Information and tools for building a routine during wartime.

Healthy Nutrition in Emergency

Even during difficult times, we should remember that healthy nutrition is important and contributes to our physical and mental resilience.

Basic needs

The most important thing is to take care of our basic needs as much as possible: sleep, showering, and nutrition. It is important to eat and drink throughout the day to grow stronger. It is really important that we drink plenty of water throughout the day and eat regular and diverse meals.
Every form of physical activity can be helpful. Even a 10-minute walk around the block should do the trick. Even meditation, breathing exercises, and yoga can help us relax.

Changes in appetite

During such times, we may feel either a lack of appetite or an increased appetite, both among us adults and especially among the children. It is important that we do not go too hard on ourselves and understand that these reactions are normal and typical in times of stress and anxiety.

If we feel that we are unable to eat anything at all or can only eat one meal a day, we should try to eat such things as some rich soup, some shakes, or some porridge that may be more suitable for us. We should try to eat together with others and more small meals frequently (about every two hours).

It is important that we monitor our appetite so we do not stay in this situation for too long. If we feel that we are unable to cope with this, we will seek help from professionals.

Some of us may prefer food that is rich in carbohydrates and sugar that releases dopamine that improves our mood for a bit and gives us a sense of relaxation. However, this relaxation is only temporary, and soon the body demands more sugar. We should be mindful of this cycle and listen to our body's signals to better cope with this need. If we eat regular and diverse meals, we could cope better.

Eat Healthy on Efhsarinbari (the Ministry of Health's website on active and healthy living)

Healthy Nutrition as Reinforcement for Children's Spirits During Wartime

Nutritional counseling

We should seek counseling if we or our family members are unable to cope alone. If we are unable to acquire food, if our medical condition requires certain foods that we have no access to, if we experience dramatic changes in our desire to eat, extreme fatigue, lightheadedness, nausea or vomiting, falling for no apparent reason, and so on.

Nutritional counseling in the HMOs

The HMOs offer personal nutritional counseling appointments (either in person or over the phone or by Zoom). You may want to visit the website or the application of your HMO or call the HMO's hotlines to schedule an appointment.

Nutritional counseling about medical food

With regard to task-specific medical food for older adults, children, and babies, you should contact the HMOs' hotlines and the specific contacts:

Nutritional counseling for babies and toddlers

Families who require nutritional counseling for babies or toddlers may call the Family Care Center Hotline and talk to a nutritionist specializing in young children.

Tel *5400 or 08-6241010—extension 2, then extension 9

Sun-Thu 08:00-21:00, Fri and Holiday Eves 08:00-13:00

Further information about Tipat Halav's hotline

Breastfeeding

If you are a breastfeeding mother, it is important that you try to continue to breastfeed even during emergency situations. Breastfeeding is so important for your baby. It prevents diseases and relieves stress.
Further information about breastfeeding during an emergency
If your baby is eating baby formula, you should continue to feed them as normal, according to their age.

Parents and Parenting Website

Mother's Milk Bank

Due to the emergency, the National Mother's Milk Bank is allowing for donation of mother's milk units to babies who require them.
Further information about the National Mothers' Milk Bank  (Hebrew)

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