Published on: 8th November 2017
LPFT is creating a recipe book to promote healthy cooking as an important part of staying well, but also to raise money for the Trust's charitable funds.
Studies have shown that good nutrition is just as important for good mental health as it is for physical health, and healthy eating in particular can have a big impact on people’s mental wellbeing. Lincolnshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust (LPFT) is creating a recipe book to promote healthy cooking as an important part of staying well, but also to raise money for our Charitable Funds.
We are looking for recipes to be submitted by Christmas and all of the recipes will be tried out by a panel of service users and carers who will cook and taste the recipes themselves.
Many service users talk about the struggles they face with cooking healthy meals, particularly on a small budget, so the recipe book will be full of simple to cook main meals that can be delivered on a budget.
Jay who suffers with a long term, complex mental health problem said that he finds it difficult to motivate himself to cook healthy when other foods are so convenient.
I know I’m supposed to eat healthily but finding the motivation and money to go out and buy ingredients for a nutritious recipe is really hard. When I’m feeling unwell I find it really difficult to concentrate on recipes and what they are telling me to do, so it’s often easier to grab something quick and easy like a ready meal or snack.
The medication I’m on for my illness also makes me really hungry and I often crave carbs like bread and pasta. I know however that I always feel loads better when I’ve eaten something good. It’s surprising how much happier it can make you feel and how much more energy and get up and go you have.
We need your help to make this recipe book a success and are looking for people to submit their easy, cheap and quick healthy recipes that could be included.
The criteria for submitting is:
- It must be healthy – not too much sugar, fat or salt
- It must be able to be prepared on a tight budget
- It must be simple to prepare
- It needs to be original or adapted enough to not be copying other people’s work
The recipes must be submitted to communicationslpft@lpft.nhs.uk or sent to the Communications team, Trust Headquarters, St George’s, Long Leys Road, Lincoln, LN1 1FS by Friday 22nd December.
Please include with your recipe details about ingredients used and amounts, how you make it and your name and contact details so we can let you know if your recipe will be included.
The cook book will be launched as part of Mental Health Awareness Week in May 2018. All proceeds from the book will go to LPFT Charitable Funds.
LPFT’s Charitable Funds is an independent and dedicated charity that plays a vital role in supporting the local NHS to make a difference to service user care. It funds innovative projects to enhance services and facilities that would otherwise not be funded by the NHS.
