How to help grandfather lose weight?

When/if I reach 80 years old, I'm not dieting or counting calories.

I love that you're concerned.
I can speak to this from a bit of experience. My Grandma is currently 89 and had a heart attack a few years ago. Her GP at the time told her to lose 20 lbs immediately, along with some other advice. We tried for a while to change her eating habits but soon determined she was miserable. After a heartfelt conversation, the family has decided to make a few healthy changes but not to go hog-wild. Grandma has lived a good, long life and she doesn't want to spend her last remaining days counting calories and depriving herself of the foods she loves. While I want to see her around for a long time, I totally understand and respect her choice.
Have you spoken with your granddad? Maybe you can reach a midpoint?

mattb2987 wrote: »

Thanks for the quick replies! The main goal at the moment is to stop him putting on any more weight, I know he's not going to lose huge amounts but we want to make sure he can remain independent for as long as possible.
The gentle walks is a great idea thanks. Does anybody have any foods they eat in place of potatoes/chips? If I could cook him something and show him a healthy alternative he might like and could cook himself I think that would be a great help.

My father is around that age. After my mom died he wasn't much interested cooking for himself because he was eating alone. He remarried and that probably helped a bit except they eat out a lot.
Do you or other famy live nearby so you could invite him to eat with you?
There are lots of easy foods but if he really wants potatoes maybe baked or roasted instead of fried would be a direction to take.
Weight loss and maintenance is about calories not type of food.

Its pretty hard to get someone else to change habits if you are not in control of what and how much they are eating. You can suggest that he try cauliflower, sweet potatoes or any other veg to take the place of potatoes or chips, but he may not know how to prepare something new and might have to be shown or have some made for him to show him some other options. Its probably too because they are cheap and quick. Thanks for bringing my grandfather to my mind! I miss him.

mattb2987 wrote: »

Exactly, I know his independence is of great importance. At the moment he's okay but struggles to for example put his socks on in the morning, we just don't want it to get any worse.

Thanks for the suggestions! I'll definitely try cauliflower maybe as a mash. I think I'm going to try preparing some healthy meals myself and when perfected try cooking it for him. Has anyone tried roasted turnips as an alternative for potatoes? And what would be the best type of bread to eat if you were watching your weight?

(I'm not very experienced in trying to lose weight!)

Does your grandfather want to lose weight or just maintain?
Losing or maintaining weight is about calories. You need to figure out his current calorie needs based on activity level, age, gender, height, current weight. If he wants to lose weight at a rate of 1 lb a week then that would be 500 calories less than his maintenace level, .5 lb a week would be 250 calories below maintenance for him.
The big thing is him eating appropriate portion sizes of foods. Weighing and measuring food helps with that.
A potato of the same weight as a turnip is only 46 calories more and is full of nutrition too. Your grandfather can eat potatoes every day if he wants. Most vegetables are pretty low calorie until you put cheese, oil, butter or other sauces on them.
Eggs are cheap, fast to cook and nutritious. A big pot of soup could be frozen in individual portions and reheated easily.
The bread that fits your grandfather's calorie goal is fine. Wholegrain bread will have the most fiber. Calories vary so check the labels.

Packerjohn wrote: »

12by311 wrote: »

When/if I reach 80 years old, I'm not dieting or counting calories.

If rr keeps yout from having someone else having to wipe your butt you might. Lack of mobility to do everyday tasks is the prime reason people are in assisted living. Losing weight will generally help with mobility.

I agree with both of these quotes. Quality of life is important. Both excessive concern about diet and excessive weight can significantly impact quality of life.

No one wants to nitpick their diet for their last few years. No one wants to reply in others to wipe their bottom either.

I'd suggest having a compassionate talk and listen to what your grandfather wants, and what the probable outcomes of him changing habits and losing weight vs not doing so are.

Chips could possibly be replaced with air-popped popcorn. More volume and fiber for potentially fewer calories. Still lots of crunch. And you can get some flavors going on - cinnamon sugar, parmesan, herbs, a drizzle of buffalo sauce.