Are congregate meals meeting clients' needs for "heart healthy" menus?

This is a report of a dietary analysis of meals offered in one large congregate feeding program and clients' consumption patterns as they relate to self-reported dietary restrictions. Most meals exceeded dietary guidelines for kilocalories, cholesterol, and proportion of energy from fat. Of 438 congregate meal clients 60 years of age and older who were surveyed at senior citizen centers and congregate meal sites, 30% reported following a "special diet." The most commonly mentioned dietary modifications were low sodium and/or low fat/low cholesterol. Clients who reported dietary restrictions also reported eating fewer congregate meals per week than did clients who denied dietary restrictions.