Believe it or not, one of the most commonly asked questions about senior living communities is, “How’s the food?” So, it may not surprise you to learn about a new trend in senior dining: Foodies!
A foodie can be defined as a person who has an avid interest in new food fads. You may think this only applies to younger people, but that is not the case! Older Americans are jumping on the foodie wagon, and Loretto has adjusted our menus to meet the growing needs of our residents.
Smoothies, vegan menus, and other healthy food trends are not only popular among millennials anymore. Healthy eating is becoming a hot topic for older adults, too. Nationally, facilities like The Nottingham are adapting menus and providing a wider variety of options as baby boomers demonstrate a desire for a healthier and more sophisticated palette.
However, many older adults note that they don’t have the vigorous appetite that they once had, replacing three large meals a day with smaller portions and more frequent snacks. They don’t enjoy the same foods as when they were younger and may even face restricted diets due to health concerns. This can present a challenge for older adults, especially when maintaining a healthy diet is so vital as we age.
That is why we are constantly upgrading our menu, making sure we provide healthy and nutritious alternatives while having some fun with our new food fads, too.
Recently, the executive chef at The Nottingham, Jim Mahler, unveiled a new menu item with a twist. He hosted a smoothie-making demonstration with our residents and let them be the judge for the newest flavor. “Introducing the smoothie bar provides residents access to nutrient-dense foods that contribute to improved energy — especially those with a sweet tooth who prefer to nibble on candy or other sweets — to enjoy as a healthy alternative to sugary snacks,” said Mahler.
He presented three different flavors, ranging from the fruity to the green:
- Strawberry-banana smoothie
- Carrot-pineapple smoothie
- Apple-spinach-avocado-with-yogurt smoothie
Residents sampled all three and voted on their newest menu item. And the winner is… carrot-pineapple smoothie! We’d like to share our simple and nutritious recipe with you:
So, are you ready to be a “senior foodie”? Go to thenottingham.org today to experience luxury living and dining at The Nottingham.