How can nutritious food and better settings during mealtimes influence health care? 
That’s what the Dutch government has assigned Wageningen UR Food & Biobased Research and Phliss to look into. The BrabantZorg nursing home also participates in this research project.
Research takes place at two of the home’s locations, where researchers measure the amount of food consumed by the customers, their appreciation of the meals, the amount of dietary supplements present and the amount of care they need. The researchers make use of camera observation techniques developed in the Restaurant of the Future.
Earning back the costs
During the research, customers are given meals which consist of at least 60% organic products, supplemented with products without any preservatives and artificial colouring, smell and taste ingredients. Much attention is also given to the setting and the appearance of the meals. In addition, the nursing staff has shown that they are very much needed during mealtimes. The research work will be successful if another form of nursing is found whereby the nursing homes can earn back their costs in other parts of the organization. This could, for example, be in using less costly dietary products or when the need for nursing is reduced.
Medical insurers
This research project lays down the foundations for a long-term follow-up research undertaking and is an initiative of outgoing minister Gerda Verburg of the LNV ministry. During the prize-giving ceremony of the LNV flavour award in May 2009, she voiced her thoughts aloud about the amount of pills that could be reduced were more attention given to meals in nursing homes. If the research results show that another approach can produce positive effects, she will start negotiating with medical insurers. ‘If we have results, we can discuss medical insurance for meals or the like.’
The research is based on policies set down in two cabinet papers concerning healthy nutrition from start to end, and sustainable food.
Contact person: Stefanie Kremer, Wageningen UR Food & Biobased Research