The culinary teams at Amica meet the exacting nutritional standards of dietitians and the discerning palates of our residents and chefs. But what if you’re a senior with dietary restrictions due to health, religious, or ethical reasons? Perhaps there are foods you avoid due to personal preference.
We're here to help. Personalized service is our specialty, designed to accommodate the wishes, health needs, and taste buds of our residents. Keep reading to learn how chefs at Amica accommodate common specialty diets for seniors, including:
- heart-healthy, low-fat, or low-sodium diet
- diabetic diet
- vegetarian diet
- food allergies or food intolerances (dairy-free or gluten-free for people with celiac disease)
- texture-modified diet
Healthy eating for seniors
Amica residents and chefs have at least one thing in common: a passion for excellent cuisine. Amica residents dine on excellent food made fresh daily by in-house Red Seal-certified chefs who’ve cooked in top restaurants, hotels, and resorts.
We also ensure we meet seniors’ nutritional needs. In fact, before any dish graduates to our seasonal menu, it has to meet the high nutritional standards of several registered dietitians and a taste test by Chef Gary McBlain, national director of culinary services for Amica, who's collaborated with Top Chef Canada’s Mark McEwan on a menu for Amica residences. “We know when we make nutritious food that’s also flavourful, people are going to enjoy eating the meals and be healthier for it,” says Chef McBlain.
Each dish is analyzed to ensure our weekly menu meets nutritional guidelines for seniors requirements, including calories, minerals, vitamins, and macronutrients such as protein, carbohydrates, healthy fats, et cetera. Recipes are also analyzed by a third-party network of registered dietitians to ensure the menu follows Canada’s Food Guide for healthy eating, including whole grains, fruits and vegetables as well as a limit of foods high in sodium, sugar, and saturated fat. Some residences also provide individual nutrition counselling.
Heart-healthy foods
Healthy food is at the heart of our menu at Amica. If you like healthy eating, you’ll appreciate every lunch and dinner menu offers various healthy choices specially marked with a heart icon. These nutritionally balanced dishes are good for seniors with cardiovascular disease or those who wish to eat the best foods for heart health.
Amica’s healthy choice menu items include daily salads, dishes made with a rainbow of fresh vegetables, lean protein, fish that’s rich in heart-friendly omega-3 fatty acids, fibre-rich whole grains, dishes low in sodium and fat, and even healthy desserts. “Instead of deep-frying, the kitchen will sauté unprocessed chicken in a small amount of olive oil to bring a lot of flavour without adding sodium or unhealthy fat,” says McBlain. Instead of fat or salt, chefs use fresh herbs, citrus juice, or spice rubs to add flavour.
Diabetic diet
McBlain says most seniors who are diabetic know how to manage their blood glucose. The culinary team helps by serving fruits on the lower end of the glycemic index or reducing portions to control carbohydrates. If a resident on a Type 2-diabetes diet feels like eating ice cream, we support them by offering half a scoop. Type 1-diabetic residents can request carbohydrate content for each dish to help them manage insulin doses.
Vegetarian diet
Some seniors choose the benefits of a healthy vegetarian diet and our chefs are on board. Our culinary teams prepare nourishing, healthy, and delicious vegetarian fare ranging from soups, stews, and salads to sandwiches, and power bowls. Dishes are packed with fresh, seasonal vegetables while additional protein comes from legumes, such as lentils, beans or chickpeas; eggs; or whole grains, and grain blends made with quinoa, barley or couscous.
Food allergies or intolerances, including lactose-free or gluten-free diets
- Allergies: We take special care with seniors’ food allergies. Besides communicating food allergies to all kitchen and serving staff, and ensuring every seniors’ food is safe, we take care in the dining room. For example, one residence features a designated peanut-free table to support the health and comfort of a resident with a peanut allergy.
- Gluten-free foods: We’re happy to accommodate residents on a gluten-free diet. Our kitchen ensures we have gluten-free bread, cookies, muffins, and pastas for seniors with celiac disease or a gluten intolerance. We can thicken soups and sauces with potato starch or cornstarch instead of a flour-based roux. Plus, seniors who are eating gluten free will also have a choice of dishes that do not contain wheat, such as a Cobb salad or grilled steak with potatoes if one of the daily specials is beef pot pie.
- Lactose-free: Seniors who avoid dairy due to an allergy, intolerance or preference are offered soups made with broth instead of milk or cream as well as lactose-free milk or milk beverages.
Texture modified diet
When seniors have difficulty swallowing due to illness, treatment, health conditions, or cognitive changes, we support them with texture-modified diets using nutrient dense foods to make sure they get the most nutrition possible from every bite. Following dietary guidelines from a doctor or registered dietitian, our culinary staff can thicken liquids to make them easier to swallow.
When residents need minced food or a puréed diet, our trained chefs have the flexibility and skill to texture-modify a suitable item from our menu to create a dish that’s healthy and appetizing. (Whereas some long-term care facilities must modify the day’s menu item no matter what. With limited choices to begin with, that could mean seniors on texture-modified diets are served something unappealing, such as a puréed turkey sandwich and salad.)
Find out how residents are enjoying great amenities, activities, flexible dining, and personalized service at Amica residences. Schedule a private tour today.