Senior nutrition programs often struggle to find the right balance between providing healthy meals packed with nutrients and flavorful foods that older adults enjoy. Although many people report a diminished sense of smell or taste as they age, there are ways to make nutrient-dense meals both healthy and delicious.
Here are some ways to uplevel your senior nutrition menus and enhance meal satisfaction for the older adults you serve.
Creating healthful dishes packed with flavor and nutrients
There’s an old expression that says we eat with our eyes. A pleasing mix of colorful vegetables with a nicely sauced or glazed entrée create instant meal appeal—and when well-seasoned, become welcome additions to any senior meal program.
Our executive chef at TRIO Community Meals suggests the following ways to boost flavor, nutritional value, and meal satisfaction:
- Use aromatic herbs such as rosemary, thyme, sage, basil and tarragon.
- Garlic and onion enhance flavor in many dishes (and can make up for lack of salt in a recipe).
- Fresh or dried spices such as dry mustard, paprika, horseradish, chili powder, ginger and curry powder are easy-to-incorporate flavor enhancers.
- Acids like citrus juices and vinegars aren’t only for salad dressings. They add some zing to many dishes and work well for people who are on low-sodium diets.
- Use sodium-free broth instead of water to add flavor to rice dishes.
- Powdered nutritional yeast has a mildly cheesy taste and can be sprinkled on any dish in place of salt.
- To retain nutritional value of foods, opt for steamed, broiled, roasted or baked dishes; avoid fried foods.
- Steaming preserves vitamins (especially in vegetables).
- Roasting and baking bring out the food’s natural flavor without using excessive oils.
- Try substituting sugar with honey, monk fruit, stevia or date syrup.
- Stevia is low in calories and monk fruit is calorie-free; neither will affect blood sugar levels.
- Dates are rich in fiber, vitamins, and minerals (and make a great snack), and honey contains antioxidants and antimicrobial properties.
- Coconut sugar, agave nectar and maple syrup are plant-based sugar substitutes that are also low in calories and won’t spike blood sugar levels. The compounds in maple syrup help slow down blood sugar absorption.
- Add nutrient-dense superfoods for seniors such as blueberries, avocados, leafy greens, chia seeds, quinoa and turmeric.
Benae Jackson, Home and Community Base Services Manager at Mississippi Department of Human Services notes that,
“TRIO Community Meals has truly transformed our meal program. The innovative and flavorful menus, combined with the opportunity for our older adults to offer meal suggestions, have not only met their nutritional needs but have also brought joy and excitement to their daily lives. Our 48-year partnership with TRIO highlights their dedication to providing exceptional service and accommodations that truly make a difference in our community.”
Add global flavors and cultural variety to your menus
We live in a diverse country with people from a broad variety of cultural and ethnic heritages. Senior nutrition programs that reflect that variety in their menus honor cultural preferences and help older adults feel comfortable (and comforted) by offering foods they are familiar with. Culturally diverse menus give others a chance to sample new flavors and dishes with an international flair, further enhancing satisfaction.
Create an inviting ambiance in congregate settings
Anyone who dines in a restaurant knows that ambiance contributes largely to meal enjoyment. The same goes for congregate meals in senior or other community centers, senior living residences, or houses of worship that host senior meal programs. Some ways to enhance the setting include aromatherapy in the dining/common area, calming background music, and cheerful table settings.
Elevate your menus with TRIO Community Meals
At TRIO Community Meals, we believe there’s never a need to sacrifice flavor and meal innovation when it comes to designing nutrient-dense meals for older adults.
When your senior nutrition or meal delivery program partners with TRIO, you’ll elevate your offerings from bland and boring to interesting, delicious, and nutritious. All our health-forward menus are developed by registered dietitians to deliver well-balanced nutrition for older adults, and are crafted by our chef for a more satisfying, flavorful food experience.
Contact us to see what’s possible when you partner with TRIO Community Meals.
