“PRACTICE WHAT YOU PREACH.”
Isn’t that what they say? I’m pretty sure I’ve heard that at least a few times. However, as we often find out, there are many people who often fall short of these high expectations. The disheartening fact about this world is that there are many disingenuous people who live this type of hypocritical lifestyle. Don’t begin pointing fingers, though. At times, we’ve all been guilty.
I would expect a hospital, on the other hand, to “practice what they preach.” But we find this isn’t always the case, either. Staying overnight (patient or visitor) in a hospital can prove to be an adventure when it comes to finding adequate food. Whether it’s a Jell-O square or mystery meat from the vending machine, McDonald’s almost always seems like the better option. And yeah, don’t even get me started on the fact that there are fast food restaurants INSIDE hospitals.
My point being, when doctors are preaching healthy food options, why are they not offering them for patients and guests?
Good news… Healthier options are on the way!
Many hospitals around the country are beginning to add healthier snacks to their options for patients and visitors. A patient doesn’t have the opportunity to run out for a quick snack and the visitors don’t want to step away for very long, so this solution makes sense for everyone. You no longer have to leave the hospital to have a quick and healthy chow.
According to a US News article, many hospitals are beginning to remove fryers from their operations while renovating their salad bar with many new, exciting, and healthy options. The entire goal for these operations is to raise awareness on the effects of living an unhealthy lifestyle and promote healthy food options that are going to help people live an improved lifestyle.
Not only are many hospitals doing away with the fryers, but several hospitals across the country are taking the extra step to implement fast-food-like restaurants that will offer up healthy options. To go along with the restaurants, hospitals are beginning to add healthy grab-and-go stands like the Lunch Box Café at Fulton County Medical Center in McConnellsburg, Pennsylvania. The healthy food stand offers several options that are designed to get you in and out quickly. Everything from flatbread pizza and sandwiches to healthy smoothies and fresh fruit, the one-stop shop is designed to provide you with your healthy option as quick as possible.
You may not often think about the food options that are provided to nurses on the night shift or the doctors who are on-call, but they have to eat too. In the past, there hasn’t been a lot to choose from. Of the healthy variety, that is. These grab-and-go stations give nurses and doctors alike a chance to have a quick, healthy snack between patient visits that they otherwise wouldn’t have.
Are hospitals beginning to practice what they preach? I’ll let you be the judge. But if you want to know my opinion, I think they are on their way to making a big difference in the lives of their patients and visitors by simply offering a healthier option. You never know when you can change someone’s habits just by offering new opportunities.
If you have any questions or comments, give us a call at (812) 277-1499 or email us at contactus@espyservices.com and we would be happy to talk with you.
As always, thanks for reading. Have a wonderful day and enjoy yourself.
Written by Trey Turner – TTurner@EspyServices.com
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