Nutrition for older Australians

Older Australians face unique nutritional needs, and your meals can help meet them. With a few simple adjustments, you can support healthy ageing, boost customer wellbeing, and tap into a growing market.

Why good nutrition matters as we age

Malnutrition affects around 1 in 2 older Australians in aged care or living independently. It's not always obvious, but it can have serious consequences, including frailty, falls, slower healing, and hospitalisation. One major contributor is sarcopenia – the age-related loss of muscle, which is closely linked to low energy and protein intake.

But food businesses like yours can make a real difference. For older Australians, especially those supported through Support at Home (previously Home Care Packages), access to regular, nutritious meals isn’t just about convenience – it’s vital to staying independent and well.

A growing opportunity for meal providers

More Australians are choosing to age at home, and many are eligible for government-subsidised meals. This shift creates a meaningful opportunity for local food businesses.

Food businesses that can provide meals that are nutritionally balanced, easy to order, and available via convenient delivery or local pick-up are well-placed to grow their customer base while making a positive impact.

Even small adjustments, like offering more appropriate portion sizes or optimising protein content. can make your menu more accessible and attractive to this group.

What older adults need from meals

As people age, their appetite may decrease, but their nutritional needs become even more important. Meals should be energy-dense, protein-rich, and fortified where possible, especially when catering to smaller appetites.

Each main meal should aim to deliver 25–30g of protein, supported by smaller fortified snacks, soups or desserts throughout the day. Balanced main meals typically include 65–100g of lean protein, three serves of vegetables, and a small portion of carbohydrate such as rice, quinoa or mashed potato, totalling around 120–150g in weight. Soups should offer at least 180ml with added vegetables or legumes, and desserts can be a good source of calcium and energy, ideally not low-fat, and preferably low GI.

Fortification is an effective way to boost nutrition without increasing volume. Adding ingredients like milk powder, cheese, cream or legumes to soups, mash or baked goods can lift the protein and energy content of your meals.

Ingredients that support healthy ageing include:

• Protein-rich foods like chicken, fish, legumes, eggs and dairy

• Calcium-rich options to maintain bone strength (e.g. dairy, leafy greens, fortified plant milks)

• Vitamin B6 sources to support brain function and immunity (e.g. bananas, potatoes, fortified cereals)

Taste, texture and familiarity also matter. Meals should be flavourful, easy to chew, and made with culturally recognisable ingredients. Soft textures and careful food preparation are especially important for older adults, who are more vulnerable to foodborne illness. And don’t underestimate variety - colourful, rotating menu options can help stimulate appetite and lift mood.

Example dishes that support healthy ageing

If you're looking to create meals that are both appealing and nutritionally appropriate for older adults, here are a few ideas drawn from Cookaborough's Menu Planning Guide:

• Grilled fish with steamed vegetables and brown rice or quinoa
  High in protein and omega-3s, this dish also offers fibre, vitamins, and sustained energy.

• Slow-cooked lamb stew with carrots, peas and pumpkin
  Lamb is a good source of iron and protein. Slow cooking makes everything soft, digestible, and flavourful.

• Vegetable and chickpea curry with soft naan or rice
  Offers plant-based protein and fibre, with aromatic spices that can help stimulate appetite.

• Pumpkin and lentil soup
  Smooth, gently spiced, and rich in fibre, protein and beta-carotene.

• Apple crumble with custard
  A soft-textured dessert that provides energy and calcium when served with full-cream custard.

Using Cookaborough to meet best practice

The Cookaborough platform makes it easy to apply nutrition best practice. You can:

• Use the Nutrition Information Panel to ensure meals meet protein and energy targets

• Use menu badges to identify meals that are ‘high protein’

• Organise your menu clearly, with sections for smaller serves or fortified snacks

• Ensure each recipe includes portion sizes, dietary tags, and clear heating instructions

• Include useful FAQs that address common questions from older customers or their Care Providers

Additional support for menu planning

To support food businesses serving older Australians, Cookaborough has also developed a Menu Planning Guide. This practical resource was designed specifically for meal providers, drawing on government-approved nutrition and food service guidelines for aged care. You’ll find a clear summary of recommendations and all reference materials itemised within the guide.

Cookaborough Menu Planning Guide