Bega Foodservice offers solutions to the challenges of aged care catering
/The introduction of Aged Care Quality Standard 6 has put more pressure on kitchens and chefs are turning to quality products from trusted suppliers which can boost the nutritional component of meals without added labour and prep time.
The introduction of the strengthened Aged Care Quality Standard 6 around food and nutrition requires care chefs to produce nutritious, appetising meals, including texture modified food for those residents who require it, as well as ensuring residents have choice about what, where and how they eat and drink, and dining experiences which encourage social engagement. [1]
This has put more pressure on the kitchen, especially given the staffing and skills shortages across the sector. One way chefs are rising to the challenge is by turning to quality products from trusted suppliers which can boost the nutritional component of meals without added labour and prep time.
Supporting older people to access nutritious snacks
As one of Australia’s leading providers of quality dairy products, Bega Foodservice has a range of solutions which are ideal for the aged care market.
“Stocking chilled, nutritious dairy based snacks in a common fridge area means residents can serve themselves”
“One of the key topics in Standard 6 is around supporting older people to access nutritious snacks and drinks throughout the day, not just at regular mealtimes,” points out Jennifer Arguelles, Accredited Practising Dietitian and Senior Nutritionist at Bega Foodservice.
Stocking chilled, nutritious dairy based snacks in a common fridge area means residents can serve themselves when hungry, reducing the pressure on kitchen staff by ensuring sufficient options are on hand.
“You can stock a yogurt with health beneficial probiotic BB-12, which supports gut health by improving regularity”
Pre-packed products like Dairy Farmers Thick & Creamy Yoghurt and Yoplait support calcium and protein intake and are available in a wide range of flavours and textures to allow for choice and variety. You can even stock a yogurt with health beneficial probiotic BB-12, which supports gut health by improving regularity. [2] Examples include the Farmers Union Greek Style Yoghurt range, which come in 130g pouches with twist-top lids and provide 1 billion probiotics per serve, and Farmers Union Gut Good Yogurt, which also includes prebiotic GOS that helps increase the number of good bugs in the gut.
In the warmer months, flavoured yogurt can be frozen in icy pole moulds for a nutritious and cooling treat.
Reduce the likelihood of resident flavour fatigue
High protein milk-based drinks like Dairy Farmers Protein Smoothies, which feature 30g of protein per serve, are also great options to offer as grab and go snacks, and come in a variety of flavours to help reduce the likelihood of resident flavour fatigue. These can be complemented with fruit juice drinks like Daily Juice Co Orange Juice to support vitamin intake.
“Dairy products are a source of protein and calcium, important for muscle maintenance and bone health respectively”
You can also ensure improved nutritional outcomes for aged care residents by fortifying meals with ingredients which provide the nutrients we need more of as our bodies age.
“Dairy products are a source of protein and calcium, important for muscle maintenance and bone health respectively,” Jennifer says. “And milk and yoghurt contain many other essential nutrients, including iodine which can assist with brain health, phosphorous which is beneficial for bone maintenance, vitamins B2, B5 and B12 which help with energy delivery, and potassium which is important for hydration and contributes to muscle function.”
Dairy Farmers Instant Whole Milk Powder can be used to enrich full cream milk, creating a ‘double strength’ milk for use on breakfast cereals, in hot beverages like tea and coffee, and even as an ingredient to add extra nutrition to mashed potato and sauces.
You can also use products like Dairy Farmers Buttermilk and cheeses like Dairy Farmers Parmesan or Dairy Farmers Cheddar to further enrich potato mash and sauces, providing a protein boost. Cheese can also be sprinkled over casseroles, pastas or bread for added flavour and protein, while a dollop of sour cream or natural yoghurt in soups or curries will give a tasty finishing touch.
Dairy Farmers Cooking Cream, Dairy Farmers Thickened Cream and Dairy Farmers Express Professional Cream Cheese are also effective options in boosting calorie intake, enhancing flavour and providing an enjoyable dining experience for residents.
“Ensuring food is appetising as well as nutritious is a key principle of Standard 6”
Dairy packs a flavour punch
“Ensuring food is appetising as well as nutritious is a key principle of Standard 6,” Jennifer says. “Dairy products are terrific choices in this regard because in addition to delivering nutritional benefits they also pack a flavour punch. Not only do they fortify the nutritional content of the food you serve, they also make meals tastier and more enjoyable.”
And for texture modified meals which look and taste appealing, Dairy Farmers Single Serve Custards, which have been developed specifically with the high energy and high protein requirements of aged care residents in mind while also conforming to IDDSI Level 6, save you the time and trouble of from-scratch preparation and can be served at mealtimes or in between as snacks.
All these products make it easy to fortify your existing recipes with minimal labour and preparation. And as readymade products which you buy in, they come with standardised nutrient values per serve, which makes record keeping and meal assessments easier.
DOWNLOAD NOW
The Spring edition of Bega Foodservice Flavour Passport focuses on Healthy Ageing, providing a selection of recipes which have been developed to suit residential care catering along with regular foodservice operations. All are cost-effective to produce, easy to prepare with low wastage and adaptable to high volume requirements. Download your copy today.
For more information on the Bega Foodservice range visit www.begafoodservice.com.au
