Eating in hospital

Eating in hospital can be a problem if you're not feeling well and getting used to a different routine.

Weight loss in hospital

About 30 out of 100 people (30%) admitted to hospitals in the UK are at risk of malnutrition. If you are malnourished, it can take you longer to recover.

People who are most at risk of becoming malnourished are those:

• older than 65, particularly if they are in a care home or nursing home or hospital
• with long term conditions, such as diabetes, chronic lung problems or kidney problems
• with chronic conditions like cancer or dementia that might get worse
• who abuse drugs or alcohol

You should have screening for the risk of malnutrition:

• on admission to the hospital
• during your stay

Mealtimes on the ward

It is not always easy to get used to the set mealtimes when you are in hospital. You may feel sick, be away from the ward having tests or be asleep at mealtimes. This means that your food might get cold or you miss a meal.

It can be difficult to cope with eating when you are feeling very tired or ill, or have a drip in your arm.

Hospital wards can be very busy, and staff might not always be able to help with every meal. People who feel ill due to cancer or treatment often need help and encouragement to eat and drink.

Some hospitals serve food on a red tray for people who need help with eating. This helps to make sure that staff are aware if you need help.

Protected mealtimes

Many hospitals now make sure that you don't have tests or see the doctor during mealtimes. This is called protected mealtime.

The aim is to help encourage people to eat well and enjoy their meals. It also helps the nurses to check and know what you eat. 

The only people on the ward during mealtimes should be those helping you to eat. Ask your nurse if you need a friend or relative to sit with you at mealtimes. They might be able to arrange this.

Hospital food quality

Unfortunately, the food in hospitals is not always to everyone's taste. There might be nothing you like, particularly if you don't feel well.

None of this helps if you are having problems with eating and are losing weight.

You should be able to choose a vegetarian or vegan option on the menu. Or a meal that is suitable for any dietary, cultural or religious requirements you have. Speak to your nurse as soon as you arrive at the hospital to let them know if you have specific dietary needs.

Let your nurse know if you are not happy with your food. Your relatives can also tell the ward staff that you are struggling to eat the food that is on offer.

Most hospitals will try their best to provide you with something you find easier to eat.

Tips on eating better in hospital

• Ask your nurse if your hospital provides a snacks. Sometimes it helps to eat little and often.
• If you miss a meal for any reason, ask your nurse if you can get a hot meal when you are ready
• Ask relatives and friends to bring in snacks such as fruit, biscuits and dried fruit and nuts or nutritious drinks to have between meals. Always check with staff that nuts are permitted on the ward.
• Go out to a local café or restaurant for a meal with relatives or friends, or eat together in the hospital café. Make sure you check with the ward staff that you can leave the ward.
• If you can’t leave the ward, you can ask if there is somewhere you can sit away from your bed.

Going out for meals or getting take away food does cost money, and not everyone can afford to do this. But asking relatives to bring in food may be a cheaper way of getting something to eat that you like.

Check with your nurse before you have any food brought in. The hospital might have particular hygiene and safety policies that don’t allow this. You should also check with your nurse if you are on any special diet.