Eating well
If you're struggling to get to the shops and/or prepare healthy meals for yourself at home, there are many options available to help you overcome these difficulties.
We’ve provided some suggestions below on how you can continue to enjoy a healthy balanced diet even if you're no longer able to prepare a meal for yourself.
Kitchen equipment
There are a range of gadgets and devices which have been specially designed to help if you're affected by disabilities or health issues. You may find that these can make all the difference in allowing you to prepare food for yourself rather than relying on others to do it for you. A number of high street shops sell products in store and online. The following sites may also be of use:
Ready meals
If you find it difficult to prepare hot meals but you're able to use an oven or microwave, you can consider buying ready meals. These meals come already made and simply need heating up in the cooker or microwave. They come chilled or frozen and you can buy them from any supermarket, online or even over the phone.
Ready meals cater for people with all dietary needs. These include diabetic, low fat, low salt, low sugar, gluten free, vegetarian, Kosher, Halal, pureed and egg free meals. Although ready meals can be very handy, you should always read the label to make sure you're maintaining a healthy, balanced diet.
The NHS has produced advice and tips to eat well for less.
Food delivered to your home
There are ways to ensure that you get food and other shopping which you need if you're having trouble getting out in the community.
Lewisham and Southwark AgeUK provides a local service offering Help at Home to people aged over 50. This service can provide support with shopping and escorting to and from appointments for Lewisham and Southwark residents. Age UK Lewisham and Southwark also offer a food delivery service.
The following companies offer special diets for people with food allergies and intolerances and can deliver frozen meals to your door:
- Wiltshire Farm Foods can deliver batches of frozen meals to your home on a regular basis and provide a wide variety of options for people with different tastes or dietary needs
- Oakhouse Foods provide a range of home-delivered frozen meals across the UK
- Blue Mountain Foods specialise in Caribbean ready meals, with a minimum of 12 meals per order delivered to your door on a regular basis
Alternatively most of the big supermarkets have a home shopping delivery service which you or your carer can access online:
Some local food shops will deliver food to your home for a small charge. Many local restaurants and take-aways also deliver food to your home.
Support with meals
If you're unable to heat up frozen meals yourself and you don't have access to someone to prepare your meals, you can request an assessment.
Food and poverty
Sadly, food poverty, social isolation and unemployment affects many people across the UK. Some people have limited funds to buy food for themselves and their loved ones.
If you find yourself in this situation, the following organisations may be able to help:
- The Trussell Trust foodbanks provide a minimum of three days emergency food and support to people experiencing crisis in the UK
- local foodbanks include the Southwark Foodbank
You'll find a leaflet under 'documents' on this page, which provides information about care and support for adults with care needs in Southwark. You can download and print this leaflet.
Page last updated: 20 December 2022
