Healthy eating and nutrition at Birchwood House
At Birchwood House, we understand that healthy eating plays a vital, protective role in a number of age-related conditions including cardiovascular disease and cognitive decline and can help to protect oral and dental health, and bone and joint health in later life. We also know that it’s not unusual for elderly people to experience a change in metabolism and appetite, which can lead to malnutrition – causing either weight gain or loss. This may give rise to a number of complications – from a weakened immune system and lower energy levels to chronic health problems such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke and osteoporosis.
It has been estimated that malnutrition can result in:
- 65% more GP visits
- 82% more hospital admissions
- 30% longer hospital stay
We aim to provide our residents with the essential sources of nutrition for them to feel as healthy and fit as possible.
A good diet should include elements of the following:
- ‘Good’ fats; a source of essential fatty acids and include oily fish, cheese, avocado, vegetable oils and peanut butter
- Carbohydrate: a useful source of energy and fibre helps to prevent constipation; wholegrain breakfast cereals, brown rice and pasta, wholemeal bread, fruits and vegetables, potatoes and pulses such as lentils
- Protein: important for building and repairing body tissues, especially as we get older. These can be found in dairy products like milk, cheese and yoghurt, meat and poultry, eggs and pulses. These also provide calcium, important for preventing osteoporosis.
Birchwood House’s head chef, Anne, prepares fresh home-cooked meals daily which are not only delicious, but offer residents a diet that is varied and nutritious, but also designed to suit individual preferences and requirements – diabetic, vegetarian and so on. Four smaller meals are offered across the day – as well as mid-morning and mid-afternoon snacks – to keep blood sugar and energy levels up, and since the kitchen is open 24/7, residents never need feel hungry.
‘Our fruit and vegetables are supplied by a local grocer and we cook with seasonal ingredients when we can’, explains Ann. ‘We also serve a different home-baked cake every afternoon – and if it’s your birthday I will bake your favourite cake!’
These are just some of the little touches that make Birchwood House so special.
Other articles you may like
- Give us a smile! Four Reasons to smile every day
National Smile Month is upon us and here at Birchwood House, we’re all about sharing a friendly smile. Back in December of 2020, we launched Birchwood Smiles. It was a difficult time for us all, with the pandemic a major concern for many vulnerable people. With all staff in PPE, we wanted to make sure Birchwood House residents were still able to see a friendly face and so every team member wore a lanyard around their neck, with a large picture of their smiling face on it. - A Taste of Days Gone By this April
This month we travelled back in time and turned the clocks right back for an afternoon of vintage 1940s fun. We enjoyed fabulous vintage-styled live entertainment, historically themed displays, and the nostalgic taste of wartime Britain during our 1940s-inspired Tea Dance. - Spring Open day
Whether you’re looking for respite or permanent residential care Birchwood House warmly invites you to our Spring Open Day on Saturday 7th May from 12 – 4 pm. All key members of staff will be available to meet you as well as give a tour of our beautiful residential home on the outskirts of Tunbridge Wells. - There’s a spring in our step at Birchwood House
There’s a spring in our step! The flowers are blooming, and the skies are turning blue. Spring is onContinue reading “There’s a spring in our step at Birchwood House” - Win a Mother’s Day afternoon tea
- How arts and crafts hugely benefit the elderly
It’s been a fantastic month here at Birchwood House. We’ve recently celebrated Valentine’s Day and have enjoyed smiles all around. - The difference between care homes and retirement villages
As many adults enter the later stages of their life, they often need either extra care, help and support and want to be around those in a similar situation or position to them from an age and health perspective. - Win a harvest vegetable hamper
Would you like to be a winner? We’re giving away a Harvest Vegetable Hamper with the October issue ofContinue reading “Win a harvest vegetable hamper” - Forget a siesta as residents fiesta Mexican style
Our residents sipped on fruit cocktails and were served an array of Mexican food such as pork carnitas, guacamole, pickled red cabbage, churros and flavoured tortilla chips and dips, all of which were prepared by our care home chef, Erminio.
