In residential aged care, food services are often assessed on variety, flavour, and presentation. But behind every visually appealing plate is a critical and often overlooked factor: portion control.
At Cater Care, we believe that portion control isn’t just as important as nutrition—it is the way we deliver nutrition. Without accurate food portioning, even the best menu can fall short of meeting essential food and nutrition guidelines.
Kristel Seiler, our Aged Care Compliance Manager, has been working with our Senior Dietitian Rachel Gray to ensure that precision in portioning supports everything from nutritional adequacy to compliance with aged care food services standards. As part of our commitment to making meaningful mealtimes, we’re proud to share insights that help raise the bar across the industry.
In aged care food services, getting the portion size right isn’t optional—it’s foundational. Inaccurate portioning can lead to two major risks: malnutrition from under-serving and unintended health issues from overconsumption. And for older adults with smaller appetites but higher nutrient needs, portioning becomes even more critical.
Cater Care uses portioning as the frontline method to ensure meals meet nutritional benchmarks. Accurate portion control helps ensure that every resident receives the right amount of protein, energy, and key nutrients.
To make this even more complex, recommended portioning standards vary from state to state. Working with a national provider like Cater Care, which averages state-specific standards through thorough menu assessments, takes that complexity off the client’s plate.
While food portioning might sound like basic kitchen prep, it’s actually a precise science rooted in nutritional data and operational consistency.
“Getting nutrition right starts with getting portions right,” says Kristel. “It’s not about guesswork—we use grams, not guesstimates.”
Our recipes for residential aged care meals are designed using portion sizes backed by state-level menu review standards and food and nutrition guidelines. That’s soups, snacks, lunches, main meals, and even cakes.
Accurate portioning ensures consistency across sites, simplifies menu review processes, and enables Cater Care to deliver on both nutrition and satisfaction. Residents feel reassured when meals look substantial and are tailored to their health needs, while staff benefit from clear standards and training.
External reference: Eat for Health – Serve Sizes
So how does Cater Care translate all this theory into daily best practice?
It starts with our menu development and assessment process, which brings together chefs, dietitians and compliance experts like Kristel. Our aged care food services recipe library is built with precise portions in mind, so every meal served supports compliance and resident wellbeing.
Portioning standards also form part of our national Diet and Nutrition Manual for Aged Care, available on every site. This supports transparency and allows us to confidently show how our meals align with required nutrient levels. If a dietitian drops in or a new team member starts, everyone has access to the same clear guidance.
Training is another key ingredient. Our Learning & Development (L&D) team plays a hands-on role in ensuring chefs and food service staff understand and apply correct portioning techniques across residential aged care sites. This turns best practice into business-as-usual.
With the new Aged Care Quality Standards on the horizon, the spotlight is turning to the quality, consistency and nutritional adequacy of aged care food services.
Kristel’s practical approach to food portioning gives Cater Care a head start. Her insights are already helping us align our operations with evolving compliance expectations.
Through clear documentation, portion-controlled recipes, and proactive menu assessments, we’re not just keeping up—we’re staying ahead.
Learn more about how we’re preparing: Cater Care Aged Care Quality Standards
Portion control is the unsung hero of aged care food services. It’s what transforms a good-looking menu into a nutritionally complete offering. It supports consistency, compliance, and, most importantly, resident wellbeing.
With experts like Kristel leading the way and a team committed to continuous improvement, Cater Care is proud to deliver food services that truly nourish.
Want to know how your facility’s menu assessment and food portion practices measure up? Visit our Aged Care Quality Standards hub to learn more about how we’re supporting better dining outcomes across the country.
