How a Menu Makeover Transformed Resident Health

Back in September 2024, our care home kitchen underwent a quiet revolution. After reviewing the latest Care Home Digest Guidelines, we made the bold decision to update our entire menu. The goal? To create meals that were richer in nutrients and lower in sugar, especially with our residents’ long-term health in mind.

But let’s be honest: it wasn’t a popular move at first.

Suddenly, familiar favourites tasted a little less sweet. Comfort dishes were reimagined with healthier twists. And understandably, many of our residents were unsure about these changes. Change is never easy, especially when it affects something as personal and comforting as food. But we stuck with it.

Our chefs got creative, our care teams stayed supportive, and slowly, mealtime became enjoyable again not just for the flavour, but for the purpose behind it. 

During recent health reviews, we saw a noticeable shift: our residents’ HbA1c levels—a key measure of blood sugar control, had dramatically improved. This simple blood test, which shows average blood sugar over 2–3 months, is especially important for managing diabetes and pre-diabetes. And the numbers told a powerful story.

• Residents who had been pre-diabetic for years were now in the clear.

• Most of our diabetic residents had hit their health targets, something many had struggled with in the past.

The impact was real. Tangible. Life-changing.

This wasn’t just about food, it was about giving people more control over their health, reducing risks of complications, and helping them feel better day to day. We had proven that thoughtful changes, even small ones, could make a big difference.

So here’s to our teams who embraced the new recipes, our teams who supported residents through the transition, and the entire team who believed in the mission.