Last updated on June 15th, 2023
Good nutrition is essential to life, no matter what age you are. As we age, however, it becomes more important. Eating well should remain a priority whether you or your loved one is a part of a senior living facility or is living in an independent residence.
In a 2018 study from Ohio State University and other health organizations, researchers found that almost 40% of surveyed seniors did not meet nutrition requirements during meals. Older participants were at a higher risk of malnutrition, with 46.2% not getting the daily allowance of nutrients.
Additionally, with 1 in 5 seniors facing hunger and 6.8% experiencing food insecurity at some point during older adulthood, senior living communities uniquely provide older adults with the nutritious meals they need. Getting adequate nutrition can improve their physical and mental health and overall quality of life.
Nutritional Guidelines for Seniors
When you’re planning a meal for other people, following basic nutritional guidelines is always a good idea. However, older adults have unique needs to help them stay healthy as they age. Here are some tips to keep in mind for your dining program:
- Because seniors are more prone to having a chronic illness diagnosis, they need to consume foods that are low in sodium and sugar but high in protein. Per a report from the Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, adults over the age of 71 are at risk for low muscle mass – protein and other vitamins can help prevent this.
- Supplement meals with foods rich in essential nutrients like calcium, potassium, and vitamins B12 and D.
- Have plenty of juice, water, and other liquids available for regular consumption to prevent dehydration.
- Provide three solid meals daily, encouraging residents not to skip any meals. Without a regular caloric intake, an older adult is more at risk for malnutrition or other health problems.
- Add locally sourced vegetables, fruits, and other products to your menu for every meal so your residents always know where their food is coming from. Even better, start a community garden for residents to grow their produce!
- Explore meat substitutes, or alternative proteins, for seniors who may stray from red meat for health reasons.
- Use evidence-based research to help guide your menu choices. Specific diets are perfect for seniors, specifically the Mediterranean diet. It’s high in antioxidants and low in sugar, saturated fats, and red meat — all things that can increase a senior’s risk of developing poor health. It reduces the risk of developing cognitive impairment, type II diabetes, metabolic syndrome, and cardiovascular disease.
Healthier Commercial Cooking Methods
How a meal is prepared is equally as important as what’s in it. Because of the large volume of food that senior living community kitchen staff have to prepare, it’s easy to assume that using healthy cooking methods isn’t possible. However, this isn’t necessarily true. With a dining service like Culinary Services Group, we intentionally incorporate meals that can be prepared in ways that benefit the health of residents. Techniques like blanching, steaming, and roasting are perfect for cutting out additional oils, animal fats, and other potentially unhealthy prepping ingredients. These cooking methods may have different benefits, too, like enhancing nutrients — making the food even better for your residents!
Healthy meals don’t have to sacrifice flavor, either. A delicious meal is possible by using herbs and spices to flavor ingredients. Avoid seasoning mixes that include salt, instead focusing on additives like garlic, lemon zest, onion, and more. Also, an easy way to add more herbs to your cuisine is to grow them yourself. Residents’ involvement in the cooking process can increase their satisfaction with their experience in your facility and their overall sense of autonomy.
Butter, margarine, grease, or cooking oils like vegetable oil can also make a meal unhealthy. Instead, try incorporating more olive oil or canola oil into meal preparation. Olive oil has a long history of being associated with better health outcomes. A recently published study found that older adults using more virgin olive oil had a lower risk of frailty. Because many seniors in assisted living or nursing home communities deal with physical impairments, featuring more olive oil dishes could act as a preventative health measure for residents.
Thinking outside of the box to create healthier commercial cooking methods involves more than just meal planning for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Sometimes, having ready-to-eat healthy snacks is just as important in creating a more nutritious environment as a well-balanced meal. With easy access to snacks, residents can indulge when they want to without fear of overeating things like junk food.
How can we help your residents eat healthier?
For many seniors, one of the most enticing parts about living in a residential community is that they no longer have to prepare their meals. So, the care with which senior living staff select menu options and other nutrition-related activities matters.
Providing residents with a well-rounded, nutritious, and tasty meal is the core of what we do at Culinary Services Group. Just because a food is healthy doesn’t mean it shouldn’t be delicious. Our catered meals are planned with your residents’ tastebuds and well-being in mind, making mealtime enjoyable again. In addition to meals, we provide your community with a dietitian to assist your staff with planning mealtimes and nutrition-focused activities. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help enhance your community’s dining services!
