If you own a nursing home, or if you are a manager in a nursing home, part of what you must not fail to do is to make sure the residents in your facility are well cared for, including feeding them with the right diet and nutrients, hence you will need some fortified food recipes for your nursing home.
Fortified food recipes involve enriching meals with essential nutrients like vitamins and minerals. In nursing homes, these recipes are vital to address the unique nutritional needs of residents, particularly those with deficiencies or compromised health.
Fortified foods ensure that elderly individuals receive adequate nourishment, supporting immune function, bone health, and overall well-being.
The fact that aging populations are likely to face challenges in nutrient absorption means that you should incorporate fortified foods in your nursing home menus as a way of preventing deficiencies and promoting optimal physical and cognitive health. Having said that, here are some of the best-fortified food recipes you can incorporate into your nursing home diet.
Best Fortified Food Recipes for Nursing Home
-
Fortified Smoothies
Fortified smoothies are a blend of fruits, vegetables, yogurt, and the addition of protein powder, vitamins, or supplements. Smoothies are a quick and easy way to get a nutritious meal or snack in a matter of minutes.
Interestingly, fortified smoothies are packed with nutrients, they boost energy and brain function, support weight management, and promote digestive health.
-
Protein-Packed Oatmeal
Protein-packed oatmeal is a meal that is fortified with nuts, seeds, and protein powder for a nutrient-rich breakfast. Protein-packed oatmeal provides approximately 20-25 g of protein per 100 g which is more protein than that provided by regular oats which contain 11-14 grams of protein.
Giving patients in a nursing home high-protein oatmeal for breakfast will give them a boost of nutrition and energy to fuel their day.
-
Enriched Soups
There are different options when it comes to offering enriched soups to patients in your nursing home. You can decide to serve them protein and fiber-rich tomato soup, protein and fiber-rich chicken soup, or protein and fiber-rich mushroom soup.
You may as well decide to add vegetables, legumes, and whole grains for added vitamins and minerals. Enriched soups may provide additional health benefits, including lower body weight and increased fiber and water intake.
Some soups, high in fibre such as vegetable soup and legumes, help keep your digestive system healthy and prevent bloating.
-
Calcium-Rich Casseroles
You can make calcium-rich casseroles by combining dairy or fortified plant-based milk, cheese, and leafy greens for a well-rounded meal. Calcium can help build bone density, which lowers the risk of osteoporosis, fractures, or injury.
Recipes like Spanakopita Stuffed Peppers and Chicken & Broccoli Casserole are flavorful, healthy, and have at least 20% of the recommended daily value of calcium for old people.
-
Omega-3 Fatty Acid Salmon Patties
To prepare Omega-3 fatty acid salmon patties, you can use canned salmon, eggs, and breadcrumbs, and then add essential omega-3 fatty acids to the mix.
Interestingly, the omega-3 fatty acids found in salmon, eggs, and flax have been credited with several health benefits, including reducing the risk of cancer, reducing inflammation, lowering blood pressure, and improving the health of your arteries.
-
Vitamin-D Boosted Mushroom Risotto
You can prepare Vitamin-D Boosted Mushroom Risotto by fortifying it with mushrooms, plant-based milk, and vitamin D supplements.
Vitamin-D-boosted mushroom risotto has some health benefits that are suitable for patients in nursing homes. It can help decrease the risk of cancer, lower sodium intake, promote lower cholesterol, protect brain health, provide a source of vitamin D, stimulate a healthier gut, and support a healthy immune system.
-
Fiber-Fortified Mashed Potatoes
When preparing fiber-fortified mashed potatoes, you can incorporate skin-on potatoes for added fiber and vitamins. You can also use white potatoes because white potato is a concentrated source of carbohydrates, dietary fiber, and resistant starch and continue to be the staple food of choice for many cultures. The white potato is also a concentrated source of vitamin C and potassium.
-
Iron-Enriched Stir-Fry
To make your Iron-Enriched Stir-Fry more nutritious, you can include lean meats, tofu, and iron-rich vegetables. Iron is a mineral that the body needs for growth and development.
Our body uses iron to make hemoglobin, a protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen from the lungs to all parts of the body, and myoglobin, a protein that provides oxygen to muscles.
-
Antioxidant-Rich Fruit Salad
To prepare an antioxidant-rich fruit salad, you can include red apples, green kiwi fruits, yellow bananas, blueberries, oranges, and mango.
Antioxidant-rich fruit salads are packed with essential vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that can help boost your immune system, improve digestion, and promote overall health.
-
Vitamin C-Infused Spinach Salad
The Vitamin C-infused spinach Salad is rich in many nutrients, including vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin K, iron, folate, and potassium. Spinach also adds some protein to your diet. Every 100 grams of spinach contains nearly 2.9 grams of protein.
Of course, lettuce, spinach, and other salad greens are an important part of a healthful diet because they can be year-round sources of vitamin A, vitamin C, and other nutrients.
-
B12-Fortified Lentil Soup
This soup is an idea for patients in nursing homes who are vegans. For those that follow a plant-based diet, vegetables like spinach, beetroot, butternut squash, mushroom, and potato contain good amounts of vitamin B12 that they need.
Note that certain products, including vegan beverages, soy-based foods, and nutritional yeast tend to be fortified with vitamin B12.
-
Whole Grain Pancakes
To prepare Whole Grain Pancakes, substitute traditional white flour with whole grain flour in your pancake batter. Incorporate ingredients like eggs, milk, and a touch of baking powder for leavening.
Whole grain pancakes offer health benefits such as increased fiber content, promoting digestive health, and providing essential nutrients like B vitamins and antioxidants.
They contribute to sustained energy release, and improved heart health, and may aid in weight management, making them a nutritious choice for nursing home residents.
-
Fortified Hummus
Hummus is a smooth and creamy puree of cooked chickpeas (garbanzo beans), tahini, and an acid, typically lemon juice. While hummus usually has garlic now, centuries ago it did not.
Olive oil isn’t a requirement either, but most modern recipes list it as an ingredient. Hummus is a versatile ingredient and a good source of fiber, along with vitamins and minerals like manganese, copper, folate, and iron.
Thanks to its impressive nutrient profile, it may help ease inflammation, promote heart health, and support blood sugar management.
-
Vitamin-Rich Quinoa Salad
You can mix quinoa with colorful vegetables for a nutrient-dense side dish. Though technically a seed, Quinoa is classified as a whole grain and is a good source of plant protein and fiber.
One cup cooked provides about 8 grams of protein and 5 grams of fiber. Studies show that the fiber in quinoa can also help with cholesterol and blood sugar levels, lowering your risk of diabetes and heart disease.
Quinoa is rich in antioxidants, which can prevent damage to your heart and other organs. A diet high in antioxidants has been linked with a decreased risk of heart disease.
-
Calcium and Vitamin D-Fortified Yogurt Parfait
To prepare a Calcium and Vitamin D-fortified yogurt Parfait, layer yogurt with fruits, nuts, and granola. Choose a yogurt fortified with calcium and vitamin D. This parfait offers health benefits such as improved bone health due to the calcium and vitamin D content.
Interestingly, the combination of protein, fiber, and antioxidants from fruits and nuts contributes to overall well-being, making it a delicious and nutritious choice for nursing home residents.