Nutrition and hydration are fundamental to health, yet many people go without reliable access to nutritious food. This is particularly true for people experiencing homelessness.
In partnership with University College London, British Dietetic Association and Pathway, FEAST identified a major gap in research on the nutrition status among people living in temporary accommodation. In response, we carried out a study exploring the nutritional status of people experiencing homelessness across London. The study – the first of its kind – highlights the nutritional challenges faced by this population and helps demonstrate why nutrition support is so important.
Research Scope
The research involved visiting 18 hostels across seven London boroughs, working with almost 200 residents living in temporary accommodation. Participants completed assessments looking at food access, dietary intake, physical health, and mental wellbeing.
The aim was not simply to measure what people were eating, but also to understand the barriers that people face when trying to eat well, recognising that a person’s nutrition is shaped by many factors including housing conditions, financial constraints, and access to facilities.
Participants also shared their own experiences of food access during the research. As one resident explained:
“I know my diet is rubbish, but there is nothing I can do to fix it, try as I might.”
Nutrition Without Stable Housing
The research revealed significant levels of food insecurity.
Over half of participants experienced low or very low food security, despite 44% living in catered hostels. In other words, simply having accommodation with food provision does not necessarily guarantee reliable access to nutritious meals.
Some participants reported skipping meals or going entire days without eating, often due to a lack of money, inconsistent food provision, or limited access to cooking facilities. Compared with the general population, participants were almost eight times more likely to go a full day without eating.
These challenges highlight an important point: nutrition problems in this context are often about access, rather than a lack of knowledge or motivation.
What Diets Often Look Like
The research also revealed patterns of dietary intake.
77% of participants consumed less than one portion of fruit or vegetables per day, far below national dietary recommendations. Diets were often low in fibre, protein, vitamins and minerals, while sugary foods and drinks were more commonly consumed.
This pattern is not surprising when we consider the environments people are navigating. Many participants faced barriers such as limited money, lack of cooking facilities, limited food storage, reliance on donated food, and difficulty transporting groceries.
As another participant shared:
“I’d absolutely love to cook for myself… There is no kitchen space here and I wouldn’t risk taking donated fish even if it was going.”
These structural barriers play a major role in shaping diet quality.
Nutrition and Health Inequalities
Nutrition is closely linked to overall health outcomes.
The study found that 60% of participants were malnourished, while around half reported moderate to severe anxiety or depression.
Many people experiencing homelessness also face what is known as trimorbidity – the coexistence of poor physical health, mental illness and substance dependence. Poor nutrition can make these conditions harder to manage, reinforcing cycles of ill health and inequality.
One participant reflected on the emotional impact of this:
“I’m ashamed that my diet isn’t what it should be… it really impacts my sense of wellbeing more than I’d like to acknowledge.”
Why is This Important During Nutrition and Hydration Week
We highlight this research during Nutrition and Hydration Week, because it reminds us that food is about more than calories. Nutrition supports health, dignity, and wellbeing.
Yet access to nutritious food remains deeply unequal.
At FEAST, we believe everyone should have the opportunity to enjoy nourishing meals and adequate hydration. Food is not a luxury. It is a matter of dignity, equity, and health. Through community meals, partnerships, and research like this, we work to improve access to nutritious food, while raising awareness of the barriers many people face.
We created an Impact Report to share key findings in an accessible way: FULL IMPACT REPORT
For those who want to dive deeper, please see our study abstract and graphical abstract or the full research paper.
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Written by Nadia Gerber