Hospitals are institutions founded solely on the principle of wellness, most do an excellent job at this except for in one category and that is the food. When one thinks about hospital food they think about things such as mashed potatoes jello and country fried steak. These food items leave a lot to be desired when it comes to nutritional value, and with some hospital food courts boasting establishments such as McDonald's and Chick-fil-A, it is probably prudent to take a closer look at exactly how healthy hospital food really is. American obesity is on the rise and now more than ever it is important for hospitals to set a good example of what good nutrition looks like. Not only should hospital food be healthy to set a good example, but providing
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Also, it is important to note that hospital food has a long reputation for being not up to par. In studies dating between the 1980’s and the early 2000’s it was shown that it was not at all uncommon for patients to be in poor health because of the food they ate while admitted, even some were to the point of malnutrition. In a 2013 report by the American Medical Association Journal of Ethics, one board member spoke out about their concerns on the issue, saying: “I believe that it is simply unethical to be serving patients’ families, visitors and our staff members the unhealthy food that is currently being sold in this institution. It is our responsibility as a health-promoting organization to foster all aspects of health. The hospital is a role model for our visitors and staff, and we must set high-quality standards when it comes to our nutritional offerings” ( Axe ). Regrettably, other people in positions of power disagree, calling it, not something the hospitals should worry about, and state that the fiscal weight of the service needed to serve people the type of foods they should get to be healthy is too burdensome for the hospitals and that their money is better …show more content…
Although many hospitals have options such as beans, mashed potatoes, fruits and veggies that fit the bill for those who choose a vegan or vegetarian lifestyle, institutions often lack the type of food that provides any significant nutritional value for those who are limited by an already limited dietary system. Although the latest studies show that more and more hospitals are providing a la carte menus for people who might be vegetarian or vegan ( Crane
Also, it is important to note that hospital food has a long reputation for being not up to par. In studies dating between the 1980’s and the early 2000’s it was shown that it was not at all uncommon for patients to be in poor health because of the food they ate while admitted, even some were to the point of malnutrition. In a 2013 report by the American Medical Association Journal of Ethics, one board member spoke out about their concerns on the issue, saying: “I believe that it is simply unethical to be serving patients’ families, visitors and our staff members the unhealthy food that is currently being sold in this institution. It is our responsibility as a health-promoting organization to foster all aspects of health. The hospital is a role model for our visitors and staff, and we must set high-quality standards when it comes to our nutritional offerings” ( Axe ). Regrettably, other people in positions of power disagree, calling it, not something the hospitals should worry about, and state that the fiscal weight of the service needed to serve people the type of foods they should get to be healthy is too burdensome for the hospitals and that their money is better …show more content…
Although many hospitals have options such as beans, mashed potatoes, fruits and veggies that fit the bill for those who choose a vegan or vegetarian lifestyle, institutions often lack the type of food that provides any significant nutritional value for those who are limited by an already limited dietary system. Although the latest studies show that more and more hospitals are providing a la carte menus for people who might be vegetarian or vegan ( Crane