COPING WITH SPECIAL DIETS IN HOSPITAL

People who need to follow a  special diet often ask me how they will cope with their diet during a period of admission to a hospital. 

Individuals are often admitted to various NHS hospitals and this  short piece aims to provide information and reassurance to them.

 Special diets are more correctly referred to as “Therapeutic diets”  as they are advised  by doctors and dietitians and other health professionals to assist in the management of a medical condition such as diabetes, raised cholesterol levels or a food intolerance such as to gluten which occurs with coeliac disease or other disorders.

 Nutrition and hydration are regarded as imperative to the care and recovery of patients.  

We must also not forget that hardworking hospital staff need good food to sustain them.

 Hospital Caterers and dietitians and staff strive to ensure patients have suitable food.

 

NHS  hospitals have certain standards on this which can be found by anyone “National Standards for healthcare food and Drink From NHS England” contains full information on food for patients, staff, and visitors plus standards on food waste and recording. It includes information on meal ordering.  It can give reassurance to patients and their relatives.

 Additionally, there is comprehensive information on special diets in the “Nutrition and Hydration Nutrition digest which has all the standards on hospital food including special diets. It is helpful for those needing a special diet. Hospital menus usually have coding to indicate which foods and dishes are suitable for which diets. 

This document is well-established and known by hospital caterers and dietitians

 I assisted with a chapter  in this on sustainability. which I feel passionate about. This was presented at the launch of the updated Digest in London on June 15^th, 2023. The Digest can easily be found and provides information and reassurance.

 

 

PLEASE NOTE For specific advice on diet please consult your dietitian, doctor, or health professional

 

 

 NUTRITION AND LONG COVID

NUTRITION AND LONG COVID

 

 

Last year I published a book on Nutrition and Long Covid.

 

I tried to keep it very simple and straightforward as I had found people do not have the energy or time to trawl through lots of information.  I also included some practical ideas.

This is what I said in the introduction

“Long Covid (Long Haulers,” “Post Covid syndrome” and “Long term covid”, as it is also called) has affected almost two million people in the UK. It has only been recognised since 2020 so everything as regards support is relatively new.

Sufferers have a range of symptoms affecting the whole body.

This book aims to give a simple overview of nutrition and how this may help with the condition”.

People have also said it is helpful for other post viral conditions.

The book contains information on how to record your health, what to do if you are overweight , or underweight, supplements, loss of taste and several other issues.

I tried to keep the price really low at £1.99

 

One reviewer said

“ I have bought your book and found it easy to read and extremely helpful”