Healthcare
Functional Recipes to Amp Up Your Healthcare Menu
4/16/2025
The idea that food can have functional health benefits and even be medicinal is an ancient concept. The phrase “Let food by thy medicine and medicine be thy food” is often credited to Hippocrates, the “father of medicine,” who lived during Greece’s Classical period. From traditional Chinese medicine to Indian Ayurveda, many ancient traditions that celebrate food as medicine are still in use today.
Indeed, healing foods are seeing a renewed surge in interest as consumers look for simple ingredients and functional foods. In some markets, healthcare workers are even prescribing fruits and vegetables to patients.1
“Healing foods such as whole grains, leafy greens, and spices like turmeric and ginger are key to wellness, offering benefits like reduced inflammation and boosted immunity,” says Heather Campbell, a wellness expert and the founder of Ready Set Recover, an online wellness program designed to help patients recover from surgery. “Nutrient-rich meals, snacks, and spices are not only flavorful but also therapeutic, playing a vital role in tissue repair, energy levels, and overall healing, especially during a recovery period.”2
Flavor is key—consumers too often think that choosing a healthy option means choosing a bland or less exciting meal. Campbell recommends options like flavorful sweet potatoes, filling beans, and colorful leafy greens for a range of health benefits, from improved digestion to less joint pain to healthier skin, that also add plenty of flavor, color, and texture to a dish.2
How do you get started adding more flavor-packed healing foods to the menu? Here are five recipes you can use to inspire your own healthcare dining program:
1. Probiotic-Rich Flame-Roasted Fuji Apple Parfait
Campbell says that yogurt bowls and parfaits are packed with probiotics that support gut health and immunity.2 Using Simplot RoastWorks® RTE Flame-Roasted Fuji Apples kicks a traditional yogurt parfait up a notch, giving the dish a comforting, roasted flavor and tender texture. Layer the apples with Greek non-fat yogurt that has been flavored with a little cinnamon and honey, then layer the parfait for an eye-catching breakfast or snack option.
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2. Allergen-Free Fried Rice Stir Fry
A build-your-own fried rice stir fry station allows customers to customize their own healthy meal, ensuring it meets their tastes and they can stay away from any allergens. Give them lots of healthy choices that add vibrant color while making certain that any option they build is healthy and functional. Start with a base of Simplot Good Grains™ Vegetable Fried Rice or Simplot Simple Goodness™ Riced Cauliflower and then give customers fiber-rich options like Simplot Simple Goodness™ Broccoli Florets or protein-dense Simplot Good Grains™ Thai Style Red Quinoa & Vegetables.
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Grain bowls, protein bowls, salad bowls—consumers today can’t get enough bowls. They’re often colorful, feature lots of texture and flavor, they’re filling, and it’s easy to ensure they meet health goals. Here are three bowl options for your lunch or dinner menu, grab-and-go area, or bowl station:
3. Healthy Grains Bowl with Turmeric, Carrot, and Ginger Dressing
This hearty bowl is packed with grains and veggies, starting with a base of Simplot Good Grains™ Ancient Grains and Kale Blend topped with rich-yet-healthy slices of Simplot Harvest Fresh® Avocado Halves and Simplot Simple Goodness™ Shelled Edamame. The flavor is amped up with house-made turmeric, carrot, and ginger dressing.
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4. Seven Layer Bowl with Sweet Onion Ranch
This bowl proves that healthy and functional doesn’t mean skimping on anything. With seven different layers, this colorful menu option packs in flavors and textures. A healthy base of Simplot Simple Goodness™ Riced Cauliflower is topped with vibrant ingredients like Simplot RoastWorks® Flame-Roasted Corn & Jalapeño Blend, Simplot RoastWorks® Roasted Sweet Potatoes, and Simplot Harvest Fresh® Diced Avocado. The sweet onion ranch dressing will become a customer favorite, yet it’s simple to prepare with just Simplot Simple Goodness™ RTE Caramelized-Style Onions and prepared ranch dressing.
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5. Grilled Salmon, Orzo, and Quinoa Bowl with Hummus
For a protein-packed option, opt for crowd-pleasing salmon. This Mediterranean-inspired salmon bowl starts with Simplot Good Grains™ Whole Grain Orzo, Red Quinoa, and Vegetable Blend, then gets even more flavor with Simplot RoastWorks® RTE Flame-Roasted Peppers & Onions Blend, Simplot Harvest Fresh Cucumber Tzatziki Flavored Avocado Spread, and prepared hummus. It works equally well for dine-in or grab-and-go.
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These recipes make it easy to give customers fresh, healthy, functional options that are still packed with color and flavor. Whether it’s breakfast, lunch, dinner, or as a snack, functional menu items help healthcare customers make great choices that support their nutritional and functional needs.
1 Understanding Fruit and Vegetable Programs, CDC
2 10 Healing Recipes: Practical Nutrition for Surgery & Recovery, Ready Set Recover
