The Benefits of Good Nutrition

Food is medicine

The benefits of good nutrition in healthcare have been well documented. Good healthcare and nutrition are a good partnership in caring for patients. Having a good standard of nutritional care in healthcare facilities goes a long way.

Eating well in the hospital will reduce your risk of malnutrition and the problems which can happen because of this. Eating better will help you, fight infection and heal wounds and broken bones easier. These are just some of the benefits of good nutrition.

In the face of the global epidemic of diet-related chronic disease, there is increased experimentation with the use of “food is medicine” interventions to prevent, manage, and treat illnesses like obesity, and diabetes.

Catering in the care sector is challenging work at the best of times. Not only do chefs have to cater for each individual’s tastes while ensuring they receive a nutritionally balanced diet, but they are also required to offer a variety of meals throughout the day, 7 days a week as well as delivering a variety of snacks. Healthy nutrition for seniors within these care homes is vital.

More than just food

Nutrition and hydration are a huge priority on health and social care agendas. However, eating and drinking mean so much more than just providing nutrients – mealtimes are also very much about the social aspects and, for many people in hospitals and care homes, they are the highlight of their day. When nutritional needs are met it increases both mental and physical well-being.

They say food and health go hand-in-hand, so it makes sense that the food offerings in the healthcare industry would receive especially tough scrutiny from consumers. It’s not enough to simply have nutritious dishes – consumers increasingly expect healthy foods to taste good, too. As chefs throughout the industry continue to innovate in health-related areas such as plant-based eating and functional foods those trends are making their way into healthcare institutions as well, leading to a wave of fresh, on-trend offerings at hospitals, senior living and long-term care facilities.

Are you looking for your next healthcare role within a catering setting? Contact our team to find your perfect role.