 As the calendar flips to November and December, foodservice teams face a dual challenge: deliver the familiar flavors of the holiday season while meeting the dietary needs of guests. If you’re serving older adults who are managing health concerns ranging from diabetes to dysphasia, being able to adapt to specific needs is more than a nice-to-have option — it’s essential for the safety and wellbeing of the people you serve.
When planning your holiday meals this season, consider options that allow plenty of room for variation but will preserve the nostalgic flavors guests crave. Roast turkey, for example, can be made with a rub of garlic, rosemary and citrus for a low-salt option, while a non-sweetened gravy can support diabetics. A minced version with gravy may suit those who have difficulty chewing and swallowing. Seasonal produce provides a number of options here too. Butternut squash soup is naturally sweet enough to avoid needing added sugar to suit diabetics, while adding coconut or oat milk can make the recipe vegan. Make a lower-salt version with vegetable stock, thyme, curry or nutmeg. Mashed potato can be combined with mashed cauliflower for a lower-carb option. A spiced apple compote can stand in for apple pie and is easy to scale, while a holiday bread pudding is naturally soft and easy to make sweeter with warming spices and seasonal fruit instead of sugar.  Times are changing. While Thanksgiving was once a quintessential home-based holiday, many more consumers stepped out to restaurants for their meal this year. Restaurant Business found that the percentage of consumers who planned to eat their Thanksgiving meal in a restaurant this year was double what it was last year. So project this forward to the holidays to come. As your restaurant plans for the festive season, experiences will continue to be important – and there may be an opportunity for you to provide high-value dining experiences for your guests. Restaurant bookings are showing that there is an appetite for it. Plus, at a time when convenience is so important to consumers, helping them avoid spending a day in the kitchen preparing food for holiday meals could hold strong appeal.
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