{"id":838885,"date":"2026-09-06T22:58:20","date_gmt":"2026-09-06T22:58:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/838885\/"},"modified":"2026-09-06T22:58:20","modified_gmt":"2026-09-06T22:58:20","slug":"5-small-changes-to-eating-habits-that-can-be-signs-of-dementia","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/838885\/","title":{"rendered":"5 Small Changes To Eating Habits That Can Be Signs Of Dementia"},"content":{"rendered":"

Once your parents, grandparents or other older adults in your life reach a certain age, it\u2019s natural to become hypervigilant about their changing health, wanting to catch any potential issues as soon as possible. (Not to mention, it makes you more self-aware about your own signs of aging.) Certainly, that includes being aware of the early signs of dementia<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Though there is no cure for dementia (which is an umbrella term describing multiple forms of cognitive impairment, with Alzheimer\u2019s disease being the most common type), there are treatments that can slow progression so those who have it can have a better quality of life for longer. While memory problems are the hallmark symptom of dementia that many people focus on, it\u2019s not the only early sign of dementia<\/a>. Certain changes in eating habits and mealtime can also be signs of dementia.<\/p>\n

\u201cAs a neurologist who has spent decades studying brain health and memory, one of the most common questions I get from families is this: \u2018My mother has started eating strangely. Does that mean she has Alzheimer\u2019s?\u2019\u201d Dr. Majid Fotuhi, <\/a>a neurologist, adjunct professor at Johns Hopkins University\u2019s Mind\/Brain Institute<\/a>, and author of \u201cThe Invincible Brain,\u201d<\/a> told HuffPost.<\/p>\n

\"\u201cA<\/p>\n

Willowpix via Getty Images<\/p>\n

\u201cA shift toward sweets is by far the most consistently reported change,\u201d said Dr. Adam Mednick.<\/p>\n

Fotuhi explained that the answer is more nuanced than a simple yes-or-no, but there are specific changes that often serve as a tell. Below are five changes in eating habits that can be signs of dementia, according to neurologists.<\/p>\n

Changes To Watch Out For<\/p>\n

Futuhi emphasized that if someone you love develops new and unusual eating habits but their memory, judgment and daily functioning otherwise seem fine, that alone should not make you worry about Alzheimer\u2019s. He explained that the changes could be an indication of something else, such as depression, anxiety, a side effect from medication or dental problems.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is exactly why a distinct and lasting change in eating behavior deserves a proper medical evaluation rather than a guess,\u201d Fotuhi said, adding that any changes in eating habits should be evaluated by a medical professional. With that in mind, below are five changes in eating habits to be on the lookout for.<\/p>\n

1. Mealtime gets simpler<\/p>\n

\u201cOne of the earliest changes families might describe is that their loved one who cooked elaborate meals for decades starts making simpler dishes, then stops cooking altogether,\u201d said Dr. Joel Salinas, <\/a>a clinical associate professor of neurology at New York University Langone Health and chief medical officer at Isaac Health. Salinas pointed out that complex meals require planning and sequencing, skills that dementia affects. Dr. Adam Mednick, <\/a>a neurologist and the author of \u201cNormal Pressure Hydrocephalus: From Diagnosis to Treatment,<\/a>\u201d added that having trouble planning, shopping for and preparing meals can be early signs of dementia.<\/p>\n

Just because someone stops cooking elaborate meals doesn\u2019t mean they have dementia. But when accompanied by the other signs shared here, it\u2019s something to be mindful of.<\/p>\n

2. Losing interest in food<\/p>\n

All three neurologists shared that losing interest in food is a common symptom of dementia, and there are several reasons why it happens. Fotuhi told HuffPost that changes in the brain can lead to loss of smell, which reduces the pleasure of eating, since much of what we experience as taste actually comes from smell. Salinas said this too, explaining, \u201cReduced smell strips much of the pleasure from food. Someone with dementia may describe meals as bland or flat.\u201d<\/p>\n

People with dementia are also at higher risk of experiencing depression<\/a>, which Fotuhi said can blunt interest in activities, including mealtime. On top of that, all three experts point out that mealtime requires using utensils and maintaining conversations at the same time, which can feel stressful to someone with dementia. \u201cA noisy, overstimulating, or unappealing setting makes this worse by making it harder to focus and engage,\u201d Mednick added.<\/p>\n

3. Forgetting to eat or that mealtime happened<\/p>\n

Since dementia impacts memory, all three neurologists say that it can lead to forgetting to eat or forgetting that they\u2019ve already eaten. Part of what makes this even more likely is that dementia impacts the body\u2019s hunger and fullness cues.<\/p>\n

\u201cDementia makes it difficult to interpret the body\u2019s internal signals for hunger and fullness and to connect them to external cues, such as the time of day or the sight of food,\u201d Mednick said. He explained that damage to the brain regions that regulate appetite can blunt the drive to eat, while memory loss can cause someone to forget to eat, forget they just ate, or no longer recognize or communicate that they are hungry. \u201cThe result can go either way, leading to eating too little or, in some cases, overeating,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

4. Rigid food choices<\/p>\n

Even for someone without dementia, answering the whole \u201cwhat\u2019s for dinner?\u201d question can be challenging. As the doctors explained earlier, mealtime requires planning, shopping and preparation. This, they shared, is why it\u2019s common for people with dementia to eat the same meals or foods repeatedly.<\/p>\n

\"Eating<\/p>\n

Sandor Mejias Brito via Getty Images<\/p>\n

Eating the same food every day could be a sign that someone is struggling with making everyday decisions.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen thinking becomes effortful, every decision has a cost, and eating the same meal removes one decision from the day. Familiar foods are also predictable, which can feel safer when so much else feels uncertain,\u201d Salinas said.<\/p>\n

Fotuhi agreed, explaining that the same rigidity often shows up in other areas of life at the same time, such as insisting on the same daily schedule or the same clothing.<\/p>\n

5. Cravings for sweets<\/p>\n

\u201cA shift toward sweets is by far the most consistently reported change,\u201d Mednick said, explaining that this change likely stems from damage to the brain\u2019s reward and impulse-control circuits.<\/p>\n

Fotuhi said that a newly developed sweet tooth is most common in those with frontotemporal dementia (FTD)<\/a>, which is a distinct group of brain disorders that damage the frontal and temporal lobes. \u201cThe frontal lobe normally helps us regulate impulses and food choices. When it is damaged, that regulation weakens, and a strong pull toward sweet and starchy foods often emerges, sometimes dramatically,\u201d he explained.<\/p>\n

Tips For Navigating Mealtime<\/p>\n

If you are a caregiver or loved one to someone with dementia who is experiencing these changes in eating habits, confronting these new hurdles can feel overwhelming. But there are ways you can make mealtime less stressful and more enjoyable for everyone.<\/p>\n

1. Avoid pressuring them to eat<\/p>\n

Instead of pressuring your loved one to eat, Alison Neov, <\/a>a registered dietitian specializing in geriatric nutrition, told HuffPost that it\u2019s more effective to focus on creating a positive mealtime environment. You can do this by keeping meals on a consistent schedule and serving foods you know they like.<\/p>\n

Neov said she finds it helpful to offer smaller meals and avoid overcrowding the plate with food. \u201cA large meal can be overwhelming when your appetite is low,\u201d she said. If using utensils is a struggle, Neov and Salinas both said that serving finger foods, like sliced chicken with a dipping sauce or a sandwich cut into fours, can be helpful.<\/p>\n

If possible, Neov recommends eating meals together. \u201cSometimes a person with dementia may struggle with a familiar task like eating, and seeing someone else pick up a fork and start eating can remind them to do the same,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

2. Only set the table at mealtime<\/p>\n

A set table indicates that it\u2019s time to eat. To avoid confusion, Neov told HuffPost that it\u2019s best to keep the table set only at mealtime, something she said is especially helpful if someone is eating too frequently. Between mealtimes, keep the table cleared to signal that it\u2019s not time to eat.<\/p>\n

When it is time to eat, Neov recommends eliminating other distractions, such as having the TV on.<\/p>\n

\"A<\/p>\n

Milky Way via Getty Images<\/p>\n

A set table indicates that it\u2019s time to eat. To avoid confusion, it\u2019s best to only keep the table set at mealtime.<\/p>\n

3. Pair sweet foods with nutrient-dense ones<\/p>\n

As the neurologists explained earlier, one of the eating changes that often happens with dementia is a craving for sweet, carb-dense foods. \u201cIt\u2019s also OK if your loved one is not eating perfectly. The emphasis at this time is on making sure that they are eating enough calories and maintaining their weight. If they are only willing to eat a few different foods, I would rather see them eating enough than worry about whether every food choice is perfectly nutritious,\u201d Neov said.<\/p>\n

Instead of taking away the foods they seem to be interested in Neov shared that it can be more effective to find ways to enhance them. \u201cFor example, you can make a delicious smoothie with nutrient-dense ingredients that tastes like a milkshake. My favorite combination is yogurt, frozen fruit, banana, nut butter, and a splash of milk or water,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

Neov shared that pairing not-so-healthy foods with healthier options (like fruit, vegetables, and nuts) is another way to add nutritional value to snacks that are nutritionally lacking.<\/p>\n

Navigating changes in eating habits can be challenging, so don\u2019t be afraid to reach out for help, either to your loved one\u2019s healthcare provider or a registered dietitian specializing in geriatrics. \u201cThey can provide you with strategies to help keep mealtimes stress-free and also as nourishing as possible,\u201d Neov said.<\/p>\n

Changes in eating habits don\u2019t mean that someone definitely has dementia, but they do deserve a medical evaluation. Before jumping to conclusions, the first step is making an appointment with a healthcare provider. That way, you\u2019ll truly know how you can offer your support.<\/p>\n

The original version of this story was published on HuffPost at an earlier date.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Once your parents, grandparents or other older adults in your life reach a certain age, it\u2019s natural to…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":838886,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[34],"tags":[42938,1103,97],"class_list":["post-838885","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-health","tag-alzheimer","tag-dementia","tag-health"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/838885","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=838885"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/838885\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/838886"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=838885"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=838885"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=838885"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}