Mum living in care home enjoying Pure Food Shapes
“I want things to be right for her” When they connected with Zoom, Liz in London and her mother Diana in Pukekohe, it was clear something was wrong. Diana, 87, a resident of Pukekohe Retirement Village, was losing weight and her sparkle was gone. “I noticed she couldn’t speak, she wouldn’t look at the camera […]
Daughter organizes Pure Food for her elderly father
“The whole family is happy” At 92, Barry Stewart still lives in his own home and manages a two-hectare lifestyle block in Franklin. He only recently sold his cows, which he had been feeding daily himself. Arthritis and a heart condition have slowed him down, so he rides a motorbike to collect the mail. “He’s […]
Full hearts: How to enhance the dining experience
Far from joyful social occasions, mealtimes can be stressful and isolating for people with swallowing difficulties. They may feel anxious about choking, or frustrated by how long it takes to get food down, and by their inability to be part of the conversations happening around them. As a result, it’s common for those with swallowing […]
Food for thought: Why nutrition is especially important for the elderly
Older people are particularly vulnerable to malnutrition, which has a serious and far-reaching impact on quality of life. Malnutrition – when the body isn’t receiving enough nutrients to support its functions – is a serious problem in older populations worldwide. Our bodies rely on energy (from macronutrients such as carbohydrates, proteins and fats) to function […]
Roasted Goodness
How to make a satisfying Sunday roast from nutritionally fortified purees. For many people, the Sunday roast is a lifelong love. The Pure Food Co’s take on this beloved classic is safe for those on a texture-modified diet while retaining all of a roast’s flavour and goodness. And it’s simple to put together, in either […]
The Ultimate Comfort Food
Eating devilled sausages with mash is like receiving a hug from the inside. When tasked with creating a pureed version of devilled sausages, Anton Leyland went straight to the test kitchen and started playing with ingredients – a task he likens to sorting through his personal flavour bank. “I like to make traditional favourites with […]
A Sweet Surprise
Yes, you can have your cake and eat it, too even if you are on a modified soft food diet. Dessert is one of life’s little rewards and thanks to The Pure Food Co’s innovation, it is not one that people with eating difficulties need to give up. As consulting chef Anton Leyland says, “The […]
Soups for the soul
In the colder months there’s nothing better than a bowl of hearty soup. One of the most popular ways to use The Pure Food Co’s fortified purees is as a soup base; they are so delicious they are served in Air New Zealand’s regional lounges and enjoyed by residents and their families across aged care […]
Why is hydration important for older people?
In this blog post, our expert dietitian, Kaye Dennison (NZRD) explains why hydration is such an important issue for older people and shares her tips on how to reduce the risk of dehydration. Why do we need hydration? Water is an essential nutrient which the body loses and cannot produce in the amounts it requires. […]
Q&A: How much energy do older people need and how can they get it?
In this Q&A, our expert dietitian, Kaye Dennison (NZRD) shares insights around energy and tips for how older people can get more of it. Older people’s energy needs vary on an individual basis depending on their gender, weight, physical activity level (PAL), metabolic needs. In general, energy needs decrease with age following a reduction in […]
