Successful Incorporation of a Plant-Based Menu Into a Large Academic Hospital

Abstract

Unhealthy food choices and poor diet have a significant impact on development and progression of cardiovascular disease. Further, plant-based diets have been shown to mitigate cardiovascular risk factors and improve the health status of patients with cardiovascular disease. Currently, hospitals spend substantial healthcare dollars on food expenditures for inpatient services and recent pushes by the American Heart Association (AHA) and American College of Cardiology (ACC) encourage predominantly or full plant-based diets. The University of Florida has been one of the first institutions to incorporate a fully plant-based menu offering to their inpatient population. Herein, we discuss the program instituted at UF, the challenges faced while making this institutional change, and our solutions to these obstacles. The success of our plant-based initiative can serve as a foundation for other healthcare institutions to incorporate plant-based menu programs.

Attitudes of hospital patients regarding removal of processed and unprocessed red meats from menus to support sustainable healthcare targets: A single‐centre survey

“…The University of Florida Hospital was one of the first to incorporate a fully plant-based menu option for their inpatients. 19 Their patients expressed surprise about the flavour of the meals and how filling they were. The plant-based menu had a slightly higher cost when compared to regular hospital meals but given the long-term benefit if maintained and the overall reduction in readmissions, this was thought to be a cost that could be mitigated.…”

“…Other hospitals across the globe have also taken similar action. The University of Florida Hospital was one of the first to incorporate a fully plant‐based menu option for their inpatients 19 . Their patients expressed surprise about the flavour of the meals and how filling they were.…”

From Prophecy to Plate: How to Actualize a Planetary Menu for Kidney Disease Nutrition

“… 78 Plant-based menus have been successfully implemented in large acute care settings with success, such as in the United States. 78 , 79 Specifically, a plant-based menu including fruit, vegetables, beans, lentils, and whole grains resulted in increased patient satisfaction, lowered costs, and higher nutritional quality of the meals. 78 , 79 Food waste was reduced by freezing the meals and using menu items that are simple to assemble, and aligned with patient preferences, with a sample menu provided by the authors.…”

“… 78 , 79 Food waste was reduced by freezing the meals and using menu items that are simple to assemble, and aligned with patient preferences, with a sample menu provided by the authors. 78 , 79 …”

Placing a Well-Designed Vegan Diet for Slovenes

“…However, the gradual wider adoption of a vegan diet in official medicine is also reflected in the news from Wayne State University School of Medicine's Detroit School of Medicine, which prescribes a mandatory four-week whole-food plant-based nutrition education for medical students that also includes interactive cooking presentations [311]. In addition to this encouraging information, the University of Florida's Shands Hospital is one of the first healthcare institutions in the United States that provide vegan meal options in inpatient settings (five different options for breakfast, three for lunch, three for dinner and additional chef specialties (e.g., patients also receive educational materials about the role of diet and lifestyle choices and their impact on chronic illnesses) [312], followed by a number of hospitals in the United States that have started inpatient 100% vegan menus [313].…”