Joseph Oliver, Development Chef at Creed Foodservice, explores why nutrition in care must go beyond meeting dietary requirements, highlighting the importance of creating meals that residents not only need but genuinely want to eat, as appetite and sensory changes impact intake in later life.
Make meals about the people
Residents have individual preferences, dietary needs and lifelong food memories, and those experiences continue to shape their relationship with food. Giving residents greater autonomy over food choices can have a significant impact on both enjoyment and nutritional intake.
Simple changes can make a big difference. Offering buffet-style service, interactive options such as breakfast pancake bars or dessert stations where residents can choose their own toppings, or allowing residents to customise meals by selecting sides and accompaniments can help make mealtimes feel more personal and engaging.
Make every mouthful count
When appetites are smaller, increasing portion sizes is rarely the answer. Instead, the focus should be on making every mouthful count.
Simple measures in the kitchen, such as enriching full-fat milk with dried skimmed milk powder, using vitamin-fortified ingredients in sauces and gravies, or incorporating nutrient-dense ingredients into desserts and drinks, can significantly increase calorie, protein and vitamin intake without changing the meals residents already enjoy.
Hydration should be approached similarly. Many older people do not experience thirst as readily as they once did, making dehydration a common concern. Offering a variety of drinks throughout the year, from smoothies and milkshakes to iced teas during warmer months, can provide an appealing alternative to tea, coffee and water. High-water-content foods such as fruit, soups, yoghurts and jellies can also help support hydration at mealtimes.
Celebrate food and drink
Perhaps most importantly, we shouldn’t underestimate the social role food plays. Mealtimes are often one of the highlights of the day and provide valuable opportunities for connection and enjoyment.
Social dining experiences such as afternoon teas, themed food events and garden parties can help stimulate appetite and encourage residents to eat more. Research has shown that these occasions can increase calorie intake up to 48%.
The dining environment matters too. A calm, welcoming space with good lighting and minimal distractions can help residents focus on their meals. For those dining in their rooms, thoughtful touches such as quality crockery, napkins and condiments can help maintain the sense of occasion.
Ultimately, supporting nutrition in care settings is about far more than meeting dietary requirements. By creating enjoyable, personalised dining experiences that stimulate appetite and encourage choice, care homes can help residents eat and drink better, supporting both wellbeing and quality of life.
To help care homes put these principles into practice, Creed Foodservice recently launched a Nutrition & Hydration Guide, bringing together practical advice, recipes and simple strategies designed to support resident wellbeing through food and drink.
To download a copy of the guide, scan the QR code.
[1] The Journal of Population Ageing, 2024