Leading care home meal provider apetito launches its Food First Guide for care homes, a comprehensive resource combining expert dietary advice with actionable recommendations to help providers foster a food-first approach to care planning.

With care home residents recognised as being at greater risk of malnutrition, it’s essential that care teams feel equipped to spot the early signs.1 Too often, nutrition is only the focus when a resident has already lost weight or is identified as being at risk of malnutrition. A food-first approach challenges this by encouraging teams to consider the wider role that food, drink and dining experiences play in supporting residents’ wellbeing, placing greater importance on nutrition earlier in the care planning process and from a more holistic perspective.

Food First: Putting Nutrition at the Heart of Care explores the connection between food, drink and resident outcomes, highlighting the importance of prioritising mealtimes within resident care. From involving residents in menu choices and offering flexible dining times to regularly reviewing food intake and providing safe, appealing options for those with specialist dietary needs, the guide demonstrates how a food-first mindset can become a whole-home culture.

The guide comprises evidence-backed food and nutrition guidance alongside practical advice from Rachel Sipaul, Senior Dietitian at apetito. It explores the nutritional foundations behind the food-first approach, provides guidance on building a food-first plate and the importance of making mealtimes matter, from the dining experience itself to what’s served.

Rachel Sipaul says:

“This guide provides practical advice to help all colleagues recognise and respond to the risk of malnutrition, ensuring residents receive the support they need to eat and drink well.

“By highlighting the important link between food, mealtimes and wellbeing, this guide promotes a whole-home approach in which everyone works together to place nutrition at the heart of care.”

James Leigh, General Manager for Care Homes at apetito, adds:

“At apetito, we believe great food makes a real difference. This guide emphasises the importance of food beyond meeting basic care needs, recognising the role it plays in the enjoyment, quality, and health outcomes of residents’ everyday lives.”

To read the full guide and download your copy for free, click here.