Eating healthily during COVID-19

Tips for meal times and snacks

• stock up on healthy snacks in the house - we often mistake boredom or anxiety for hunger
  • if your children are asking for lots of snacks, redirect them to an activity or ask them how they're feeling; find activity ideas
• remember to stick to the recommended amount of daily snacks as children are probably less active during isolation
• stick to routine mealtimes and maintain a healthy, balanced diet; encourage your children to help you prepare meals and snacks and talk to them about eating the right things to stay healthy
• have family meal times where you all eat together
  • use this time to talk to each other; don’t allow distractions at the table including mobile phones and tablets
• make sure your children are drinking enough water and staying hydrated
• remember to show healthy behaviours and coping skills to your children; they'll follow your example

National free school meals

• schools are providing free school meals for eligible pupils through a school meal or by others ways if they're not in school; this applies to Southwark secondary, primary or maintained nursery schools
• all parents of children eligible for free school meals should - find out if your child is eligible
• if your child is eligible for free school meals:
  • call or email your child’s school and request a free school meal application form (it may be called a Pupil Premium application form)
  • fill out the form and return it to the school; the school will send it to us for eligibility checking
  • once we've checked if your child is eligible, we'll tell the school and your child will get some form of meals
  • your child’s school should have been in touch with you and be providing meals in some form; if you think your child should be getting a free school meal and they're not, contact the school

Southwark free healthy meals

• we offer free healthy school meals to all children in school based nurseries and primary schools in the borough
• during the current COVID-19 pandemic, we've made sure free school meals are provided for children who are most in need; this includes:
  • children who are vulnerable
  • children who are eligible to receive free school meals
• we're working with all schools to help them provide a free healthy school meal offer to all children
• if you'd like to know what your child is entitled to, contact your child’s school

Resources about healthy eating

• Healthy Lifestyle Hub - offers family healthy eating and exercise support, call them on 0333 005 0095 and ask about our Alive ‘N’ Kicking programme
• information about eating well with 20 tips for eating well for less
• if you're unable to afford food or are self-isolating due to COVID-19 (coronavirus) and unable to access food
  • call our Community Hub on 0207 525 5000 (choose the COVID-19 option)

Page last updated: 03 November 2020