Food in hospital

The patient meal service

Across Fife all of our hospitals have a three week menu cycle allowing us to offer you a combination of traditional main meals and lighter snack options.

Each day you will be offered breakfast with tea/coffee, fruit juice, porridge or cereal, bread, toast or rolls.

For lunch and evening meal we offer a two or three course meal depending on your nutritional requirements. This could be a combination of soup, a hot main meal with sides and a hot or cold dessert. We also offer sandwiches, salads and baked potatoes with fillings.

Dishes are coded to support you to choose the most suitable options.

• ED - energy dense, contain more calories. These options are better for patients that have small appetites or need to gain weight.
• w indicates healthier choices. These dishes are lower in calories, fat and sugar. They are suitable for patients who wish to eat healthily, have diabetes, are following a lower fat diet or are trying to lose weight.
• E - easy chew choices are available for patients requiring foods that are easier to chew. This includes everyday foods that are soft/tender.
• V - all of our main menus also include a vegetarian option. 

Many patients require a specific diet for medical, cultural, religious or other reasons. We provide a range of alternatives including:

• Renal
• Low Fibre
• Vegan
• Halal
• Allergen free including gluten free
• Texture modified diet for patients with difficulties chewing and swallowing

This list is not exhaustive and on admission ward staff will ask if you have any specific dietary requirements and will also ask about your likes and dislikes. In addition the catering team are available to visit the ward and discuss any requirements you have.

We also have a menu for children and young people at the Victoria Hospital Kirkcaldy.

Ordering meals

The ward staff will let you know how to order your meals in your ward. You will be able to order your meal by:

1. Choosing your meal in advance from a menu card. If you need assistance staff will support you to pick a choice from the menu.
2. In other wards you may be asked  to choose from a selection of meals available at time of service.

Assistance with eating & drinking 

Nursing staff will check to see if you require help with eating and drinking. They can help you to cut up food and open packets or they can assist you directly with eating and drinking if you need more support.

Bringing food into hospital

It is important to check with ward staff before bringing food into hospital. All food should be pre packaged and labelled with your name and the date it was brought in.

Suitable foods include pre-wrapped cakes, biscuits and sweets, fresh (pre-washed) fruit or dried fruit, sealed packets of crisps and other savoury snacks. Drinks should be in a plastic container (no alcohol).

Home cooked meals, takeaways and foods that need reheated or stored in a fridge should not be brought in due to risk of cross contamination, food poisoning or misuse in line with food safety law.