To celebrate Malnutrition Awareness Week, Vegetarian for Life (VfL) has shared its tips on providing nutrient-rich food and drink options for older vegans and vegetarians.
VfL Chief Executive, Amanda Woodvine, said: “It is important for all of us – including vegans or vegetarians – to follow a balanced diet. It can be simple to do this with just a few basic items in your kitchen and pantry."
Appetite can lessen with age, and some people find they are not able to eat as much as they used to. To stop unplanned weight loss, it can be helpful to increase the protein and energy content of meals (known as food fortification).
Many of the food items commonly used to fortify foods and drinks may be suitable for vegetarians – outlined below. We have suggested ways to enrich vegan meals, too.
For more advice, please see VfL's guides Nutrition for older vegetarians and vegans and Food fortification for vegans.
Sources of plant-based nutrition:
- Include plenty of fruit, vegetables and starchy food (ideally higher fibre).
- Beans, lentils, chickpeas, tofu, soya alternatives to milk and yoghurt and nuts are good sources of protein.
- Calcium-fortified milk- and yoghurt-alternatives, and bread and calcium-set tofu, are good sources of calcium.
- Walnuts, ground linseed, chia seeds and hemp seeds are rich in omega-3 fat.
Some nourishing options:
- Soya alternatives to meat, yoghurt, milk and custard.
- Cooked breakfasts: baked beans, vegan sausages.
- Sandwich/wrap fillings: butterbean and herb spread, peanut butter and jam, falafel, vegan sausages, hummus.
- Desserts: fortified vegan jelly, rice pudding or fruit pie/crumble/cake with soya cream/custard/dessert/ice cream.
- Snacks: vegan muffins/cakes/flapjacks, milk-free sandwich biscuits, cereal, toast/oatcakes with peanut butter and jam, soya dessert/yoghurt.
- Drinks: vegan hot chocolate, smoothies and fortified soups.
Food fortification for vegans:
Appetite might decrease as we age, potentially leading to malnutrition or weight loss. It can be helpful to increase the protein and energy content of food. Foods items commonly used to enrich food are generally suitable for vegetarians. Below are some suggested ways to fortify food for vegans:
- Smooth peanut butter or other nut butters can be added to savoury dishes, puddings or milkshakes.
- Soya cream, dairy-free spread or plant milks can be added to mashed potato or soups.
- Silken tofu can be added to savoury or sweet dishes.
- Vegan cheese or vegan mayonnaise alternatives are easily available.
- Soya protein powder and pea protein powders can be used as an alternative to whey protein powders.
Good sources of protein for vegans and vegetarians on soft or puréed food diets:
- Pulses (peas, all types of beans, tofu, lentils).
- Nuts, seeds and their butters.
- Eggs and dairy products (for vegetarians, not vegans).
- Meat alternatives and grains (if eaten).
- These foods can be ground, puréed, mashed or grated and used to bulk up other foods. For example, pulses can be added to soups, curries and stews, and then blended.
- Silken tofu, ground nuts or nut butter can be added to soups or smoothies.
- Nut and seed butters (e.g., peanut, tahini, cashew) add creaminess to soups and stews.
- Peanut butter works well in chilli and, of course, satay sauce.
Top tips:
- Presentation is key: think about how the food will look on the plate. A mix of colour will be more appealing and will help the body know it’s hungry. Using the ‘Rainbow Plate’ idea not only adds colour but also increases essential nutrients.
- Think small. A little and often approach is helpful for those with a small appetite.
- Choose white pasta, white rice, white bread instead of wholegrains because they’re less filling.
- Not all vegans and vegetarians will enjoy meat alternatives. To find out a resident’s food preferences just ask!
- A vegan or vegetarian recipe can be enjoyed by meat eaters too!
- Drinks not only hydrate but can provide much needed calories too. Serve vegan hot chocolate made with plant milk at supper time, or smoothies and milkshakes at snack times.
- Have water readily available throughout the day. Adding sugar-free squash may help people drink more.
- Ensure your menu is appealing to your residents and caters to their likes and dislikes where possible. You could even ask them to share their favourite recipe and make it for them or get them in the kitchen to help.
- Smoothies or milkshakes can be frozen into ice lollies on warmer days to help add interest to the diet and help hydrate.
- Sweet treats are often appealing and a good way to add calories for those with small appetites. Serve cakes and biscuits at snack times or popular puddings such as apple crumble or sticky toffee puddings served with (vegan) custard or ice cream.
