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and nutritional counselling, and taking an individualised, multidisciplinary approach.3 This reinforces a key message: nutrition
is everyone’s responsibility. Catering teams, carers, nurses, managers, dietitians, families and residents all have a role to play.
Food at the heart of outstanding care A ‘food-first’ approach is a cornerstone of person-centred care. When food is done well, it supports far
more than nutritional intake. It can help residents maintain independence, preserve dignity, participate socially, feel recognised as individuals and enjoy daily life. It can also give families confidence that their loved one is being cared for in a way that feels personal and thoughtful. The future of care is about more than
delivering increasing clinical interventions. It is about creating environments where people can live as well as possible. Food is one of the clearest expressions of that commitment. When nutrition, enjoyment, choice and
care come together, mealtimes become far more than a service. They become one of the most important ways a provider demonstrates what good care truly means. n
References 1. Norfolk and Waveney ICB Medicines Optimisation Dietetic Team. Nutrition in care homes guidance. Version 2.2. Norwich: Norfolk and Waveney Integrated Care Board; 2024.
2. Stratton RJ, Cawood AL, editors. Malnutrition and nutritional care survey in adults: UK Malnutrition Awareness Week, October 2023. Redditch: British Association for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition; 2024.
SCAN HERE
To read the full Food-First Care Guide from apetito, including further insights and practical advice, visit:
apetito.link/foodfirstguide
3. British Dietetic Association. Care home digest: menu planning and food service guidelines for older adults living in care homes. 1st ed. Birmingham: British Dietetic Association; 2024.
4. Volkert D, Beck AM, Cederholm T, Cruz-Jentoft AJ, Goisser S, Hooper L, et al. ESPEN guideline on clinical nutrition and hydration in geriatrics. Clin Nutr. 2019;38(1):10-47.
Rachel Sipaul
Rachel joined apetito as senior dietitian in 2025, bringing many years of experience in nutrition, healthcare and the food industry. Her expertise spans NHS healthcare, care homes and education settings, where she has helped shape nutritional support for diverse populations. Rachel is passionate about ensuring that good nutrition improves real-life outcomes for people at every stage of life. She is particularly committed to supporting older adults, advocating for food and nutrition that helps maintain independence, wellbeing and quality of life.
Visit apetito at Care Show Birmingham!
apetito’s exclusive VIP Lounge will be back on stand H60. Booked guests can enjoy a selection of nutritious dishes and discover how apetito helps kitchens balance labour and cost efficiencies while delivering high-åquality mealtimes for residents. Visitors are also invited to stop by the stand to chat with the team about apetito’s catering solution, including its award-winning IDDSI-compliant range that supports resident’s living with specialist dietary requirements. Book your space at the VIP Lounge at
apetito.link/ careshownec2026.
Want to learn more? Join Rachel Sipaul, Senior Dietitian at apetitio, alongside guests at 2 pm at the Keynote Theatre on Wednesday 7th October to discover how food, nutrition and the dining experience can transform outcomes for residents. Learn how adopting a food-first approach, where food and drink are recognised as a fundamental part of care rather than simply a catering provision, can support wellbeing, improve outcomes and enhance quality of life. The session will explore the foundations for embedding food and drink into care planning, practices and team training.
October 2026
www.thecarehomeenvironment.com 7
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