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What do aged care residents and patients with dysphagia need?

Our founders have worked in aged care collectively for over 50 years, accumulating specialised knowledge and experience on what aged care residents and patients with dysphagia need.

But don’t just take our word for it—here’s what some leading voices in the food industry have to say. Food enthusiast Das Sreedharan describes the deeper significance of food:

“Food is the fundamental light that ignites our soul. It embodies emotions, love, and nurturing. Food is what connects and reunites people across generations; it is a source of ultimate happiness.”

These insights reflect our own passion and commitment to creating meals that inspire and connect. We believe food should be more than just sustenance—it should be a source of joy and togetherness.

Maggie Beer, from the Maggie Beer Foundation, emphasises the crucial role of flavour in the wellbeing of elderly people in aged care homes:

“Every meal, every bite of food should not only be nourishing, but also full of flavour. Without a balance of flavour, goodness, and pleasure, there’s just not enough to motivate residents to get up in the morning. It’s vital that we provide meals that bring these three elements together.”

This insight highlights the importance of creating meals that are both nutritious and enjoyable, ensuring that residents in aged care homes have something to look forward to with each meal.

A statement from the Royal Commission into Aged Care highlighted the critical role that high-quality food plays in the wellbeing of aged care residents. Lindy Twyford, a nursing home worker who recognises the value of good food for residents, explained:

“I see the impact that quality meals have on our residents. They truly appreciate the small things. What might seem minor to us can be incredibly significant for them. Proper nutrition is crucial for both physical and emotional wellbeing. Without it, residents are at greater risk for complications like wounds or bedsores. For them, the dining room isn’t just a place to eat; it’s a social space where they can feel a sense of importance and independence.”

This underscores the importance of providing nourishing, enjoyable meals in aged care settings, where food is more than just sustenance—it’s a vital part of residents’ daily lives and overall health.

NUTRITIONAL REQUIREMENTS & MEAL PREPARATION

How can I find out about ingredients and allergens in your products and meals?

Our ingredients and allergens are listed in our Shop. If you have any questions please contact us.

How does your texture modified food address residents’ nutritional needs?

Our texture modified food is designed with residents’ unique needs in mind, focusing on portion control and nutritional density. Here’s how we address these critical aspects:

Flexible portion control:

  • Our products come in a range of serving sizes—small, medium, and large—to accommodate residents’ varying appetites. Research shows that residents in aged care often have smaller appetites and can be overwhelmed by large portions. By offering customisable serving sizes, we can meet individual needs without causing distress or excess waste.

Nutritionally dense recipes:

  • We formulate our products to be nutritionally dense, avoiding the dilution of nutrition often seen in texture modified foods. This ensures that residents receive the energy and protein they need in every bite, making the most out of smaller portions.

Less wastage, more consumption:

  • We understand that less food left on the plate means more nutrition consumed. By focusing on appropriate portion sizes and creating meals that are both appetising and nutritious, we aim to reduce food waste and encourage greater consumption.

We know that providing nutritionally adequate meals involves more than just calories and protein. That’s why we prioritise flavour and presentation, ensuring that every mouthful is not only nutritious but also enjoyable. By doing so, we support residents’ overall health and wellbeing.

(Sossen et al. 2020; Sossen, L (Thesis) 2021)

How do your products and meals address nutrition concerns for texture modified meals?

Texture modified meals often have a reputation for being nutritionally lacking, but our products are designed to counteract that. Here’s how we ensure our offerings are nutritionally robust:

Developed in collaboration with dietitians:

  • Our in-house dietitian works with our team to maximise the nutritional value of each product. This collaborative approach ensures that our meals meet high standards for balanced nutrition.

Made with wholesome kitchen ingredients:

  • We avoid using commercial supplement powders, opting for familiar, wholefood ingredients. This means our products are not only nutritious but also align with conventional kitchen practices, giving them a more natural taste and feel.

Quality-controlled for nutrition and safety:

  • All our products undergo rigorous testing to ensure they meet nutrition, taste, and align with IDDSI (International Dysphagia Diet Standardisation Initiative) standards. This process guarantees that our meals are safe, enjoyable, and nutritionally sound.

We take pride in our thorough recipe development and testing process. Our meals provide 8-37% more protein compared to traditional scooped pureed meals. This increased protein content can lead to a significant nutritional advantage. For example, a menu incorporating our products for two meals and one snack can provide an average of 7.9 MJ and 94 grams of protein daily.*

We are committed to offering texture-modified meals that are not only safe and easy to eat, but also nutritionally robust, providing residents with a balanced diet that supports their health and wellbeing.

(Monash University Dietetics Student Research 2012, 2013)

How does ordering product and meals direct from you help my organisation?

Ordering directly from us offers several advantages for your aged care or hospital organisation:

Flexible ordering options:

  • With our direct ordering system, you can choose between weekly or fortnightly deliveries, allowing you to tailor your orders to your needs. This flexibility helps reduce the need for large inventory storage.

Cost savings:

  • By ordering from us directly, you eliminate distributor markups, reducing overall costs. This not only cuts expenses but also frees up budget for more diverse meal options and improved food quality for your diners.

Greater menu variety:

  • The cost savings from direct ordering allow you to offer more plate options and increased variety on your menu, contributing to a more enjoyable dining experience for your residents and patients.

Direct ordering with us is an efficient and cost-effective way to ensure you always have a fresh supply of our high-quality products, providing you with the flexibility and variety that your diners deserve.

How do Chefs in aged care or hospital settings prepare your products and meals?

Whether you order our products in bulk or opt for Pre-Plated Meals (PPMs), we’ve streamlined the preparation process to be simple and efficient. Here’s how chefs in healthcare organisation kitchens can prepare and serve our meals in just a few steps.

To prepare our packaged products:

  1. Plate and defrost – place the required portions on serving plates and allow them to defrost.
  2. Reheat and add sauces – reheat the plates in your commercial oven according to our instructions. If you’re using sauces, heat them separately and serve on the side.
  3. Serve and enjoy – once reheated, the meals are ready to serve to your residents or patients.

Download our comprehensive heating instructions for commercial kitchens to ensure your meals are prepared safely and consistently.

With this straightforward process, your chefs can focus on providing high-quality meals without unnecessary complications.

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