Our bodies change as we age.

Appetite
Older people tend to be less active and have smaller appetites. There is often a gradual decline in smell and taste but these senses trigger the body for food – so hunger isn’t experienced so acutely. This makes good presentation really important.

Teeth
Many older people have dentures or missing teeth, so please establish the areas of difficulty for individuals, such as ‘al dente’ vegetables or seeds.

Digestion
Vegetarians often have more robust digestive systems than meat-eaters but some foods become more difficult to digest as we get older e.g. radish, raw cabbage, beans and cucumber skin. Go easy with the known culprits and talk to those you cater for and be aware of their individual needs.

Fibre
Constipation tends to be a problem for older people generally but on the plus side veggies tend to suffer less than meat-eaters. A balanced vegetarian diet contains plenty of fibre. Wholemeal bread, brown rice and pasta are better health-wise, but if an older veggie prefers the ‘white’ variety, you don’t have to worry too much about fibre intake. Alongside a high fibre diet it is important to ensure a plentiful intake of fluid.