Gò0dNews for Everyone
Let Food Be Thy Medicine
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by Dana Robinson
e have all heard the quote from Hippocrates
and tastes I remember. I can very vividly recall the brilliant
“Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy
colors of the fruit as I carefully arranged the vibrant red
food.” Pair that with the Chinese proverb “He
cherries inside yellow rings of golden pineapple. Just
that takes medicine and neglects diet wastes the skills of
sharing this story brings a smile to my face and warmth
the physician,” and you are bound to wonder if you’ll ever
in my heart. I am once again transported to my childhood
enjoy what you eat again.
sitting at the counter in my grandmother’s kitchen.
When my husband, Jamie Robinson, and I founded
My friend Gene shared a similar story of pineapple
Lighthouse Personal Care Homes, we knew that food
upside-down cake being his mother’s favorite. I remember
would be a high priority in our boutique senior living
Gene serving pineapple upside-down cake with a similar
communities. Our mission statement includes creating
nostalgic smile in his mother’s honor at several functions
moments of joy in everything we do. How could we
he hosted. Is there something unique and powerful to this specific dessert, I wonder. It is often requested as a resident favorite in our care homes. As small boutique care homes, we can create menus tailored to our residents’ tastebuds and impactful life experiences. It’s not surprising pineapple upside-down cake makes its way on our menus often. Yes, there are health benefits to eating pineapple. Pineapple is packed full of flavonoids and phenolic acid, as well as bromelain. These antioxidants and enzymes found in pineapple help protect against chronic diseases, cancer, and can reduce pain and swelling. To me, “Let food be thy medicine…” is not limited to just the nutritional benefits of food
promote health with the food we prepare and recognize
but also the power of the food to spark memories and
our natural desire to truly enjoy food? After all, food is one
promote emotional and cognitive support. We can always
of life’s simple pleasures, right?
make healthier ingredient swaps in recipes but let’s not
Food is amazing! It nourishes our body, mind, and
undervalue the connections we have with food on an
soul. Our brains are pretty amazing as well. According
emotional level, especially when it comes to unlocking
to Dr. Lorn Miller, a board-certified neurologist, over
hidden memories and making connections with our seniors
the years we develop emotional memories and many
and those living with dementia.
of these memories revolve around food. Have you ever smelled something or tasted something and it brought
See Dana’s pineapple upside-down cake recipe on our Taste Buds page!
you right back to a special time or place, perhaps your I remember making pineapple upside-down cake with my grandmother as a small child. It wasn’t just the smells
28 // March 2022
About The Author
grandmother’s kitchen or a holiday gathering?
Dana Robinson is a registered nurse and dementia care educator & specialist. She and her husband founded Lighthouse Personal Care Homes with two locations in Dalton, GA—Walnut Creek and Southern Haven. For more information about Dana and her boutique senior living communities visit www.lighthousepch.com.
