Puréed food is a necessity for many older people who have difficulties chewing and swallowing, but it can often look unappetizing. Because of these, people with these medical conditions often end up not eating enough food.
“It's a really big problem that people who get consistency-adapted food eat too little,” says Evelina Höglund at the research institute Rise, which is behind the project.
READ ALSO: How Stockholm's population will change over the next decade
The new technique of 3D-printed meals will be tested at two elderly care homes in Halmstad and Helsingborg in southern Sweden, as well as at a company that provides food for hospitals.
“The idea is to create, for example, a piece of broccoli, a chicken leg, or a Danish pastry so that it looks as identical [to the normal food] as possible. But the consistency will be like a loose pannacotta,” Richard Asplund from the food production company told the local Hallandsposten.
Another part of the project will be developing recipes adapted to individuals, taking into account dietary requirements or food preferences.
READ ALSO: Could robots soon care for Sweden's elderly?
Member comments