As hospitals and care homes continue to face staff shortages and skill challenges in kitchens, healthcare dining specialist Simply Food Solutions has highlighted the importance of resident and patient gratification in an event showcasing its textured modified range.
The current rate of prevalence of dysphagia affects between 50 to 75 per cent of nursing home residents and 10 per cent of acutely hospitalised older people , who ultimately require a texture-modified diet according to the IDDSI guidelines. However, achieving the perfect balance between safety and palatability in every meal can be time-consuming, wasteful and costly.
Simply Food Solutions’ recent event Rediscovering the Love of Food focused on its Simply Puree range of over 120 IDDSI-compliant products at levels 3, 4, 5 and 6. It also highlighted their convenience for chefs and caterers, who only need to heat and serve the ready-made meals in an oven or microwave, making them ideal for busy kitchens and out-of-hours service.
Showcasing its lunch, dinner, dessert, and snacking dishes, the event included tasting sessions, as well as talks from one of the UK’s leading food wholesalers, Bidfood, which stocks Simply Food Solutions products.
Simply Food Solutions also has vegetarian, Kosher, and allergen-free dishes within its Simply Puree range, ensuring they meet the dietary needs of as many people as possible with dysphagia, whilst giving total reassurance that their food is safe to eat.
Yaqoob Ishaq, managing director at Simply Food Solutions said: “It’s our mission at Simply Food Solutions to keep the patients and residents who are eating our food happy, by providing the highest taste satisfaction possible. This also extends to healthcare chefs and caterers, as we aim to provide them with a quick and easy meal solution that’s safe to eat without the hassle of strenuous kitchen prep.
“All of our food is crafted with care, but our Simply Puree range in particular demonstrates the impact food can have on the recovery, wellbeing and outlook of someone suffering from dysphagia.
“Over the past 20 years we’ve seen a shift in people’s palates, seeking cuisines from around the world, as well as those from different cultural backgrounds longing for a taste of home. That’s why it’s so important for us to not only create dishes that adhere to various dietary needs and requirements, but dishes that also put a smile on their face, making them fall in love with food all over again.
“I’m delighted that this event has highlighted the need for satisfaction in every meal and it’s been a pleasure working with Bidfood since 2019.”