What is Nutritional Therapy?
Nutritional Therapy aims to promote an individual’s health through tailored nutritional and lifestyle changes. Nutritional therapists work with individuals to help ease and prevent ill health through dietary recommendations – championing the benefits of wholesome foods and hydration, as well as recognising the therapeutic effects of certain foods for specific health conditions.
Eating well and staying active are important throughout a lifetime, but as we age, our bodies have different needs, so certain nutrients become particularly important. From calcium and vitamin D, to fibre and potassium – understanding the foundations of nutrition remains key to good health.
A combination of nature and science, Nutritional Therapy ‘acknowledges the kitchen as the medicine cabinet’ and is extremely important to the elderly, particularly those in Residential Care with Dementia or specific health conditions or illnesses.
‘We are what we eat’, so let’s be good to ourselves!
Nutritional Therapy at Nellsar
Across our Care Homes, we are really passionate about the physical and mental well-being of our residents and understand that nutrition and hydration are absolutely key to keeping people well.
Nellsar is one of the first Care Home groups to recognise the importance of nutrition for the elderly and those with Dementia. It is our mission to put the physical and mental well-being of our residents first and we have introduced a dedicated Nutritional Therapist and ‘Nutrition Champions’ within our Homes.
We are dedicated to promoting the health of our residents and understand that nutrition and hydration – delivered through well-balanced, nutritious meals – are absolutely key to keeping people well. Our Chefs work closely with our Nutrition & Wellness Manager, Leni Wood, to develop different meal plans and recipes that put focus on beneficial nutritional aspects, such as protein.
As a team, Leni, our Chefs and Nutrition Champions are dedicated to improving nutritional knowledge and practises across our Homes and sharing these ever-growing skills, through education and training, throughout the company. Positive changes – in the best-interest of all residents – are taking place!
Meet Leni Wood
Nellsar Care Homes’ Nutrition & Wellness Manager
Nutrition & Wellness Manager, Leni Wood is our in-house nutritional advisor, who joined our team in July 2017.
Leni is a qualified Nutritional Therapist, registered with the Complementary and Natural Healthcare Council (CNHC) and The British Association for Nutrition and Lifestyle Medicine (BANT) regulatory bodies.
She spent three years at The College of Naturopathic Medicine in Brighton studying a variety of specialisms including Biomedicine, Biochemistry, Human sciences and the history and scope of nutritional therapy and how nutrition affects the key systems of the human body. Her studies included 200 clinical hours over the course of 3 years.
Leni uses her vast knowledge to advise our teams on enhancing our residents’ health and well-being with a holistic approach.
As an advocate for better nutrition in healthcare, it is Leni’s dream to see a shift in the approach to food; she’s passionate about the kitchen being used to its full potential when providing sustenance to vulnerable people in compromised states of health.
“It is true that the foods you eat have far-reaching effects throughout the body – especially those consumed on a regular basis. I have seen the benefits that making small adjustments in food choices can bring; swapping high-sugar nutrient-empty foods for nutrient-rich alternatives. There is a world of evidence-based research out there to support the benefits of a nutrient-rich diet.”
Leni can provide a personal consultation to assess the health of an individual resident and tailor a nutritional plan in accordance with any physical ailments or specific requirements, such as a need for improved sleep quality.
Nutrition and wellness at Nellsar video
Our latest video talks about the benefits of Nutritional Therapy at Nellsar and how we maintain our superior catering provision across our 13 Care Homes.
Hear how we have adapted to the dramatic changes that came about as a result of the Coronavirus pandemic, including how we approach food, dining and nutrition. Health and immunity are our greatest defence against viruses, including Coronavirus, so we look at ways of including additional immune boosting foods into our menus without compromising on our residents’ preferences.
Food and Dining at Nellsar
Our Chefs work hard at developing tasty, varied meals and regularly consult with our residents to find out about their favourite dishes.
Our Catering Teams are committed to preparing fresh, home-cooked food using local ingredients, and we are very happy to cater for special dietary requirements including coeliac, diabetic, vegan, vegetarian and soft foods.
Nellsar Care Homes say farewell to instant soups
Adrian Silaghi is the Head of Catering Services at Nellsar for our group of 13 Care Homes throughout Kent, Surrey and Essex. Read on for his take on the wonderful nutritious soups prepared by our Chefs and Catering Teams: "The way soup is prepared helps to preserve...
Latest Blogs
Nellsar Care Homes say farewell to instant soups
Adrian Silaghi is the Head of Catering Services at Nellsar for our group of 13 Care Homes throughout Kent, Surrey and Essex. Read on for his take on...
Nellsar Catering Teams create wonderful Jubilee food and sweet treats
What made the Platinum Jubilee celebrations across Nellsar so special was the effort our staff teams put into decorating their Homes and organising...
Coeliac Awareness Month
It is currently Coeliac Awareness Month and working as a Nutritionist I have come across many people who aren’t very sure what coeliac disease...
The importance of diet in digestive health
Our health and immunity depend largely on the health of our digestive system. 70% of our immune system lies within our digestive tract. Vital...
Nellsar Care Homes Easter Food Feature
Easter celebrations among our Nellsar Care Homes means lots of yummy food and sweet treats. Our Chefs enjoy preparing delicious meals and indulgent...
Stress Awareness Month – Calming dining environments in care
Have you heard the saying ‘You are what you eat’? I tend to lean more towards 'We are where we eat, how we eat, what we eat and how we digest,...
Supporting a balanced diet in social care
Over the last two months, I have been coaching staff on healthy eating and how this might translate into our Nellsar Homes. A healthy balanced diet...
Delicious Function Food at Hengist Field Care Home
Hengist Field Care Home have held some functions in their large training room recently. Here are some pictures of the beautifully presented food...
Princess Christian Care Home creates delicious inclusive Christmas menu
Festive foods for every dietary taste and requirement Christmastime is one of the most important times of year for many people and our Head Chef and...
Warming winter drinks
At this time of year, everyone needs something warm and comforting to get them through the day. At Nellsar we are always looking for new ideas,...
Immune boosting tips
It’s that time of year again when the daylight hours are diminishing and the temperature is dropping. It’s at this time of year that our immune...
Nellsar Chef Masterclass October 2021
This month Adrian Silaghi and I held our first Masterclass since before the pandemic. We adapted to the ‘new normal’ by holding the Masterclass on...
Latest News & Events
Nellsar Care Homes say farewell to instant soups
Adrian Silaghi is the Head of Catering Services at Nellsar for our group of 13 Care Homes throughout Kent, Surrey and Essex. Read on for his take on...
Nellsar Catering Teams create wonderful Jubilee food and sweet treats
What made the Platinum Jubilee celebrations across Nellsar so special was the effort our staff teams put into decorating their Homes and organising...
Coeliac Awareness Month
It is currently Coeliac Awareness Month and working as a Nutritionist I have come across many people who aren’t very sure what coeliac disease...
The importance of diet in digestive health
Our health and immunity depend largely on the health of our digestive system. 70% of our immune system lies within our digestive tract. Vital...
Nellsar Care Homes Easter Food Feature
Easter celebrations among our Nellsar Care Homes means lots of yummy food and sweet treats. Our Chefs enjoy preparing delicious meals and indulgent...
Stress Awareness Month – Calming dining environments in care
Have you heard the saying ‘You are what you eat’? I tend to lean more towards 'We are where we eat, how we eat, what we eat and how we digest,...
