and bamboo shoot.
>> I didn't use any sugar, cornstarch, or MSG, which
>> would have made it closer to what she would have
>> made. I tasted it, and I thought it was better
>> than what I remember of similar things she made.
>> I might try cornstarch and maybe white pepper next
>> time. I considered water chestnuts, but she has
>> full dentures and I thought maybe that would be
>> too much texture, but I'm reconsidering.
>>
>> I've got a book she gave me, _Kauai_Cookbook_, which
>> has a chapter of Japanese-style recipes which are
>> the sort of food she was raised on. As her memory
>> of recent events has been diminishing, she spends
>> more time reminising about Kauai. I hear the same
>> stories over and over again. I can tell you about
>> the roller skating rink my grandfather built, my
>> great-aunt who married the head of the rich Kimata
>> family (she's still alive at 104), etc. My mom
>> was on Oahu during the attack on Pearl Harbor and
>> heard the attack, but hardly noticed it. It wasn't
>> until later her school found out what happened.
>> The attack was announced on the radio, but then they
>> went back to playing music.
>>
>> I remember I was particular about food, but as soon
>> as mom found out I'd be happy eating fried rice
>> every day, that's what it was. Now it's like the
>> situation is reversed. At least I won't have to
>> guess what to make.
>>
>> I am wondering about how taste changes when people
>> get old. Does taste diminish, so should I compensate
>> by making food spicier? Or, should I make food more
>> bland?
>
> I'm not old enough to know. But some years ago we adopted a grandma because
> we didn't have any relatives here. Someone (I can't remember who) told us
> that their taste buds tend to die off but they can taste sweet foods and
> that is what they like. Our adopted grandma was very fond of Lime Jell-O.
>
> My friend went through the same thing with her mom. She was refusing to eat
> foods she had always liked. But she liked sweets.
>
> And now I am going through the same problem with my mom. She has been sick
> and refusing to eat. So I offered to get her some food from PCC Natural
> Market. She agreed to this. I got chicken and brown rice. Her favorite
> foods. Or used to be. I had thought she should have soup but she refused
> all sorts of soup saying that she hated it. I also got some Falafel,
> Pakoras, salad, corn muffins, canned corn and a little lemon cake. I didn't
> expect everyone to eat everything. I don't like chicken so got the
> vegetarian things for me. But daughter refused to eat the salad which is
> why I got her the corn. Yeah, I know corn isn't a vegetable. But she can't
> have wheat so the muffins were out for her.
>
> My mom ate a bite or two of the brown rice and the corn. She said she ate
> salad but I know she didn't. Refused to touch the chicken and said, "Ugh!"
> Ate half of the muffin (it was big), one Pakora, one Falafel and the entire
> lemon cake. If I had bought her another cake I'm pretty sure she would have
> eaten that as well.
>
> I don't know what the answer is to getting proper nutrition into them. I am
> one of those people who is a vegetable pusher. I remember taking my two
> nephews and one of their friends to an amusement park. I was horrified
> about what they ate for lunch and snacks and insisted we go to a proper
> restaurant for dinner so they could have vegetables. I got voted down on
> that one. I just can not eat that way. I feel sick if I do.
>
> My mom is a big pusher of desserts for special occasions. We have all tried
> to talk her out of this because we are a family of diabetics. Not all are,
> but many are. And many are overweight. We simply do not need the desserts.
> She keeps insisting that everyone wants them despite the fact that we have
> discussed this both in front of her and behind her back and we've come to
> the conclusion that *she* is the one who wants the desserts. I think my dad
> does too but he is not vocal about it.
>
> Anyway... If we go to a buffet, my mom will take three desserts and usually
> also some kind of sweet muffin. Also fried okra. In other words all things
> that are not necessarily good for you nutritionwise. She did go through a
> big fruit phase some years ago where she ate mainly fruit for her meals and
> then of course the desserts. She also loves things like waffles, fried
> cinnamon rolls with maple syrup and any kind of bakery items as a meal.
> Just not good. Good luck with your mom!
>
>
Well, you have your cues then. Make her things that are fruity or
otherwise sweet. Her gravitation toward sweetness does not
exclude nutritious food! Be creative! And you say she has been
sick and is refusing to eat. Don't you think getting her to eat
is more important right now than than the standards you have set
for yourself?

--
Jean B.

"Jean B." > wrote in message
...
> Julie Bove wrote:
>> "Mark Thorson" > wrote in message
>> ...
>>> I didn't make the whole dinner, just a meat dish,
>>> but it was the first time I made any kind of
>>> dinner food for her. She's really old, and I'm
>>> concerned she isn't eating enough. I had been
>>> cutting up fruit to leave with her, mostly mangos,
>>> papayas, and pineapple, but that's not really
>>> the kind of nutrition I think she needs.
>>>
>>> I noticed she's more particular about food than
>>> I remember. I left her some kiwi fruit, and she
>>> gave them to my sister instead of eating them.
>>>
>>> I know what food she likes. It's food like her
>>> mother made. That's Japanese food. Not so much
>>> sushi or other food you might get at a restaurant.
>>> More like everyday Japanese food. I marinated some
>>> pork leg in soy sauce and ginger for a couple hours
>>> (one hour is really enough), cut into narrow strips,
>>> then stir fried it. After the meat was nicely done,
>>> cleaned up the fond by stir frying narrow strips
>>> of bamboo shoot, pieces of Shiitake mushrooms,
>>> sliced shallots, and a few dried Thai chili peppers.
>>>
>>> It was similar to what she makes for herself. The
>>> dominant flavor was the marinated pork and the
>>> dominant textures were the pork and bamboo shoot.
>>> I didn't use any sugar, cornstarch, or MSG, which
>>> would have made it closer to what she would have
>>> made. I tasted it, and I thought it was better
>>> than what I remember of similar things she made.
>>> I might try cornstarch and maybe white pepper next
>>> time. I considered water chestnuts, but she has
>>> full dentures and I thought maybe that would be
>>> too much texture, but I'm reconsidering.
>>>
>>> I've got a book she gave me, _Kauai_Cookbook_, which
>>> has a chapter of Japanese-style recipes which are
>>> the sort of food she was raised on. As her memory
>>> of recent events has been diminishing, she spends
>>> more time reminising about Kauai. I hear the same
>>> stories over and over again. I can tell you about
>>> the roller skating rink my grandfather built, my
>>> great-aunt who married the head of the rich Kimata
>>> family (she's still alive at 104), etc. My mom
>>> was on Oahu during the attack on Pearl Harbor and
>>> heard the attack, but hardly noticed it. It wasn't
>>> until later her school found out what happened.
>>> The attack was announced on the radio, but then they
>>> went back to playing music.
>>>
>>> I remember I was particular about food, but as soon
>>> as mom found out I'd be happy eating fried rice
>>> every day, that's what it was. Now it's like the
>>> situation is reversed. At least I won't have to
>>> guess what to make.
>>>
>>> I am wondering about how taste changes when people
>>> get old. Does taste diminish, so should I compensate
>>> by making food spicier? Or, should I make food more
>>> bland?
>>
>> I'm not old enough to know. But some years ago we adopted a grandma
>> because we didn't have any relatives here. Someone (I can't remember
>> who) told us that their taste buds tend to die off but they can taste
>> sweet foods and that is what they like. Our adopted grandma was very
>> fond of Lime Jell-O.
>>
>> My friend went through the same thing with her mom. She was refusing to
>> eat foods she had always liked. But she liked sweets.
>>
>> And now I am going through the same problem with my mom. She has been
>> sick and refusing to eat. So I offered to get her some food from PCC
>> Natural Market. She agreed to this. I got chicken and brown rice. Her
>> favorite foods. Or used to be. I had thought she should have soup but
>> she refused all sorts of soup saying that she hated it. I also got some
>> Falafel, Pakoras, salad, corn muffins, canned corn and a little lemon
>> cake. I didn't expect everyone to eat everything. I don't like chicken
>> so got the vegetarian things for me. But daughter refused to eat the
>> salad which is why I got her the corn. Yeah, I know corn isn't a
>> vegetable. But she can't have wheat so the muffins were out for her.
>>
>> My mom ate a bite or two of the brown rice and the corn. She said she
>> ate salad but I know she didn't. Refused to touch the chicken and said,
>> "Ugh!" Ate half of the muffin (it was big), one Pakora, one Falafel and
>> the entire lemon cake. If I had bought her another cake I'm pretty sure
>> she would have eaten that as well.
>>
>> I don't know what the answer is to getting proper nutrition into them. I
>> am one of those people who is a vegetable pusher. I remember taking my
>> two nephews and one of their friends to an amusement park. I was
>> horrified about what they ate for lunch and snacks and insisted we go to
>> a proper restaurant for dinner so they could have vegetables. I got
>> voted down on that one. I just can not eat that way. I feel sick if I
>> do.
>>
>> My mom is a big pusher of desserts for special occasions. We have all
>> tried to talk her out of this because we are a family of diabetics. Not
>> all are, but many are. And many are overweight. We simply do not need
>> the desserts. She keeps insisting that everyone wants them despite the
>> fact that we have discussed this both in front of her and behind her
>> back and we've come to the conclusion that *she* is the one who wants the
>> desserts. I think my dad does too but he is not vocal about it.
>>
>> Anyway... If we go to a buffet, my mom will take three desserts and
>> usually also some kind of sweet muffin. Also fried okra. In other words
>> all things that are not necessarily good for you nutritionwise. She did
>> go through a big fruit phase some years ago where she ate mainly fruit
>> for her meals and then of course the desserts. She also loves things
>> like waffles, fried cinnamon rolls with maple syrup and any kind of
>> bakery items as a meal. Just not good. Good luck with your mom!
> Well, you have your cues then. Make her things that are fruity or
> otherwise sweet. Her gravitation toward sweetness does not exclude
> nutritious food! Be creative! And you say she has been sick and is
> refusing to eat. Don't you think getting her to eat is more important
> right now than than the standards you have set for yourself?

Well considering that she is overweight, no. However she will never eat the
way I do. And I'm not going to try to make her.

On Jul 11, 9:46*pm, Mark Thorson > wrote:
> I didn't make the whole dinner, just a meat dish,
> but it was the first time I made any kind of
> dinner food for her. *She's really old, and I'm
> concerned she isn't eating enough. *I had been
> cutting up fruit to leave with her, mostly mangos,
> papayas, and pineapple, but that's not really
> the kind of nutrition I think she needs.
>
> I noticed she's more particular about food than
> I remember. *I left her some kiwi fruit, and she
> gave them to my sister instead of eating them.

Well, maybe the woman wanted a damn sandwich!

>
> I know what food she likes. *It's food like her
> mother made. *That's Japanese food. *Not so much
> sushi or other food you might get at a restaurant.
> More like everyday Japanese food. *I marinated some
> pork leg in soy sauce and ginger for a couple hours
> (one hour is really enough), cut into narrow strips,
> then stir fried it. *After the meat was nicely done,
> cleaned up the fond by stir frying narrow strips
> of bamboo shoot, pieces of Shiitake mushrooms,
> sliced shallots, and a few dried Thai chili peppers.
>
> It was similar to what she makes for herself. *The
> dominant flavor was the marinated pork and the
> dominant textures were the pork and bamboo shoot.
> I didn't use any sugar, cornstarch, or MSG, which
> would have made it closer to what she would have
> made. *I tasted it, and I thought it was better
> than what I remember of similar things she made.
> I might try cornstarch and maybe white pepper next
> time. *I considered water chestnuts, but she has
> full dentures and I thought maybe that would be
> too much texture, but I'm reconsidering.
>
> I've got a book she gave me, _Kauai_Cookbook_, which
> has a chapter of Japanese-style recipes which are
> the sort of food she was raised on. *As her memory
> of recent events has been diminishing, she spends
> more time reminising about Kauai. *I hear the same
> stories over and over again. *I can tell you about
> the roller skating rink my grandfather built, my
> great-aunt who married the head of the rich Kimata
> family (she's still alive at 104), etc. *My mom
> was on Oahu during the attack on Pearl Harbor and
> heard the attack, but hardly noticed it. *It wasn't
> until later her school found out what happened.
> The attack was announced on the radio, but then they
> went back to playing music.
>
> I remember I was particular about food, but as soon
> as mom found out I'd be happy eating fried rice
> every day, that's what it was. *Now it's like the
> situation is reversed. *At least I won't have to
> guess what to make.
>
> I am wondering about how taste changes when people
> get old. *Does taste diminish, so should I compensate
> by making food spicier? *Or, should I make food more
> bland?

On 7/11/2011 10:46 PM, Mark Thorson wrote:
> I didn't make the whole dinner, just a meat dish,
> but it was the first time I made any kind of
> dinner food for her. She's really old, and I'm
> concerned she isn't eating enough. I am wondering about how taste changes when people
> get old. Does taste diminish, so should I compensate
> by making food spicier? Or, should I make food more
> bland?

Old people tend to like very sweet foods with bland smooth textures.
Lots of old people are sugar-holics.
They are regressing back to childhood, where simple sweet foods were
preferred. Spicy or crunchy foods would not be a good choice, and many
meats are often eschewed by seniors. If you can pack fiber and fat,
which are needed by old bodies, into sweet-tasting smooth-textured
foods, do that.

On Mon, 11 Jul 2011 23:33:32 -0400, "Jean B." > wrote:

> Well, after she says she liked it, say you are thinking about
> cooking for her more and would like to know what she likes and
> dislikes, what she would appreciate the most, what she might have
> done differently if she had made the dish. Hey, in days of yore,
> I made up a multipage checklist about folks' food preferences.
> That might have been overdoing it just a tad <g>, but surely you
> can glean some useful information.

Mothers will always tell their child whatever s/he made was wonderful.
It's pretty hard to drag the truth out. You should know that.

--

Today's mighty oak is just yesterday's nut that held its ground.

On Mon, 11 Jul 2011 21:06:42 -0600, "gloria.p" >
wrote:

> On the other hand, many older people were raised on bland, non-ethnic
> foods and some consider salt, pepper, and a hint of garlic or onion to
> be SPICY!

I know what you mean, but it's sooo boring! Ugh, I hope I'm never
that way.

--

Today's mighty oak is just yesterday's nut that held its ground.

"Mark Thorson" > wrote in message
...
> ImStillMags wrote:
>>
>> On Jul 11, 7:46 pm, Mark Thorson > wrote:
>>
>> >
>> > I am wondering about how taste changes when people
>> > get old. Does taste diminish, so should I compensate
>> > by making food spicier? Or, should I make food more
>> > bland?
>>
>> Are you afraid to ask her opinion. I mean, ask her how she liked
>> it.....ask her how she would have done it differently if at all.
>
> I'll ask how she liked it, but I can tell you right now
> she'll say she liked it. If I ask how it might have been
> done differently, she'll probably either mention sugar,
> MSG, or that cookbook.

Don't discount MSG. A pinch in a dish can enhance it, especially for
someone with older taste buds.

On 11/07/2011 10:46 PM, Mark Thorson wrote:

> I am wondering about how taste changes when people
> get old. Does taste diminish, so should I compensate
> by making food spicier? Or, should I make food more
> bland?



Older people tend to have a diminished sense of taste and it is
sometimes recommended that you season the food with a little extra salt
and pepper. That might be a problem if they are on a salt reduced diet.
A lot of older people are not interested in spicy foods.

On 7/11/2011 11:36 PM, Julie Bove wrote:
> "Mark > wrote

>> I am wondering about how taste changes when people
>> get old. Does taste diminish, so should I compensate
>> by making food spicier? Or, should I make food more
>> bland?
>
> I'm not old enough to know. But some years ago we adopted a grandma because
> we didn't have any relatives here. Someone (I can't remember who) told us
> that their taste buds tend to die off but they can taste sweet foods and
> that is what they like. Our adopted grandma was very fond of Lime Jell-O.
>
> My friend went through the same thing with her mom. She was refusing to eat
> foods she had always liked. But she liked sweets.

I've noticed the same thing with my inlaws and others, they tend to have
developed quite a sweet tooth. I say if you're that old, eat what you
want. But you do have to be concerned about digestive issues, spicy
foods could be troublesome. And don't forget about fiber, I learned
that all that soft food they would gravitate to isn't helpful. There's
a reason for all those prune jokes.

nancy

On Jul 11, 10:36*pm, "Julie Bove" > wrote:

> My mom is a big pusher of desserts for special occasions. *We have all tried
> to talk her out of this because we are a family of diabetics. *Not all are,
> but many are. *And many are overweight. *We simply do not need the desserts.
> She keeps insisting that everyone wants them despite the fact that we have
> discussed this both in front of her and *behind her back and we've come to
> the conclusion that *she* is the one who wants the desserts. *I think my dad
> does too but he is not vocal about it.
>
> Anyway... *If we go to a buffet, my mom will take three desserts and usually
> also some kind of sweet muffin. *Also fried okra. *In other words all things
> that are not necessarily good for you nutritionwise. *She did go through a
> big fruit phase some years ago where she ate mainly fruit for her meals and
> then of course the desserts. *She also loves things like waffles, fried
> cinnamon rolls with maple syrup and any kind of bakery items as a meal.
> Just not good. *Good luck with your mom!

Yep, yer mom is nuts. The apple doesn't fall far from the tree.

"Nancy Young" <email@replyto> wrote in message
.com...
> On 7/11/2011 11:36 PM, Julie Bove wrote:
>> "Mark > wrote
>
>>> I am wondering about how taste changes when people
>>> get old. Does taste diminish, so should I compensate
>>> by making food spicier? Or, should I make food more
>>> bland?
>>
>> I'm not old enough to know. But some years ago we adopted a grandma
>> because
>> we didn't have any relatives here. Someone (I can't remember who) told
>> us
>> that their taste buds tend to die off but they can taste sweet foods and
>> that is what they like. Our adopted grandma was very fond of Lime
>> Jell-O.
>>
>> My friend went through the same thing with her mom. She was refusing to
>> eat
>> foods she had always liked. But she liked sweets.
>
> I've noticed the same thing with my inlaws and others, they tend to have
> developed quite a sweet tooth. I say if you're that old, eat what you
> want. But you do have to be concerned about digestive issues, spicy foods
> could be troublesome. And don't forget about fiber, I learned
> that all that soft food they would gravitate to isn't helpful. There's
> a reason for all those prune jokes.

Hmm I wonder how much fibre you could get with dried zucchini...

On 7/12/2011 8:20 AM, projectile vomit chick wrote:

> A good argument for euthanasia. Thanks.


The difference between my MIL and you.... When she died, people were
sad and they still miss her. When you die..... not so much.

George L

George Leppla wrote:
>projectile vomit chick wrote:
>
>> A good argument for euthanasia. Thanks.
>
>
>The difference between my MIL and you.... When she died, people were
>sad and they still miss her. When you die..... not so much.

When Gorge dies lard will go on sale.

gloria.p wrote:
>
> On the other hand, many older people were raised on bland, non-ethnic
> foods and some consider salt, pepper, and a hint of garlic or onion to
> be SPICY!

And as we age our digestion gets weaker. Spicy foods can cause
indigestion in older folks. I even noticed that in myself as I entered
my 50s, to a small extent so far but that calendar is going to keep
flipping pages.

On Jul 12, 8:16*am, George Leppla > wrote:

...

.... for now, every meal out is an adventure and sometimes, a good
story.

Bless you, George. I'm sure there's a lot more you didn't write.

Jerry
--
Engineering is the art of making what you want from things you can get.

On Jul 12, 9:20*am, projectile vomit chick
> wrote:
> On Jul 12, 7:16*am, George Leppla > wrote:

...

> A good argument for euthanasia. *Thanks.

Imposed, or voluntary?

On 7/12/2011 9:33 AM, Ophelia wrote:
>
>
> "Nancy Young" <email@replyto> wrote

>> want. But you do have to be concerned about digestive issues, spicy
>> foods could be troublesome. And don't forget about fiber, I learned
>> that all that soft food they would gravitate to isn't helpful. There's
>> a reason for all those prune jokes.
>
> Hmm I wonder how much fibre you could get with dried zucchini...

(laugh) Or cucumbers. I think if cucumber dehydrate they'd just
disappear.

nancy

"Nancy Young" <email@replyto> wrote in message
.com...
> On 7/12/2011 9:33 AM, Ophelia wrote:
>>
>>
>> "Nancy Young" <email@replyto> wrote
>
>>> want. But you do have to be concerned about digestive issues, spicy
>>> foods could be troublesome. And don't forget about fiber, I learned
>>> that all that soft food they would gravitate to isn't helpful. There's
>>> a reason for all those prune jokes.
>>
>> Hmm I wonder how much fibre you could get with dried zucchini...
>
> (laugh) Or cucumbers. I think if cucumber dehydrate they'd just
> disappear.

I didn't like to mention the cucumbers...

On 7/11/2011 9:46 PM, Mark Thorson wrote:
> I remember I was particular about food, but as soon
> as mom found out I'd be happy eating fried rice
> every day, that's what it was. Now it's like the
> situation is reversed. At least I won't have to
> guess what to make.
>
> I am wondering about how taste changes when people
> get old. Does taste diminish, so should I compensate
> by making food spicier? Or, should I make food more
> bland?

It is wonderful that you are cooking for your mother. At this point in
their lives, what else can we do for them. My mother, like yours,
likes the food she has been eating all her life. She likes healthy
food, if you do not count Coca-Cola. She can still eat jalapenos, one
right after the other, so I guess she is doing okay. She was an
alcoholic for 25 years and a chain smoker, so wee are lucky that she has
lived this long.

Becca

On Jul 11, 7:46*pm, Mark Thorson > wrote:
> I didn't make the whole dinner, just a meat dish,
> but it was the first time I made any kind of
> dinner food for her. *She's really old, and I'm
> concerned she isn't eating enough. *I had been
> cutting up fruit to leave with her, mostly mangos,
> papayas, and pineapple, but that's not really
> the kind of nutrition I think she needs.
>
> I noticed she's more particular about food than
> I remember. *I left her some kiwi fruit, and she
> gave them to my sister instead of eating them.
>
> I know what food she likes. *It's food like her
> mother made. *That's Japanese food. *Not so much
> sushi or other food you might get at a restaurant.
> More like everyday Japanese food. *I marinated some
> pork leg in soy sauce and ginger for a couple hours
> (one hour is really enough), cut into narrow strips,
> then stir fried it. *After the meat was nicely done,
> cleaned up the fond by stir frying narrow strips
> of bamboo shoot, pieces of Shiitake mushrooms,
> sliced shallots, and a few dried Thai chili peppers.
>
> It was similar to what she makes for herself. *The
> dominant flavor was the marinated pork and the
> dominant textures were the pork and bamboo shoot.
> I didn't use any sugar, cornstarch, or MSG, which
> would have made it closer to what she would have
> made. *I tasted it, and I thought it was better
> than what I remember of similar things she made.
> I might try cornstarch and maybe white pepper next
> time. *I considered water chestnuts, but she has
> full dentures and I thought maybe that would be
> too much texture, but I'm reconsidering.
>
> I've got a book she gave me, _Kauai_Cookbook_, which
> has a chapter of Japanese-style recipes which are
> the sort of food she was raised on. *As her memory
> of recent events has been diminishing, she spends
> more time reminising about Kauai. *I hear the same
> stories over and over again. *I can tell you about
> the roller skating rink my grandfather built, my
> great-aunt who married the head of the rich Kimata
> family (she's still alive at 104), etc. *My mom
> was on Oahu during the attack on Pearl Harbor and
> heard the attack, but hardly noticed it. *It wasn't
> until later her school found out what happened.
> The attack was announced on the radio, but then they
> went back to playing music.
>
> I remember I was particular about food, but as soon
> as mom found out I'd be happy eating fried rice
> every day, that's what it was. *Now it's like the
> situation is reversed. *At least I won't have to
> guess what to make.
>
> I am wondering about how taste changes when people
> get old. *Does taste diminish, so should I compensate
> by making food spicier? *Or, should I make food more
> bland?

good thought to cook for a mother.....gud mesg u gave

On Tue, 12 Jul 2011 15:43:47 +0000 (UTC), Doug Freyburger
> wrote:

> gloria.p wrote:
> >
> > On the other hand, many older people were raised on bland, non-ethnic
> > foods and some consider salt, pepper, and a hint of garlic or onion to
> > be SPICY!
>
> And as we age our digestion gets weaker. Spicy foods can cause
> indigestion in older folks. I even noticed that in myself as I entered
> my 50s, to a small extent so far but that calendar is going to keep
> flipping pages.

The man at the Arab market I found told me cumin is used for digestive
purposes. I didn't know.

--

Today's mighty oak is just yesterday's nut that held its ground.

"Ophelia" > wrote:
>
>
>"Nancy Young" <email@replyto> wrote in message
s.com...
>> On 7/12/2011 9:33 AM, Ophelia wrote:
>>>
>>>
>>> "Nancy Young" <email@replyto> wrote
>>
>>>> want. But you do have to be concerned about digestive issues, spicy
>>>> foods could be troublesome. And don't forget about fiber, I learned
>>>> that all that soft food they would gravitate to isn't helpful. There's
>>>> a reason for all those prune jokes.
>>>
>>> Hmm I wonder how much fibre you could get with dried zucchini...
>>
>> (laugh) Or cucumbers. I think if cucumber dehydrate they'd just
>> disappear.
>
>I didn't like to mention the cucumbers...

Why... what do you use them for that we shouldn't know about... ?

"Brooklyn1" <Gravesend1> wrote in message
...
> "Ophelia" > wrote:
>>
>>
>>"Nancy Young" <email@replyto> wrote in message
ws.com...
>>> On 7/12/2011 9:33 AM, Ophelia wrote:
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> "Nancy Young" <email@replyto> wrote
>>>
>>>>> want. But you do have to be concerned about digestive issues, spicy
>>>>> foods could be troublesome. And don't forget about fiber, I learned
>>>>> that all that soft food they would gravitate to isn't helpful. There's
>>>>> a reason for all those prune jokes.
>>>>
>>>> Hmm I wonder how much fibre you could get with dried zucchini...
>>>
>>> (laugh) Or cucumbers. I think if cucumber dehydrate they'd just
>>> disappear.
>>
>>I didn't like to mention the cucumbers...
>
> Why... what do you use them for that we shouldn't know about... ?

Oh they are not MY cucumbers... Our Nancy is having a few problems with an
excess and I am trying to be very helpful <g> I think she is already
dumping some at the market)

gloria.p wrote:

> On 7/11/2011 7:52 PM, John Kuthe wrote:
> >On Jul 11, 9:46 pm, Mark > wrote:
> > > ...
> > > I am wondering about how taste changes when people
> > > get old. Does taste diminish, so should I compensate
> > > by making food spicier? Or, should I make food more
> > > bland?
> >
> > Sense of smell and taste tends to diminish as we get older, so don't
> > hold back on the spices.
>
> On the other hand, many older people were raised on bland, non-ethnic
> foods and some consider salt, pepper, and a hint of garlic or onion
> to be SPICY!

And some were raised on bland ethnic foods.

--
Dan Goodman
dsgood on DreamWidth, LiveJournal, InsaneJournal, Diaspora, Twitter,
Gratlingo
Dan Goodman on Facebook

sf wrote:
>
> On Mon, 11 Jul 2011 23:33:32 -0400, "Jean B." > wrote:
>
> > Well, after she says she liked it, say you are thinking about
> > cooking for her more and would like to know what she likes and
> > dislikes, what she would appreciate the most, what she might have
> > done differently if she had made the dish. Hey, in days of yore,
> > I made up a multipage checklist about folks' food preferences.
> > That might have been overdoing it just a tad <g>, but surely you
> > can glean some useful information.
>
> Mothers will always tell their child whatever s/he made was wonderful.
> It's pretty hard to drag the truth out. You should know that.

She said it was good. I asked whether it was too salty,
and she didn't think so. I thought might be because I
marinated for two hours instead of one. I cut the meat
into large strips for marination, then cut those into
smaller strips for frying, so each strip had both highly
marinated places and less marinated places, which seemed
to turn out well.

After I left it with her, I realized I hadn't warned her
there were whole dried chili peppers in there, but she
saw them and picked them out so no problem.

I bought some more pork leg so I can do more experimentation.
I also bought cornstarch and white pepper, so I'll play
around with those. Since it'll be eaten with rice, it
would be if it had a sauce.

sf wrote:
>
> The man at the Arab market I found told me cumin is used for digestive
> purposes. I didn't know.

Hmmm . . . cumin isn't traditional in Japanese cooking
but it might be good. I've got cumin.