Hospital food

[jelliebean9]

Well I'm still in hospital cardiac room day4 post double bypass . I have tried so many different foods for breakfast lunch and dinner,,,,, mainly because I have no appetite and waiting for something that sits well with me .

The menu is amazing and could easily be from a top restraunt .

Apart from cereal and fresh fruit the rest of the food is amass with gorgeous rich sauces. Strong cheeses and pounds of sugar laden desserts ,

The menu is probably for the whole hospital and I'm sure is really appreaceated but no real healthy choices. Something that needs a mention I think. What do others think??

SJ

[stevejb1810]

You would think that there would be some 'healthy' options but in reality you having burger and chips, or sweet desserts (or whatever you are tempted by) is going to make almost zero difference for the time you are in hospital - you did all the damage before you got there. You are correct in that the menu is there for the entire hospital, not just cardiology, and one of the major concerns is that people in hospital stop eating (you will have heard of malnutrition issues in hospital, no doubt) so there is an emphasis on making sure people eat - and to do that they have wide ranging menus that will appeal to the majority.

You are fortunate if your hospital food is good - it is not always the case. I certainly could not say that was my experience in Basildon (I did provide that feedback at the time) but on the otherhand the food in Harlow was excellent - I put on weight while I was there! Incidentally, the heavy rich sauces strongly suggests the food is likely 'boil in a bag'.

[jelliebean9 in reply to stevejb1810]

Deffinatly not boil in the bag here Steve

[Rosei in reply to jelliebean9]

The hospital I use ( if I have to ) is a foundation hospital, Chesterfield, the food is cooked in Wales overnight, ready for serving when it arrives.

[jelliebean9 in reply to Rosei]

So nothing cooked on site. Just heated ?

[Rosei in reply to jelliebean9]

The food comes in heated cabinets. Breakfast is porridge, cooked on the premises, cereal, toast, choice of brown or white, that's it.

[Rosei in reply to Rosei]

Forgot to mention, salads come in cold cabinets.

[Chappychap]

I believe the NHS hospital meal budget is about £3.50 per person per day, on that basis they work miracles!

[stevejb1810 in reply to Chappychap]

I agree - its not a job I'd want!

[Chappychap]

I think the OP is in a private hospital (?), if so it's no surprise the food's scrumptious.

A private hospital uses the same doctors, surgeons, nurses, medication, procedures, etc as the NHS. So the three main reasons they can find paying customers when there's a free alternative are; no waiting, private rooms, and better food!

[jelliebean9 in reply to Chappychap]

😊 ,,, I am very lucky to have all this wonderful care even if I can't really enjoy the scrumptious meals chappychap.

[Ianc2]

Tell them you have a wheat intolerance.

[sturon]

Just a couple of practice things to suggest. Ask the sister or senior nurse if you can talk to a Matron and or a dietitian. As a previous chief executive of an NHS hospital I always valued feedback. If you make an observation about something it is always important to deal with it at the time. As stevejb1810 says it will make no real difference to you, but the hospital should be setting the standard and a health option should always be available.

All the best for a fast recovery.

[jelliebean9 in reply to sturon]

I will mention this to somone before I leave good idea

Thank you

SJ

[Deanosbeano]

Haven't they kicked you out yet ? Or wasnt you on the fast track ?

Got too admit I loved the menu and went for the dirty food very meal and felt guilty :).

I guess you need some bad fats and minerals and they measure your bloods daily so they feel you ain't going to suffer from the 5 days or so you stay .

I was asked if I could go home on the 4th day but it was cheese pie chips and beans the next day so I started one more .

[Janma123]

Following hubby’s HA and stroke last year he really struggled with eating and didn’t fancy anything that was on offer in hospital - the food was lovely but not he could not face it. Eventually I took in fresh sandwiches from the bakery nearby at lunchtime and a fish supper / pizza and salad / Chinese takeaway / hot roast chicken and we ate it together. Not always the healthy option but at least he was eating and it stopped him being nagged at to eat!

For the short while most people are in hospital an appealing menu is surely better than one that is ‘healthy!

[invictaAlec]

They do a great jam roly poly and custard at St Thomas' in London and the roast beef and two veg was surprisingly good as well. I could have done without the triple bypass surgery though ☺

After all the great care I had I certainly wouldn't nit pick the menu for not being up to cordon bleu standards!

Alec.

[jelliebean9 in reply to invictaAlec]

Quite agree care and outcome is much more important . I can have my new healthy choices when back home

Take care

SJ

[jimmyq]

I was admitted to the Coronary Care Unit one day. By the time they got me settled I had missed lunch and tea. The care assistant offered me some toast. When it came the butter was drippinf off it. I had to laugh.

[jelliebean9]

Ok so this does kinda make sence now . And no need to feel guilty not eating low fat for 6 weeks

[jelliebean9]

Oh wanted to upload a picture ???

[jelliebean9]

So what they are saying here is we need to get better & need energy to do this . Good tasty food for not so good appetites for the next 6 weeks recommended

😁

SJ

[Alison_L in reply to jelliebean9]

Yes, that's exactly what I was told when I spent 5 days in Croydon and 18 days in St George's last year!

[jelliebean9 in reply to Alison_L]

Did make me chuckle when I first looked at menus though.

Take care

SJ