Hospital Foods: Yummy Or Ewwy?

Hospitals may seem scary for most people, kids and some adults. But it’s not only the ambiance that gets them, even patients are screaming for good food.

Health is the main reason for being in hospitals. You are confined and get treated to feel better and improve your health. It is the main goal of hospitals, to provide health care. But throughout the years, views and opinions about hospital foods have never changed. Hospitals provide food for the patients, of which carefully chosen according to the patient’s eating abilities and health needs. But hospitals are known to provide foods which are often termed as unappetizing and unappealing. This truth sucks for most hospitals that could not get healthy and delicious foods together. Of course, not all hospitals are like this, but most are.

Most hospital foods spell “green.” Hospital foods are nutritious, no doubt about it. It’s difficult to see lots of hospital foods which have gone to waste because patients are not interested in eating them. The meats are often dry, the veggies are bland, of course with the famous jelly etc. etc. I wonder what are the standards for hospital foods? Is it that the food choices are made for health reasons only? In reality, most hospital foods are inexpensive. But a cheap price should not only mean a cheap quality. There are foods in the market which are inexpensive yet healthy. Maybe hospitals should be hiring dietitians who are also chefs that could provide a good menu for patients to enjoy during their stay.

It’s sad to say that hospital food let patient’s down. No one’s actually expecting a good treat while being confined within the 4 walls of the hospital room for a couple of days. Hospitals should not be perceived like this. I salute hospitals that are trying to do some revamp on their menus. This, actually let these hospitals save on some money by not wasting that much food because patients get and consume foods which they have paid for along with the confinement. The more appetizing and healthy the treats are, the more money you save. Hospital foods should look fresh and inviting, not depressing. It’s a place to rehabilitate and improve and not to be discouraged. Hospitals should understand how the patient feels about the food that they serve and actually do something about it.

Hospital foods are categorized according to every patient’s needs. It is a must for hospitals. You can’t give a very salty meal to a patient who is having a kidney problem, or too much sweet treats to patients with diabetes, and so on and so forth. I’m not saying you should provide everything the patient wants. The point is, foods should be enjoyed by a patient, and not scare him/her away. People need to eat right to be healthy. But healthy foods do not mean disregarding the taste and the presentation.

This is the time that hospitals should do something about the situation and take away its old reputation of serving dull foods to its patients. There are ways to make food look and taste good without having to spend so much money to add to the overhead costs.