I prepare three meals a day, seven days a week for my dementia father (who has swallowing issues and his food has to be pureed) and my mother (who has mobility issues). I try my best to make appealing and nutritious meals for them and also make meals for my husband. It is really getting to be too much because my mother complains about what I serve her, except breakfast. She pokes around the meal and when she asks what it is I know she doesn't like it. I told her that it would help me tremendously if she would tell me what she would like, but she can never tell me so I make what I think she would like. I have caregivers seven days a week, but they don't cook meals, they only serve them and hand feed my father. Promptly at 9 a.m., 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. the caregivers come to ask me if the food is ready so they can give it to my parents. Cooking meals has become a major source of irritation to me because now I feel like I am tied down. Sometimes I get frozen meals but my mother complains that she does not like the meat. She does not like pasta or rice so I don't make it. I find it hard to hear criticism for everything I do, especially when I put in so much effort to make it. My husband likes everything I make but my mother is a hard one to please and it makes me feel like I don't want to do this. I find her attitude rude and unappreciative.
Cut off her complaints, change the subject, talk about the weather...
Has your Mom been checked for acid reflux? That can do a major number on one throat with a hot burning feeling, usually caused by tomato and citrus type foods. Even chocolate, and colas. I have that issue. Another food issue could be dairy products which can do a major tap dance on one's stomach. Both my Dad and I had to use Lactaid products which were very good sub for regular milk and ice cream :)
How are your Mom's teeth? That was one issue my Mom had, which made her menu some what limited.