Top 10 Food Products In Care Homes

Food in care homes is often the highlight of the residents’ days. From familiar favourites like corned beef hash to treats like homemade cakes, food plays an important role in care homes, and feeding residents the right meals can have a huge impact on their health and wellbeing. These are the top 10 care home food products from Trevors Foodservice.

1: Milk – Staple Ingredient In Care Home Meals

Milk is a key ingredient in care home kitchens and is used daily in tea, coffee, cereal, porridge, and cooking. It is an excellent source of calcium and protein, both of which are essential for the elderly to maintain strong bones and reduce the risk of fractures and osteoporosis.

In care home meals, milk is commonly used in dishes such as scrambled eggs, mashed potatoes, soups, custards, and creamy sauces. For residents who may dislike drinking milk on its own, incorporating it into savoury and sweet dishes is a great way to boost calcium intake.

Trevors Foodservice also offers a variety of non-dairy milks, which are fortified with added calcium which are perfect for residents with dietary restrictions who aren’t able to eat dairy.

2: Butter – Adding Flavour To Food In Care Homes

Butter is important in cooking a variety of dishes. It adds richness and flavour, which can make care home meals more appealing to residents with small appetites. For example, adding a small amount of butter to vegetables can drastically improve the taste and help residents to eat more healthy foods.

Butter can also be used for baking, which is a great activity for residents to encourage socialising, build confidence and improve fine motor skills. Baking gives residents more than just a dessert, it enhances their quality of life and provides a sense of achievement and enjoyment. 

3: Yoghurts – High Protein Care Home Food

Yoghurts are a popular choice in care homes since they are nutritious, easy to eat, and can be enjoyed at any time of day. They can be served with fruit for breakfast, eaten as an afternoon snack, or enjoyed as a healthy dessert.

They are rich in both calcium and protein, which are essential for the elderly to maintain healthy bones and muscle strength as they age. Yoghurts are also a source of probiotics, which support healthy digestion and are beneficial to the immune system.

4: Sugar – Providing Sweetness For Care Home Residents

Food in care homes needs to be more than just healthy. Sweet food in moderation provides a great level of enjoyment for elderly residents and supports their routine by giving them something enjoyable to look forward to. We often also associate sweet food with positive memories, which can be beneficial to the well-being of care home residents.

Buying ingredients such as sugar and letting the residents bake for themselves, rather than buying pre-made desserts, can be a fun activity with a rewarding treat at the end that provides a sense of accomplishment and pride. These positive emotions are important among older people who may begin to lose confidence in their abilities as they age.

5: Gammon – A Nostalgic, Familiar Favourite Among The Elderly

Many elderly people grew up eating gammon, and it can bring back memories of their younger years. Nostalgia is good for your brain as you age, as it stimulates memory and emotion – it can also spark conversations between care home residents, which can help to create a sense of community.

Gammon is a high-protein food that is a flexible addition to a variety of meals. Our sliced gammon can be served cold in sandwiches, diced into a casserole or served hot with potatoes and vegetables. It also has a strong, meaty taste but a soft texture, which can be great for residents who struggle to chew tough cuts of meat. 

6: Baked Beans – Adding Protein & Fibre To Care Home Meals

Baked beans are a cheap, quick and easy food to prepare, which can be served at all times of the day. They are great for adding to meals as they contain protein, fibre, iron and B vitamins which provide a range of health benefits, including aiding healthy digestion, maintaining energy levels and supporting muscle strength.

Many elderly people struggle with chewing, so soft, nutrient-dense foods such as beans are a great way to make sure all residents are able to have an enjoyable meal, which gives them the vitamins and minerals that they need. 

7: Corned Beef – Traditional Food In Care Homes

Corned beef is an ever-popular favourite in care homes thanks to its soft texture, familiarity and versatility. Whether it’s used in corned beef hash or sandwiches, it is a nostalgic and comforting favourite that residents love as it reminds them of their younger years.

Protein intake is an important factor to consider when planning care home meals – and corned beef is a protein-rich option that always goes down well. Its soft texture makes it appropriate for residents who struggle with chewing, and its rich flavour can be helpful in feeding residents with smaller appetites. 

8: Double Cream – Adding Flavour To Care Home Food

Double cream is a versatile ingredient that can be used to add richness and flavour to a variety of sweet and savoury care home meals from desserts to soups and sauces. Cream can be a great way to make food more enjoyable, which is important for residents’ quality of life. 

Cream is also an effective way to fortify food for those who need extra calories, as they may be losing weight or struggle to eat larger portions. It is a great way to pack a large amount of calories into a small amount of food, and it can help meals to go down more easily thanks to the added richness and creamy texture.

9: Custard – A Familiar Care Home Favourite

Custard is a favourite among care homes for its smooth texture, comforting taste and versatility. It’s great served hot or cold with a variety of cakes, puddings and crumbles, or fresh fruit for a healthier option.

It’s also suitable for a variety of care home residents who may struggle with chewing or swallowing due to dysphagia. If prepared correctly, custard can fit within IDDSI level 3 or level 4 guidelines.

Thanks to its comforting and familiar taste and texture, custard is a great way to enhance desserts in care homes, ensuring residents are enjoying mealtimes

10: Frozen Broccoli – A Consistent and Nutritious Superfood

Broccoli is high in fibre as well as various minerals and vitamins, making it a very healthy addition to a variety of care home meals. Thanks to its nutritional value, broccoli can support digestion, the immune system, bone health and several other aspects of health and wellbeing that are especially important among the elderly.

It is also a versatile ingredient that can be prepared in many ways. Simply steaming or boiling broccoli can be great for residents who prefer simple, plain foods – and it can be roasted, stir-fried or added to stews to increase flavour, nutrition and colour in meals.

Frozen broccoli is also more convenient than fresh, as it reduces waste and ensures consistent quality, which can be beneficial to residents who rely on routine.

What Makes Good Care Home Food?

Looking at our top 10 care home food products, we can see that comforting and nostalgic foods such as corned beef and gammon are popular in care homes as they remind residents of their younger years. Nutritious foods, high in protein, calcium and fibre, like beans, yoghurts and broccoli, are also commonly served as elderly people need to ensure they are getting everything they need to help fight illness, prevent deficiencies and maintain health. Finally, flavoursome foods including butter, custard and cream are a popular choice to ensure meals remain appealing, enjoyable and satisfying, as well as providing simple pleasures and moments of joy in the lives of residents.