Hospital Food

Lady_Grell · May 2015

Tomorrow, I have to go to the hospital, and I'll tell you right now that I'm scared. I have to have rather major hernia surgery. The surgeon is going to cut through the muscles on my right side, install a large piece of mesh that will be anchored with screws to my hip and my ribs. This is dangerous because I had a kidney transplant last August and the hernia is close to the same area. I will be in the hospital for probably a week and limited in exercise for 2 months. Here's my problem - hospital food. I'll be alone so I can't order out, and I'll be limited in my choices. I'll do my best to look foods up, but without recipes it's guesswork at best. Plus, I've learned from experience that the size portions are way off and I won't be exercising to make up for extra calories. I've learned with logging more about portions, so I'll do my best to eat reasonable portions and log it the best I can. I know I have to balance eating enough to recover while still keeping the amounts reasonable so I can continue with my weight loss (25 lbs lost so far - woohoo!). Any other suggestions or am I doing about all I can do.

Jasmunr · May 2015

Honestly my guess just from the two surgeries I've had, and I could be wrong, but you will probably not eat much anyway. But perhaps by the end of the week you will be up to it so good luck. Just guess. I don't know about how it is at hospitals there but here everything is portioned in accordance to health Canada's food guidelines so I couldn't see it being to difficult. Good luck with your surgery

zoeysasha37 · May 2015

I think that you've already covered everything that can done. It's going to be a rough estimate since someone else will be preparing the foods. Maybe the hospital will have calorie counts listed?( I have no idea but it can't hurt to ask anyway just encase) just do your best and concentrate on recovery. best of luck to you! I can imagine how scared you must be. Hugs!

earlnabby · May 2015

Good luck to you with your surgery. If you are having abdominal surgery (even if it is mostly the muscular layer), you will probably be on a liquid diet for part of the time. Think of this as a time to test maintenance. I would say eat what you can for recovery and don't worry too much about actual weight loss until you get back home and can get back to regular meal schedule.

Lady_Grell · May 2015

I think I'm supposed to be on a liquid diet for two days, and that part doesn't bother me too much. I'm going to be at University of Kentucky hospital, and their meals are rather large. I remember one meal was a huge chunk of lasagna, salad, and a piece of chocolate cake. Yummy, but I don't want to even think about all the calories. I'm just trying my best. I know the cafeteria in the hospital has calorie counts, so maybe I could just ask to see if their regular meals do as well.

livingleanlivingclean · May 2015

Lady_Grell wrote: »

I think I'm supposed to be on a liquid diet for two days, and that part doesn't bother me too much. I'm going to be at University of Kentucky hospital, and there meals are rather large. I remember one meal was a huge chunk of lasagna, salad, and a piece of chocolate cake. Yummy, but I don't want to even think about all the calories. I'm just trying my best. I know the cafeteria in the hospital has calorie counts, so maybe I could just ask to see if their regular meals do as well.

Just because it's there doesn't mean you need to eat it! If you think there's too much temptation, perhaps ask for another plate or tray and remove some of the components so you don't eat them?

Perhaps you could request a certain calorie amount? Surely there's patients with specific calorie needs that need to be met, is that something you could ask about?

earlnabby · May 2015

Lady_Grell wrote: »

I think I'm supposed to be on a liquid diet for two days, and that part doesn't bother me too much. I'm going to be at University of Kentucky hospital, and there meals are rather large. I remember one meal was a huge chunk of lasagna, salad, and a piece of chocolate cake. Yummy, but I don't want to even think about all the calories. I'm just trying my best. I know the cafeteria in the hospital has calorie counts, so maybe I could just ask to see if their regular meals do as well.

When you check in, can you request a consult with a hospital dietician to plan your meals while you are there? They should have access to all of the nutrition information about the food available and make suggestions based on your calorie target and the surgeon's post-op instructions. Of course the big thing would be if insurance would pay for the consult.

macgurlnet · May 2015

I wish you all the best with your surgery!

I think you have a good game plan

Might be worth talking to the nurse(s) about the food, maybe see if you can have extra veggies in place of some other side, depending on what's being served that day. Hopefully the food is fairly yummy

You might see an increase in weight once all is said and done, from the food and/or the procedure. Embrace the number! Take pride in your progress so far and remind yourself that you're doing all of this for your overall health. A small pop upwards doesn't completely ruin anything up to this point. It may seem like a setback initially but as long as you stick with what you've been doing, you'll keep moving forward.

Good luck! You've got this

~Lyssa

Lady_Grell · May 2015

Oh, I don't eat it because it's there. I actually will limit myself, but I was just using that as an example that I know the calories are off. I'm trying to stay around 1500, although I have been under that lately due to nerves. I do have a dietician there because of my kidney transplant. I might be able to talk to her, and I'll ask about keeping to my calorie goals.

earlnabby · May 2015

Last time I was in the hospital, I left 10 lb lighter. Of course, this was helped by the fact that I went in with edema and severe anemia and I was put on a diuretic and a clear liquid diet to prep for an endoscopy and colonoscopy to see where I was bleeding from. Not only did I lose weight, but I got to check out a cleanse (never again, until it is time for my routine screening colonoscopy again)

TavistockToad · May 2015

Lady_Grell wrote: »

Tomorrow, I have to go to the hospital, and I'll tell you right now that I'm scared. I have to have rather major hernia surgery. The surgeon is going to cut through the muscles on my right side, install a large piece of mesh that will be anchored with screws to my hip and my ribs. This is dangerous because I had a kidney transplant last August and the hernia is close to the same area. I will be in the hospital for probably a week and limited in exercise for 2 months. Here's my problem - hospital food. I'll be alone so I can't order out, and I'll be limited in my choices. I'll do my best to look foods up, but without recipes it's guesswork at best. Plus, I've learned from experience that the size portions are way off and I won't be exercising to make up for extra calories. I've learned with logging more about portions, so I'll do my best to eat reasonable portions and log it the best I can. I know I have to balance eating enough to recover while still keeping the amounts reasonable so I can continue with my weight loss (25 lbs lost so far - woohoo!). Any other suggestions or am I doing about all I can do.

Eat at maintenance while you're in hospital and recovering

earlnabby · May 2015

Lady_Grell wrote: »

I do have a dietician there because of my kidney transplant. I might be able to talk to her, and I'll ask about keeping to my calorie goals.

That sounds like a great plan, but don't be surprised if she recommends eating closer to maintenance in order to fuel the healing.

Lady_Grell · May 2015

Thank you for wishing me luck.

At the very worst, it's going to be a week. Once I'm home, I can go back to weighing and measuring carefully. It's not like I can destroy everything so quickly. I'm just so thrilled because I've been really big in the past. At one point I was 245lbs. Today, I weighed in at 200lbs. I just want to see onderland and finally get out of the obese range. (Lost the last 25 here in the last 3 months!) I'm just nervous.

earlnabby · May 2015

Lady_Grell wrote: »

Thank you for wishing me luck. At the very worst, it's going to be a week. Once I'm home, I can go back to weighing and measuring carefully. It's not like I can destroy everything so quickly. I'm just so thrilled because I've been really big in the past. At one point I was 245lbs. Today, I weighed in at 200lbs. I just want to see onderland and finally get out of the obese range. (Lost the last 25 here in the last 3 months!) I'm just nervous.

Very understandable considering all you have been through already. Relax, discuss as much as you can with the nurses and dietician, and concentrate on healing fast so you can get back to your routine.

macgurlnet · May 2015

Lady_Grell wrote: »

Thank you for wishing me luck. At the very worst, it's going to be a week. Once I'm home, I can go back to weighing and measuring carefully. It's not like I can destroy everything so quickly. I'm just so thrilled because I've been really big in the past. At one point I was 245lbs. Today, I weighed in at 200lbs. I just want to see onderland and finally get out of the obese range. (Lost the last 25 here in the last 3 months!) I'm just nervous.

One week with hospital food doesn't have nearly as much potential to offset progress as doing something like going on vacation.

I do second the recommendation to eat closer to maintenance, though, to give your body the best opportunity to heal. The faster you get better, the sooner you can go back to making progress and getting to onederland

~Lyssa

forgtmenot · May 2015

A year and a half ago I spent just under 3 weeks in the hospital due to a lodged kidney stone which caused a severe infection and sepsis. Because of the medication I was on I was nauseous all the time. I was lucky to eat 200 calories a day. I lost 15lbs during that time. Not really something to look forward to, and it may be different for you, but you may not feel up to eating and the food at most hospitals is really terrible so if you don't have the nausea issue you probably won't eat a whole lot anyway. I wouldn't worry about that. Just focus on your surgery and healing. Hopefully you will not have to be in there for long. Good luck, And I hope everything goes well.

pollypocket1021 · May 2015

Ask the doctor to order a dietician consult. Ask the nurses that the order was put in. They should be able to provide accurate and macro counts for all foods.

SLLRunner · May 2015

Lady_Grell wrote: »

I think I'm supposed to be on a liquid diet for two days, and that part doesn't bother me too much. I'm going to be at University of Kentucky hospital, and there meals are rather large. I remember one meal was a huge chunk of lasagna, salad, and a piece of chocolate cake. Yummy, but I don't want to even think about all the calories. I'm just trying my best. I know the cafeteria in the hospital has calorie counts, so maybe I could just ask to see if their regular meals do as well.

You can ask for your meals to be specially prepared. Or, ask for half portions.

Lady_Grell · May 2015

I just noticed I wrote 'there' instead of 'their' when talking about the food at the hospital. That's going to drive the perfectionist in me insane. Must edit post!

I will talk to the dietician and nurses. Honestly, although I shouldn't be, I'm a little scared of eating closer to maintenance. With my thyroid issue and medicines I can regain quickly if I'm not exceedingly careful, but my dietician knows these issues. I need to trust them.

I might just be looking for an excuse not to go to the hospital.

I think I'm nervous about one thing so I'm nervous about even the most minor things. Still, I want to keep moving in the right direction.

FitPhillygirl · May 2015

I work in a Hospital. At my hospital there is a dietitian that patients can speak to about their diet. They also help with what to order from the menu as well. See if the hospital that you are going to be at has one there. I have found that they are a big help and the patients have also. Good luck with your surgery.

elphie754 · May 2015

earlnabby wrote: »

Lady_Grell wrote: »

I think I'm supposed to be on a liquid diet for two days, and that part doesn't bother me too much. I'm going to be at University of Kentucky hospital, and there meals are rather large. I remember one meal was a huge chunk of lasagna, salad, and a piece of chocolate cake. Yummy, but I don't want to even think about all the calories. I'm just trying my best. I know the cafeteria in the hospital has calorie counts, so maybe I could just ask to see if their regular meals do as well.

When you check in, can you request a consult with a hospital dietician to plan your meals while you are there? They should have access to all of the nutrition information about the food available and make suggestions based on your calorie target and the surgeon's post-op instructions. Of course the big thing would be if insurance would pay for the consult.

This. Although most hospitals have you meet with cafeteria staff if you are admitted (at least around here they do). I remember they felt so bad because I refused to eat anything they tried to bring me due to allergies and not trusting the possible cross contamination. They actually tried really hard to try to find something, but my parents just ended up bringing me food.

merde_il_pleut · May 2015

And don't freak out if you get home and get on the scale and your weight is all thrown off. Of course you know this, what with the whole kidney thing, but fluid balance can make your numbers go up and down and all over the place. It'll balance itself out in time.

Vune · May 2015

I've had multiple hospital stays and surgeries, and I've never been served meals so decadent and large that I felt inclined to overindulge. Maybe I should have my next surgery at your hospital?

I have a kidney transplant, too (and, like you, I'm going to be having another abdominal surgery soon), and they always bring me a renal diet, even 15 years post transplant.

jskyjse · May 2015

Ask to speak with the hospital dietician/nutritionist. Hospitals provide all kinds of meals for patients with different needs, allergies, and caloric intakes. In fact, it should be one of the easiest place to have a meal with specific needs met.

azulvioleta6 · May 2015

jskyjse wrote: »

Ask to speak with the hospital dietician/nutritionist. Hospitals provide all kinds of meals for patients with different needs, allergies, and caloric intakes. In fact, it should be one of the easiest place to have a meal with specific needs met.

This is a good idea. Beyond that--just do the best that you can. Also make sure that the nursing staff knows that you will need snacks for all of your carefully timed medications throughout the day that you cannot wait or be forgotten about.

Lots of hospitals list calories and carbs on their menus these days, but this varies from place to place.

Good luck to you--I hope that it is as good of an experience as possible!

SunflowerCat74 · May 2015

Pack your own snacks for taking yours meds! Honestly, I loathe hospital food and after surgery I'm never really that hungry. I hovered around 1000-1200 calories/day for the first 10 days after my last surgery...with ease! Our hospital has a large menu with lots of options. Most of it is so flavorless there's no joy in eating it. When I ordered I'd just stick with salads, fruit/veggies, lean meats. The real motivation was to eat plenty of fiber to offset the constipation side effects of the meds. Ahhhh...the joys of surgery! Good luck!

callsitlikeiseeit · May 2015

if your hospital serves restaurant quality foods then i want to go there LOL

you are recovering from surgery. you will NEED extra calories.

hospitals here list calorie counts on their menus.