Last week was Nutrition and Hydration Week (11-17 March) – an annual campaign which focuses on the links between our health and what we eat and drink.
Nutrition and Hydration Week is a reminder that we should all try to make conscious choices daily, whether it’s opting for water instead of sugary drinks, or adding more veg to our plates.
The theme for our Trust’s campaign this year was ‘Food and Mood’ and, as usual, our facilities teams hosted various events and activities across our hospitals and sites throughout the week to promote the importance of healthy eating and hydration among our patients and colleagues.
MUST Monday
The week opened with MUST Monday – a day which focused on the importance of screening patients for malnutrition using the Malnutrition Universal Screening Tool (MUST) – a validated screening tool developed by the Malnutrition Advisory Group, a standing committee of BAPEN (British Association for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition).
Tasting Tuesday
Tasting Tuesday was an opportunity for colleagues, including international nurses, to sample and learn more about the current menu choices on our inpatient wards.
The day received lots of great feedback, with colleagues reporting that the shepherd’s pie was ‘very tasty, with lots of meat’ and the baked vegetable pie was ‘full of flavour with pastry that was light and delicious’.
The general consensus was that the dishes were delicious, with many colleagues saying they now feel better informed to offer patients advice about their menu choices.
Wednesday 13 March
Buffet Lunch Tea Party
The highlight of every Nutrition and Hydration Week is the Global Tea Party. Our Facilities teams hosted tea parties at sites and hospitals across the Trust. The Global Tea Party is a great way to bring people together and create some joy and fun. Some of the products on the menu included items that improve hydration, without compromising taste.
Thirsty Thursday
A variety of drinks, milkshakes and ice lollies were available to help promote hydration and mood.
Fibre Friday
A wider selection of fruits for snacks and vegetables were made available at mealtimes to encourage people to think about the links between fibre intake and healthy bowel habits.
Sensory Saturday
Our Facilities teams provided foods with more herbs and spices, olive/rapeseed oils, fish and snacks similar to Omega 3-rich Mediterranean diets, to improve people’s food and mood.
Sun Sunday Sundae
Nutrition and Hydration Week concluded with Sun Sunday Sundae. The focus of this day was on improving bowel care and preventing constipation by increasing fibre in people’s diet – with more fluids, fibre and Vitamin D (sunny vitamin) for mood.
Other activities during Nutrition and Hydration Week included the creation of healthy eating posters, as well as fresh smoothies. Posters and leaflets were shared with patients and colleagues to help promote hydration, as well as increase awareness about the importance of including dietary fibre and vitamin D in the diet.
Catering Manager Joby Scaria said: “It was great to see all patients and staff participating in this year’s Nutrition and Hydration Week. These events were well supported and highly successful in outpatient areas, offices, as well as inpatient units.
“Feedback received has been very positive, from visitors, patients and colleagues alike. There is a real interest in developing these activities further in the future to help raise awareness about this key aspect of patient care.
“I would like to thank the teams involved in the planning and preparation of this year’s events and activities, and all the patients and staff who took part.”
