Bangers and Mash is pan-fried sausages served with creamy mashed potatoes and onion gravy. A quick dish to whip up, making it ideal for mid-week meals. The Classic British meal, that’s a great bang for your buck and a staple for many Aged Care Residents.
Bangers and mash is a meal with an interesting history and an even more interesting name. Like the sausages that popped and hissed over high heat, this meal exploded on the scene during World War 1 and has evolved many times since. The shortage of meat made this meal a staple of the old sentiment “we make do with what we have”. And even in the generations to follow, bangers and mash have become a regular cheap mid-week household meal.
Most commonly, the bangers traditionally varies between lamb, beef or pork sausages, which while easy and affordable, aren’t the most nutritious protein options. But Resident’s enjoy them. Does this mean that Aged Care homes shouldn’t be serving Bangers and Mash on the menu? Let our Dietitians explain further.
Are Sausages a Nutritious Friend or Foe for Residents?
Sausages, if made of the right stuff can be quite nutritious. However, most variations are not. The Australian Guide to Healthy Eating normally puts them down as discretionary choices, or foods to be enjoyed occasionally in small amounts. This is because sausages are often very high in fat, particularly saturated fat, which is considered to be a deal breaker for those looking out for their heart health. They are also often made using a lot of salt, which is another red flag for the heart health conscious.
Should Bangers and Mash be included on an Aged Care Menu?
As Aged Care Dietitians, we say yes, in moderation, only if the Residents request this.
Yes, sausages are not the most nutritious protein option for Residents. However, Resident choice, Cultural preferences and the frequency are extremely important when we review a menu for Aged Care Homes as well as the nutritional value. What it boils down to, is the Residents. We wouldn’t recommend serving sausages multiple times a week, but it’s fine to include as part of your 4-week cycle should your residents specifically want this dish. Remember, everything can be enjoyed in moderation! So, keep the Bangers and Mash, Curried Sausages, Sausage casserole, Italian Sausage soup or other dishes with sausages on the menu, if Residents request this.
Malnutrition rates in aged care are too high, so as a priority, Aged Care Homes should be listening to what Residents would like to eat, what their preferences are and if sausages are requested, sausages should be provided. At the end of the day, we should aim to provide the best quality of life for residents, and aim to reduce the rates of malnutrition and weight loss in Aged Care.
How to beef up the nutrition on your bangers and mash dish for Residents.
Serve it with a High Energy High Protein (HEHP) onion gravy, HEHP mashed potato and fresh streamed green veggies on the side. Sausages also go well with a tomato-based sauce, rice and stir-fried veggies, or in a curry with chickpeas, lentils and potato. A BBQ is another great time sausages really shine, and serving in a roll or on bread to reminisce, with some salad and some chips, might tickle many Residents’ fancies.
Swapping out the bangers in your bangers and mash
Looking for alternative options to the traditional bangers and Mash for your menu? Mashed potato is delicious and nutritious, so instead of removing the entire dish, here’s some healthier ideas for your bangers.
Make your own sausages.
By making your own sausages, you can use leaner cuts of meat, and control the saturated fat and preservatives used as well fresh herbs and spices to increase flavour without adding as much salt.
Swap the traditional beef sausage with leaner cut of meat
Try extra-lean chicken or kangaroo sausages that top the list of healthy meat choices! Sausages made from leaner cuts of meat are often lower in calories and salt. Sausages made from organic meat often contain few additives and more natural flavours too. The good news is that lean meat sausages that are salt and fat reduced, count as a meat serve.
Try vegetarian bangers
Try frying a cup or closed fist worth of firm tofu strips as a sausage substitute.
Can someone with Dysphagia eat Sausages?
The Sausages in your Bangers and Mash can prove to be difficult for someone with dysphagia to eat. This is due to two reasons; sausages have an outer layer of skin, and some sausages can have gristle. Both of these reasons can make eating sausages difficult for someone with dysphagia due to increases difficulty to chew them and an increased choking risk.
We know that sausages are a food that many residents enjoy eating. Fortunately, there are ways to prepare sausages to make it safe for someone with dysphagia to eat and complies with IDDSI guidelines.
IDDSI Levels and Sausages
Level 7 Regular Diet No modifications
Level 7 Easy to Chew Choose a variety of sausage that has no gristle and remove the skin. Boil the sausage, and ensure excess liquid is drained. Use the IDDSI fork pressure test to ensure it can easily be broken down.
Level 6 Soft & Bite-Sized Choose a variety of sausage that has no gristle and remove the skin. Boil the sausage and ensure excess liquid is drained, then cut sausage into 1.5 x 1.5cm bite-sized pieces. Use the IDDSI fork pressure test to ensure it can easily be broken down.
Level 5 Minced & Moist Choose a variety of sausage that has no gristle and remove the skin. Boil the sausage and ensure excess liquid is drained, then finely mince sausage into 4mm size particles and ensure the particles fit between the prongs of a standard dinner fork. Use the IDDSI fork pressure test to ensure it can easily be broken down and use the IDDSI spoon tilt test to ensure it is not too sticky. Mix and serve with a thick sauce or gravy.
Level 4 Puree Choose a variety of sausage that has no gristle and remove the skin. Boil the sausage and ensure excess liquid is drained, then puree sausage with thick sauce or gravy until puree is smooth and lump free. Use the IDDSI spoon tilt test to ensure puree is not too sticky and use the IDDSI fork drip test to ensure liquid is not dripping from fork.
Need more training on IDDSI?
Our IDDSI training provides practical examples on how to implement IDDSI into your Aged Care Home. As well as our Aged Care Recipes have instructions on how to modify for each IDDSI Food level too.
For more information reach out to our Speech Pathologists and Dietitians.
Is it goodbye to the humble bangers and mash?
Most certainly not.
Residents can enjoy the classic Bangers and Mash, or even Curried Sausages or Sausage casserole which is especially yummy and comforting during the cooler months. Work with your Dietitians to ensure Residents are getting the nutrients they need.
Don’t forget to:
Conduct Resident Surveys, find out what your Aged Care Residents want. If it’s not popular in your home, swap it for something more nutritious.
Mix it up, try heathier lean meat or vegetarian alternatives
Serve sausages with delicious HEHP sides
Be conscious with the Residents on the different IDDSI levels and to follow the instructions as per the Speech Pathologist to keep them safe.
Remember moderation is key. Sausages are not recommended regularly on the menu. Only include sausages on the menu if specifically requested by residents.
If you need more help, our experienced Aged Care Dietitians are here to help! Our Team is located all around Australia to assist Residents and Aged Care Homes to create delicious and nutritious meals, through our Recipes, Menu Reviews and one-on-one care for Residents.