My nana (95) won't stop eating expired food. Anything I can do?

gothiccave, your grandmother grew up as a teenager during the Great Depression and because of that she learned not to waste anything. So in her own mind the food is still good enough to eat.

As others had mentioned, don't say anything to her, just toss the expired food out. But be sure to replace it with updated products.

My mother was bad to do that. If I tried to throw things out, she would say, "No, no. It's still good." So now I just toss it into the outside trash. She never even notices what is gone. I figure that if she really wanted something, then she would eat it, instead of letting it go bad.

When I first came to live with my parents, some of the food had dates that were 20 years old. There was a sweet potato pie from 1990. I was about to toss it out and she protested. I asked her if she was going to eat it. She said no. I said I wasn't, either, and in the trash it went. Some things are important for us to be the boss. Some old people hoard food, which can be very unhealthy. If you know it's bad, then trash it.

I'm confused. Your profile states that she's living with you in your house, so it would be an easy matter to just throw out the food when it becomes old. Why is old, expired food still around?

I clean out my mom's fridge and pantry weekly. She's 96 and has lost all ability to determine whether food is still edible or not. Their ability to smell bad smells is usually gone by that age.

Better safe than sorry. I take it all home with me and put it down my disposal (she doesn't have one) or give it to my squirrels if it's just dried out bread or other things that are still technically OK, but not good enough for my mom to eat. So do something similar. Just sneak it out if you have to.

I agree with pamzimmrrt. Either pitch out the food while you're there and don't tell your grandma you're doing it or throw it down the garbage disposal. Then take the trash bag out with you when you leave.

Sometimes we come across battles that aren't worth fighting. This is one that's worth fighting. Your grandma's going to make herself sick(er).

don;t tell her, just throw it out and replace it! Take the trash with you when you leave if you have to!