Assisted living food menus must include a range of balanced meals, to provide residents with the necessary dietary nutrition. But, while proper nutrition is crucial for care facility residents, flavor and visual appeal are just as important.

Comfort foods are always a favorite at assisted living centers as well as nursing homes Well-loved, classic dishes evoke feelings of nostalgia and well-being among residents. Unfortunately, many classic comfort foods are less-than-ideal from a nutritional standpoint

To keep residents healthy and happy at mealtime, you can make a few adaptations to help these foods fit into your facility’s menu program.

Making Comfort Foods Healthier for Assisted Living Menus

Many classic dishes are high in fat, calories, sodium and sugar which, some people might argue, is why they’re so tasty and beloved.

Fortunately, dietitians have tricks to lighten up classic recipes without sacrificing flavor. Using low-fat milk instead of heavy cream, swapping good fats for bad fats and using egg whites in place of whole eggs are all simple and effective ways to make comfort foods healthier.

Assisted living food menus can also feature classic foods that are prepared in a healthier way.

Oven “frying” gets food crispy with much less fat and calories, for example. And for cheesy dishes, choosing bold-tasting hard cheeses (like extra-sharp cheddar or Parmigiano Reggiano) is a healthier food prep strategy as you can use less and still create a bold flavor impact.

Considering the Total Meal

Although many comfort foods can be transformed into healthier dishes with a few tweaks, dietitians can go in increasing the health quotient of comfort foods. Make too many changes and these well-loved favorites no longer taste the same – which your residents will be quick to point out.

In that case, use these classic dishes as a component of the meal, rather than the entire meal.

Comfort foods can be served in smaller portions alongside healthier options for delicious, filling meals. For example, pair a small serving of lasagna with a leafy green salad and whole grain garlic bread.

When eaten in moderation, these less-healthy dishes can become part of a balanced food menu program.

Should Classic Foods Be Modernized?

Dietitians generally advocate healthy food tweaks, like serving mashed cauliflower instead of mashed potatoes or adding different seasonings to lower the salt content in classic dishes.

However, while some assisted living facility residents appreciate interesting ingredient changes to their favorite foods, many more do not.

Residential care facilities may wish to proceed with caution before putting a modern spin on a beloved comfort food recipe. Try small test runs of new dishes before making them a part of the regular food menu program. Depending on the tastes of your residents, modernizing classic foods may or may not be a wise plan.

For an easier way to find healthy and flavorful classic dishes for your food menu program, consider the Grove Menus meal planning software system. The system is a simple-to-use, cost-effective program designed to meet the dietary needs of residential care center residents. For more information and a complimentary demonstration of our assisted living food menu program, contact Grove Menus today.