Nutrition and Hydration Week
Nutrition and Hydration Week 2026: celebrating the power of food and drink
Nutrition and Hydration Week is an annual event with a shared objective to highlight, promote and celebrate improvements in the provision of nutrition and hydration locally, nationally and globally. First established in 2012, this year’s event, running from 16-22 March, encourages organisations and individuals to share ideas and good practice.
The week-long event is largely targeted at those working in health and social care due to the significant impact malnutrition can have on patients and residents.
Why are nutrition and hydration so important?
Malnutrition is rife in health and social care settings, affecting 35% of care home residents and 30% of hospital patients. This has resulted in astronomical costs for the Government – £23.5 billion in the UK which is 15% of the total expenditure for health and social care – because malnutrition has such a ripple effect on individuals’ health and wellbeing in so many ways, including:
- Increased risk of infections
- Poor wound healing
- Mental health decline
- Social isolation
- Increased frailty and falls
Additionally, risk of malnutrition increases with age. That’s because as we get older, our thirst reflex naturally declines which means that thirst is no longer a reliable indicator for dehydration. Added to this, for those who suffer with a cognitive impairment such as dementia or stroke, memory issues may play a part in either remembering to drink or even how to drink. Furthermore, reduced mobility and dexterity may make it harder for some older people to prepare a drink for themselves. These older people will require much more support with fluid intake.
What happens during Nutrition and Hydration Week?
Nutrition and Hydration week is backed by a team of professionals widely promoting:
- The 10 key characteristics for good nutritional care
- The minimum standards for good nutrition in all settings
- Protected mealtimes
- Nutrition and hydration practices
- Continued education and professional development.
Each day of the week has its own focus, designed to inspire activities and conversations around healthy eating and drinking. For 2026, the themes are:
Monday – Breakfast: “Start the week as you do your day”
A reminder of the importance of a balanced breakfast to provide energy and support concentration throughout the morning.
Tuesday – Snacky Tuesday
Exploring the role of nutritious snacks in maintaining energy levels and supporting dietary needs between meals.
Wednesday – Global Tea Party
The centrepiece of the week, bringing people together to share food, conversation and community.
Thursday – Thirsty Thursday
Highlighting the importance of hydration and encouraging people to think about fluid intake throughout the day.
Friday – Fishy Friday or Fruity Friday
A focus on nutrient-rich foods such as omega-3 rich fish or vitamin-packed fruits.
Saturday – Lazy Start Saturday (Brunch)
Celebrating relaxed dining and social mealtimes.
Sunday – Smoothie Sunday
Encouraging creative and nutritious blended drinks to finish the week on a healthy note.
These themed days provide simple, engaging ways for care settings to raise awareness and encourage positive eating and drinking habits.
Supporting better nutrition in care catering
For care and healthcare settings, the week is also a chance to highlight how catering plays a crucial role in supporting health outcomes for residents and patients:
- Download the Nutrition and Hydration Week handbook – full of ideas, tips and practical advice on how to make your week a huge success!
- Caterers can also subscribe to Nutrition and Hydration Week newsletter for inspiration.
- We also recommend following Nutrition and Hydration Week on social channels, where content is posted weekly to support the event
- Caterers can access a variety of resources including posters, recipes, templates and pledge cards.
Other ideas include:
Designing menus that balance nutrition, flavour and choice
Offering appealing hydration options throughout the day – you can find more ideas here
Supporting specialist dietary requirements such as dysphagia or dementia
Creating positive dining environments that encourage people to eat and drink well
Sharing best practice and new ideas across teams
Through thoughtful procurement, menu planning and operational support, catering teams can help ensure that nutrition and hydration remain central to the meal provision for your residents.
Nutrition & Hydration Week continues to grow every year as more organisations recognise the importance of good nutrition and hydration. By bringing people together and sharing ideas, the week helps reinforce the vital role food and drink play in supporting health, wellbeing and quality of life.
Whether through a shared tea party, creative menu ideas, or simply encouraging your residents to drink a little more water, small actions can make a big difference.
For more information on Nutrition and Hydration Week, click here.
