TY - JOUR

T1 - Vegetable finger foods - Preferences among older adults with motoric eating difficulties

AU - Forsberg, Sarah

AU - Olsson, Viktoria

AU - Bredie, Wender L.P.

AU - Wendin, Karin

N1 - Publisher Copyright: © 2022 The Authors

PY - 2022

Y1 - 2022

N2 - Older adults, who have developed motoric eating difficulties as in Parkinson's disease have difficulty consuming foods with common tableware. They may be offered alternative servings developed for eating by their fingers. The present study investigated which kind of vegetables and cooking techniques suited this consumer group in order to accomplish a high level of acceptance. Vegetable preferences in Swedish adults older than 65 years (n = 97) were initially measured by a survey tool followed by digital focus groups. The findings were used to develop vegetable finger foods for older adults with motoric eating difficulties. The vegetable preferences among those with motoric eating difficulties did not differ in comparison to a more general older adult population. Among the vegetables, broccoli, carrot, tomato, cauliflower and red bell pepper were highly appreciated. However, for those with major eating difficulties, the choice of vegetables was restricted to fewer textures, which were more easily processed in the mouth. Vegetables served as snacks, traditionally on the plate, or deep-fried were considered most appropriate as finger foods. Finally, attractive meals for older adults unable to eat with common cutlery should also be accompanied with other nutritive finger foods servings.

AB - Older adults, who have developed motoric eating difficulties as in Parkinson's disease have difficulty consuming foods with common tableware. They may be offered alternative servings developed for eating by their fingers. The present study investigated which kind of vegetables and cooking techniques suited this consumer group in order to accomplish a high level of acceptance. Vegetable preferences in Swedish adults older than 65 years (n = 97) were initially measured by a survey tool followed by digital focus groups. The findings were used to develop vegetable finger foods for older adults with motoric eating difficulties. The vegetable preferences among those with motoric eating difficulties did not differ in comparison to a more general older adult population. Among the vegetables, broccoli, carrot, tomato, cauliflower and red bell pepper were highly appreciated. However, for those with major eating difficulties, the choice of vegetables was restricted to fewer textures, which were more easily processed in the mouth. Vegetables served as snacks, traditionally on the plate, or deep-fried were considered most appropriate as finger foods. Finally, attractive meals for older adults unable to eat with common cutlery should also be accompanied with other nutritive finger foods servings.

KW - Finger foods

KW - Motoric eating difficulties

KW - Older adults

KW - Parkinson's disease

KW - Product development

KW - Vegetable preferences

U2 - 10.1016/j.ijgfs.2022.100528

DO - 10.1016/j.ijgfs.2022.100528

M3 - Journal article

AN - SCOPUS:85129255752

VL - 28

JO - International Journal of Gastronomy and Food Science

JF - International Journal of Gastronomy and Food Science

SN - 1878-450X

M1 - 100528

ER -