Last updated on June 15th, 2023
Do your residents enjoy gathering for mealtimes? Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are more than just a time to eat for many older adults in senior living communities, it’s an opportunity to interact with other residents, friends, or family. After three years of quarantining, isolating, and other protective health measures that were implemented due to the pandemic, eating meals with others has an entirely new significance for many older adults.
One way to help your community continue creating memories is through your culinary program. Keep meals interesting and engaging by branching out and adding new flavors and foods to your menu. Here are five new things to try to keep seniors excited about dining in your community.
1. Mediterranean Diet
Known as one of the healthiest ways of eating in the world, the Mediterranean diet is the perfect example of what seniors can eat to keep them healthy. It emphasizes a low consumption of processed foods, which helps to lower inflammation and improve brain health — among other benefits.
However, unlike what’s typically associated with a traditional “diet,” this way of eating is considered tasty and doesn’t focus as much on restriction. Instead, those who follow it are encouraged to eat the following foods, each of which are easy to incorporate into regular meals for residents or readily available snacks.
- At least two servings of fresh fruits or vegetables a day, especially tomatoes and onions
- Olive oil instead of other nut-based oils
- Legumes such as beans, lentils, or chickpeas
- More white meat (like chicken) and seafood instead of red meats
- A healthy portion of nuts and seeds
2. Salt-Free Seasonings
As people age, their bodies become more sensitive to salt, causing various health conditions like high blood pressure, kidney damage, osteoporosis, and more. Removing as much salt from a senior’s diet as possible can help prevent these conditions and reduce the risk of more severe problems like stroke or cancer. But how do you reduce sodium in meals without sacrificing flavor? Using salt-free seasonings is one of the best ways to ensure food is still delicious and nutritious. Some of our favorites are:
- Herbs like oregano, basil, cilantro, sage, tarragon, or bay leaves
- Seasoning blends like Mrs. Dash, Cavender’s Salt-Free Greek Seasoning, or Everything but the Salt
- Granulated or dried seasonings like garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, chili powder, pepper (black or white), Italian seasoning, or turmeric
3. Heat, Heat, Heat
While hot wings or other spicy foods might not be the first thing you’d think about serving in a senior living community, they’re actually a resident favorite! Providing residents with more heated options can satisfy the palettes of those with less sensitive tastebuds or who just crave something hot occasionally. However, you should watch for any side effects of eating spicy foods, such as digestive issues.
Adding heat to a meal can also help mask the taste of some foods. A 2023 study from researchers at Washington State University found that adults aged 60 and over reported they could not notice a lack of salt in low-sodium meals that contained spicy flavor profiles, specifically chipotle seasoning.
If adding spice to your menu is something you’re interested in, be sure to survey residents on their favorite spicy foods. You may be surprised by their answers! Some common favorites are:
- Adding pickled jalapenos to a grilled cheese or a salad
- Putting sriracha sauce on meats or rice dishes
- Using spices like chipotle powder or chili powder to add heat to soups, curries, or other complete dishes
4. Foods From Around the World
Having a culturally diverse menu is essential in senior living communities as the diversity of senior communities continues to change. Not only does this help multicultural residents feel connected to their heritage, but it also helps other residents to expand their cultural horizons or enjoy a meal from somewhere they’ve traveled to. Even if your community serves an area with little diversity, providing these options is still important because it can offer an opportunity for socialization and learning about different cultures. Many traditional foods worldwide have also been associated with health benefits, such as the Mediterranean diet mentioned above.
5. Farm to Table
It’s no secret that fresh foods are great for a diet at any age. However, seniors can significantly benefit from eating farm-to-table meals. Farm-to-table is the concept of sourcing foods from local farmers or businesses instead of big box stores or food delivery companies. Not only does this help boost your local economy, but it also gives residents the opportunity to eat healthier and feel good about doing it.
Getting fresh foods for your community is not always easy, especially during the winter. But, partnering with local farmers, butchers, and bakers will help residents feel more connected to the surrounding community. Be sure to tell residents where food items are sourced from on menus and when discussing specialty items.
How can I start incorporating new flavors into my menu?
Now that you have some ideas about what new flavors and foods to include in your menu, it’s time to think about how you can make that happen for your senior living community. That’s what Culinary Services Group is here for! At CSG, we’re proud to offer meal programs that are anything but basic. We’re always researching new ways to create flavorful meals that are still healthy for older adults. In fact, this year, we’re bringing more fresh and flavorful options to partners through new culinary initiatives.
Are you ready to start incorporating new flavors into your community’s dining menu? Contact us today to schedule a consultation with a member of our team.
