In nursing homes or long-term care settings, meals are much more than a nutritional break: they are moments of social interaction, enjoyment, and a key marker of daily life. Yet behind every tray lies a critical health issue: preventing malnutrition.

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But how can we know if a resident is truly eating enough—or if they are starting to pick at, push away, or refuse their meals?

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Monitoring intake: a key indicator for dignified nutritional care

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"Intake" refers to the actual amount of food consumed. It’s a vital indicator to help prevent malnutrition, even before clinical symptoms or weight loss appear.

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Observing what is eaten—and what is left uneaten—allows earlier, more precise, and more compassionate action. Why? Because it helps account for:

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• residents’ food preferences,
• their level of appetite,
• satisfaction with meals,
• their ability to chew, digest, or tolerate certain textures.

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The pleasure of eating is central to aging well. Respecting that pleasure—without guilt—is part of a holistic, person-centered approach.

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Traditional methods: well known but often ineffective

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In most facilities today, monitoring food intake still relies on:

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• paper-based tracking sheets,
• empirical observations by staff,
• occasional weighing of plates,
• or manually updated Excel files.

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The limitations are clear:

• Time-consuming (3 to 5 minutes per person),
• No clear traceability,
• Highly subjective observations from one staff member to another,
• Difficult to cross-reference data (meals, weight, risk scores),
• Staff overwhelmed by administrative burden.

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In short: the intention is there, but the effectiveness is low.

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A modern solution: AI supporting nutritional care

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What if technology allowed this tracking to be done in under 20 seconds, with no additional burden on the teams?

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That’s exactly what Skeal offers: an AI-powered solution for nutritional analysis.

How does it work?

• A hands-free photo of the meal tray is taken,
• The AI automatically recognizes the food items,
• It measures what was left and therefore what was actually eaten,
• It calculates the nutrients absorbed, waste rates, and alerts teams when a drop is detected.

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These data feed directly into a clear dashboard accessible to nurses, dietitians and kitchen staff.

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Comparison: traditional vs AI-powered methods

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Supporting better decision-making

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By linking actual food intake with meal plans, care teams can:

• Adjust served portions,
• Modify textures based on chewing or digestion capacity,
• Propose targeted enrichment (protein, calories, etc.),
• Observe reactions to specific dishes and adapt menus accordingly.

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Conclusion: AI as a driver for better aging

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Accurately tracking food intake is becoming a core component of quality care.

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With a solution like Skeal, teams can:

• anticipate risk situations before malnutrition sets in,
• improve the overall nutritional status of residents,
• reduce food waste by customizing meals,
• and most importantly, place nutrition at the heart of a compassionate, personalized care approach.

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All without increasing the workload—and with meaningful data shared between dietitians and kitchen teams.

Eating well to age well: it’s no longer just an intention. It’s an achievable goal.

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