When do nutritional supplements make sense?

I saw those nutritional shakes at the pharmacy and I'm wondering if I should give them to my father, who's eating very poorly and losing weight. I don't know if they really help or if I'm just wasting money. When do they make sense?

Looking for a solution at the pharmacy when we see someone eating poorly and losing weight is a gesture of care, not despair. Nutritional supplements can help, but it's important to understand when and how.

Why it happens

When normal food no longer meets needs, due to loss of appetite, difficulty chewing, or weight loss, high-calorie and high-protein supplements provide a lot of energy in a small volume. They are a complement, not a substitute for meals.

Practical strategies

• First, speak to your GP, who can assess and, in some cases, prescribe.
• Offer the supplement between meals, so as not to spoil the appetite for main meals.
• Experiment with different flavours and textures until you find what is appealing.
• Serve well chilled, in a nice glass, as if it were a milkshake.
• Before resorting to products, try to enrich homemade food.

What NOT to do

• Do not replace entire meals with supplements without professional guidance.
• Do not force if there is refusal or choking.
• Do not blindly choose expensive products without advice.

When to seek professional help

Ask for an assessment from your GP or a nutritionist whenever there is weight loss, food refusal, or conditions like diabetes or kidney failure. If in doubt, call NHS 111 (808 24 24 24).

"The doctor prescribed him some shakes between meals. They didn't replace food, but they helped him stop losing weight." — Anonymous carer