October 15, 2021
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“You are what you eat.” It’s a saying we’ve all likely heard since childhood, but the fact is that it’s true. The nutrients, or lack thereof, that you put into your body affect how well it functions, perhaps even more so as we age, which is also a time when nutrition also becomes more complicated. You may need more of certain nutrients and less of others, health conditions and/or medications may require dietary restrictions, and your palate, as well as digestion, may change. It’s a lot to contend with, we get it! That’s why eating better is one of the four facets of wellness in our signature Whole Life Living™ program that helps residents to live happy, healthier lives. Because we believe wellness begins with wholesome, delicious food. Here’s how we put it into action in our communities.
It’s Easy to Eat Better at GenCare Lifestyle
One of the main benefits of life in a retirement community is the dining experience. Not only is it much more convenient to have to option to enjoy meals in a lovely restaurant-style setting with friends instead of cooking three meals a day – every. single. day. But our talented chefs also prepare wholesome and healthy meals from scratch with nutritious ingredients tailored to suit your unique needs, including gluten-free, vegetarian, vegan, and diabetic options.
We take pride in serving cuisine that isn’t stuffed with hollow calories, preservatives, or carbohydrates but is still delicious and satisfying. In addition, GenCare is the only senior living company in the nation to be Certified Gluten-Free by the Gluten Intolerance Group of America.
Senior Nutrition is a Key Ingredient in Our Menus
Our menus have ample variety featuring seasonal dishes and local favorites, and they are also designed to support gluten-free and diabetic diets as well as overall digestive health. Plus, we provide extensive nutrition info and color-coded descriptors on our menus to help make following specific diets easy.
All our gluten-free offerings are in blue. This indicates that items have been prepared according to safe handling protocols. As the only senior living company in the nation with full gluten-free (GF) certification, we take these procedures very seriously. Additionally, some of the menu items that are not designated GF on the menu can be prepared as such when requested.
Our diabetic guidance is in red print. Residents who wish to manage their carbohydrate intake can come to the dining room and simply request the “diabetic portion” when they order the special. Our staff knows how to portion the meal appropriately and are happy to do so.
Dining Details to Support Health and Wellness
We know that eating better isn’t just about the food itself. There are other considerations as well that we incorporate into the dining experience in our retirement communities. For example, health experts report that eating heavier meals earlier during the day and lighter meals at dinner contributes to a better quality of sleep, decreased acid reflux, and a leveling of blood sugars. So our menus are designed with this in mind.
While our menus are created by the chefs in each community and are based on GenCare recipes, they are also reviewed by a nutritionist who assigns the calories and carbohydrates of an average portion. This helps to guide the chefs in creating nutritionally balanced, healthy, and delicious meals.
Residents can find copies of this menu at the Front Desk in each community. Of course, we’re always happy to answer any questions you might have about senior nutrition in our communities as well.
For more information, contact a GenCare LifestyleTM community near you, or schedule a tour today!
