When an older loved one starts cooking far simpler meals, forgets to eat, or craves sweets at every turn, families often dismiss it as a normal part of aging. But neurologist Majid Fotuhi, a leading expert in memory disorders, says these changes can be among the earliest—and most overlooked—warning signs of brain degeneration.
In a recent report covered by HuffPost, Dr. Fotuhi explained that no single food habit guarantees a dementia diagnosis, but a cluster of unusual eating behaviours should prompt medical evaluation. Because dementia has no cure, early detection remains one of the most powerful tools for slowing progression and preserving quality of life.
5 Dietary Red Flags Families Should Watch
Families should take note if an elderly relative shows any of the following shifts in eating or cooking behaviour:
- Meals become remarkably simple: A once-enthusiastic cook may suddenly serve plain, minimal dishes or stop cooking altogether. Planning menus, shopping for ingredients, and preparing meals require high-level brain organisation and coordination. As cognitive function declines, these tasks become exhausting and overwhelming.
- Loss of interest in food: Dementia often damages the sense of smell, and since much of what we call “taste” actually comes from smell, food can become bland and unappealing. Depression, which commonly accompanies cognitive disorders, can also drain motivation to eat. For people with dementia, mealtimes may feel overstimulating, especially with noise and conversation, making them withdraw from food.
- Forgetting to eat or missing meals: Memory loss can make a person forget whether they have eaten, or even that they need to eat. Dementia also disrupts the brain’s hunger and satiety signals, so a person may no longer understand internal cues or connect them with external reminders such as a clock or food on the table. This can lead to undereating or, in some cases, overeating.
- Rigidly choosing the same food: When decision-making becomes mentally exhausting, repeating familiar choices reduces cognitive load. A limited, repetitive diet offers comfort and predictability in a world that feels increasingly confusing. This need for sameness often appears in clothing choices and daily routines as well.
- Intense craving for sweets: A sudden, uncontrollable preference for sugary or starchy foods can be a hallmark sign of frontotemporal dementia (FTD). This condition damages the frontal lobe, which normally helps regulate impulses and food selection. With that control weakened, cravings can become intense and hard to resist.
Why Early Recognition Matters
Dr. Fotuhi notes that families frequently ask whether a parent’s strange eating habits mean Alzheimer’s disease. The answer, he says, is not always straightforward. However, when multiple eating changes appear alongside other symptoms, they deserve serious attention.
According to Hong Kong’s Hospital Authority, dementia is caused by progressive damage to brain cells, affecting memory, thinking, language, judgment, and even emotions and behaviour.
The Three Stages of Dementia
- Early stage (years 1–2): Symptoms are often mistaken for normal ageing. These include short-term memory loss, difficulty expressing abstract ideas, mood swings, trouble learning new things, and reduced judgment, though basic self-care remains possible with reminders.
- Middle stage (years 2–5): Early difficulties become more obvious. The person may confuse past and present, struggle to find words, experience personality changes, and need help with daily activities.
- Late stage (after year 5): Full dependence on caregivers. Memory loss becomes severe, communication breaks down, physical function declines, and round-the-clock care is often required.
What Families Can Do Next
If an elderly relative shows any of these eating changes, do not wait. Keep a simple log of when the behaviour started and how often it occurs. Then consult a family doctor, geriatrician, or neurologist for a cognitive assessment. Memory clinics and community organisations can also provide guidance on care planning and support.
Catching the warning signs early does more than buy time—it gives families the chance to plan, adapt, and ensure their loved one receives compassionate, informed care.