We are fortunate to
live in a country where we have a vast array of food choices on a daily
basis. Whether we make healthy choices or unhealthy choices is entirely
up to the individual. Being in the hospital is a different matter.
Depending on the nature of their illness oftentimes patients do not have
as many choices as they would prefer. A regular diet offers more
flexibility; however the hospital food service department prepares food
according to the Guidelines for Healthy Americans that eliminates the
use of salt and added oil in food preparation. This may contribute to
the fact that nationwide results of patient satisfaction questionnaires
have indicated a general dislike for "hospital food." Is hospital food
getting a bad rap?
Patients must
understand that a special diet means just that. At home, the patient is
accustomed to "cheating" just a little and sometimes a lot. Perhaps a
little more salt here and an extra teaspoon of butter on those
vegetables. That potato just doesnąt taste right without a big dollop of
sour cream. All these little extras we Americans have grown use to are
the extras that are eliminated when you are on a special diet. Our taste
palettes have a difficult time adapting to the new taste sensations of a
restricted diet. There are many addictions which we can acquire such as
smoking, alcohol, chocolate, etc.; but the hardest addiction of all
one related to our basic need for existence is perhaps the
most difficult to deal with.
This staff of 16 full
time and 2 relief employees provide meals for inpatients at Southwest
Memorial Hospital, residents of Vista Grande Care Center, hospital
employees and visitors. The hospital served over 160,000 meals during
2003. In addition the department is called upon to provide catering for
special events such as board meetings, medical staff meetings, employee
picnics, open houses, nursing home Christmas parties, and hospital week
activities. Invariably a hospital special event involves the preparation
of food. While the rest of the staff can slip away from their job to
enjoy the festivities, the dietary staff is always working behind the
scenes preparing delectable treats for the enjoyment of everyone
else.
Nutrition education is
an important part of the departmental function. Registered Dietitians
provide numerous services including outpatient nutrition
counseling. There is also a monthly Diabetic Support Group that
meets on the second Tuesday of each month at 6:00 P.M. in the Hospital
Cafeteria.
If you have concerns
about heart disease, cholesterol, blood pressure, weight control,
diabetes, pregnancy, or other conditions, you can take steps to change
the way you eat and live a healthier lifestyle. Counseling services are
provided on an outpatient basis. The SWMH registered dietitians can
arrange an individual appointment by calling 564-2273, between the
hours of 8:00 A.M. and 5:00 P.M.
