Palatability and intake of two commercial liquid diets in patients with poor appetite.

Either of two nutritionally complete liquid diets was offered prospectively for 10 consecutive days to 32 elderly patients to compare intake volume and palatability. All patients were hospitalized in a medical department and had poor appetite. The diets, which were each available in two flavours, contained either intact or partially hydrolysed proteins. They were given as sip-feeds in addition to normal food. Both products received high palatability ratings. Mean (+/- SD) volumes of intake per day were 369 (+/- 127) ml for the protein hydrolysate diet and 416 (+/- 119) ml for the intact protein diet (NS), representing approximately half of the intended intakes. There was no indication that taste fatigue developed for either of the products.