Snacks, Supplements & Between-Meal Nutrition

The plate at dinner isn’t where most residents fall short — it’s the in-between. Snacks and, where needed, supplements are how you close the gap without a fight.

Why it matters in a care home kitchen

• Fortified snack options: cheese & biscuit, malt loaf, fortified custard
• Sip feeds prescribed by a dietitian, not chosen by the kitchen
• Milky drinks count as nutrition, not just a cuppa
• Offer, don’t force — dignity stays in the offer
• Track what’s actually eaten, not what’s put down

What actually works

Make snacks worth eating

A fortified biscuit beats a dry one. Same effort, more nutrition.

Supplements are a team decision

If a resident needs a sip feed, it comes from a care plan, not the kitchen guessing.

Between meals is real meal

Treat mid-morning and afternoon as nutrition opportunities.

The bottom line

Snacks are not filler. For a poor eater, they’re half the day’s nutrition.

For the full picture across menu planning, hydration and nutrition standards, see our Meal & Nutrition in Care Homes guide.