Did you know it’s Nutrition and Hydration Week this month? This is a worthwhile campaign and most of us could benefit from advice on eating better.

Nutrition and poverty

For some, poor nutrition is a choice. Others, though, including many of those who seek help from CCDC, feel they have no choice but to skip meals and are not getting a nutritious diet – not through choice, but because of necessity. 6% of CCDC clients say that debt meant they had to sacrifice meals on a daily basis. A much higher proportion of clients – over one in three (37%) – report skipping meals on, at least, a monthly basis. In many cases, parents will ensure their children eat first, even if they themselves then have to go without. 

The spiral of poor nutrition

The NHS website says that a lack of proper nutrition can lead to someone feeling tired all the time, feeling weak, getting ill more often and taking longer to recover from illness. This can make it difficult for someone in this position to go to work, or work productively, which can lead to them not being able to earn and falling further into debt, particularly if their work hours are unpredictable.

Many food banks, like those operated by Trussell Trust, do amazing work across the UK to provide food to so many who find themselves in need of urgent assistance. We at CCDC work closely with local food banks. What they do is great and we should, where we can, support this work – check out trusselltrust.org.

A balanced diet

More generally for all of us, good nutrition is so important for how we live, work, play and, hopefully, thrive. We should ensure that our diet is balanced and regularly includes at least some of the food groups necessary to give our bodies what they need. 

Some of these are well known to us all, but it’s good to be reminded:

• Eat enough fruit and vegetables 
• Try to eat foods which are high in fibre
• Include dairy products or alternatives that provide protein, calcium and vitamins 
• Watch our sugar, salt and fat intake
• Drink plenty of fluids

Help is at hand

It can be a struggle to change our habits, but there are lots of trustworthy resources to help. The NHS Eatwell Guide tells us how much of what we eat overall should come from each food group to achieve a healthy, balanced diet. This doesn’t have to be with every meal – although it is recommended that we try to get the balance over a day or week.

Take a look at nhs.uk/live-well/eat-well to find out more.

It’s good to be reminded about the importance of good nutrition for our health and wellbeing. While it can be harder to implement, there’s lots of advice and guidance available. There are also some great, healthy recipes, for example, at bbc.co.uk/food. Why not try something new this month?

We’re all aware that the cost of living in the UK has risen significantly in recent months, with prices for energy and food at the highest we’ve seen in many years. But did you know the devastating impact this is having on low income households in particular? According to the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, the rise in costs could see those who are already struggling financially having to pay up to £700 more per year.

On top of this, many of the protections put in place to shield those on low incomes during the pandemic have now come to an end, including the vital £20 per week Universal Credit uplift. The reality is, with bills up and income down this Christmas, thousands across the UK will struggle to feed their families and heat their homes. So what can we do? Here are four ways you can help right now.

Donate to your local food bank

We’ve all seen the news about the growing level of child poverty in the UK and sadly the number of families relying on food banks right now is higher than ever. Find out where your nearest food bank is and how you can support them. If you’re not able to give financially, donations of non-perishable groceries and toiletries will most likely be welcome. Look out for donation baskets in your local supermarket, or take your items directly to the food bank.

Check on your neighbours

Through our work at CCDC, we know that debt and poverty can be an isolating experience. Many people feel ashamed or embarrassed about their situation and are reluctant to ask for help. It’s important to check in on those in your community who may be particularly vulnerable, and encourage them to seek the support they need sooner rather than later.

Write to your MP

While we can all do our bit to help, this is a problem that needs to be prioritised by those in power. By writing to your local MP, you can draw attention to the injustices you’re seeing in your community and urge them to speak up on your behalf. If you can, why not arrange a face-to-face meeting with your MP and have a conversation about poverty concerns in your area?

Provide families with emergency food and fuel

This year, CCDC’s National Christmas appeal is raising funds to enable local churches nationally to deliver emergency support to families and individuals in desperate need. £45 could provide a single adult with an emergency food shop, £115 could feed a family of four, and £60 could help heat someone’s home with an emergency fuel top-up. Together we can make sure families won’t go cold or hungry this Christmas..

Here in Colchester, we are raising funds to give clients hampers and children gifts. You can read more here.