Hospital Foods Then vs Now: A Tale of Two Plates and Patients.
What we feed sick people in our society tells us a lot about how we view on health and nutrition.
A 'then and now' comparison reveals a stark truth.
And a story of change, for the worse.
Do you remember the last time you set foot in a hospital?
Sterile vending machines brimming with ultra-processed snacks lit by bright white, flickering strip lighting.
And the meals...
Served with all the enthusiasm of an economy-class airline.
It's enough to make you think there is no relation between nutrition and healing.
For those who have experienced it firsthand, today’s hospital food feels like a betrayal of what food should be in a place of healing. But it wasn’t always this way. Let's go back in time….
A Glimpse into the Past
Hospitals once served meals steeped in the philosophy of “food as medicine.” Recipes were as hearty as they were intentional:
Liver and bacon
Boiled heart with raisin sauce
Such dishes were packed with nutrients designed to nourish bodies ravaged by illness or surgery.
Compare that with today’s lineup: boxed cereals for breakfast, uninspired sandwiches for lunch, and a curry—high in sugar, low in protein—for dinner or even the modern emphasis of the plant-based narrative.
The glaring contrast reveals a sharp departure from food that heals to food that simply fills.
Even now, the FDA’s latest acknowledgment that eggs are, indeed, a healthy food feels like a reluctant concession rather than progress. link
Perhaps hospitals might one day swap their pulverised grains for a proper egg breakfast… but let’s not hold our breath.
Food That Heals
Once, doctors and nurses bridged the divide between medicine and nutrition. Today, that gap is a chasm. Modern hospitals offer little more than convenience fare, divorced from any consideration of what a healing body truly needs.
Nutrients not just soley “energy/Calories”
Take the most common reasons people are hospitalised: digestive and circulatory issues. Imagine if hospitals catered to these specific needs:
Digestive issues: Meals low in FODMAPs and histamines, enriched with glutamine, vitamin C, zinc, and vitamin A.
Think bone broth, ox tongue, shellfish, red meat, liver, fresh fruits and vegetables.
Circulatory issues: Foods abundant in nitrates, alongside vitamin C, E, B6, and B3.
Think: Beef or lamb heart, oranges, almonds, avocados, spinach, wild rocket, beetroot and slow cooked meats.
Instead, hospital menus seem more aligned with keeping suppliers and big pharma happy than patients healthy and not returning for good.
What If Oath Designed the Menu?
Let’s reimagine hospital meals with a focus on nutrient density and healing power:
Breakfast:
2-4 poached eggs
Venison & heart sausages (by Oath)
Mushrooms and spinach sautéed in butter or olive oil
Fresh juice options: “Beetroot & Ginger” or “Celery & Lemon”
Lunch:
Chicken and vegetable soup, made with bone broth and saffron
Fresh orange jello (made with real juice, no additives)
Snack:
Chicken liver pate with cucumber crudites
Dinner:
Beef bolognese (Oath mince) over zucchini noodles, topped with parmesan and served with a side of Greek yoghurt, honey, and seasonal berries.
This isn’t fanciful; it’s achievable. What’s missing is the will to prioritise healing over convenience.
The Garden That once Healed
One of the greatest losses and tragedies in modern hospitals?
The hospital garden. In medieval times, these were spaces for growing food and fostering recovery.
Imagine today’s hospitals equipped with:
Rooftop gardens for sunlight therapy
Red-light therapy rooms
Float tanks
Freshly prepared meals using ingredients grown on-site
Spaces for movement, contemplation, and connection
The Guardian aptly captures the simplicity and wisdom of these historical practices—a stark contrast to today’s windowless wards and fluorescent-lit cafeterias.
What Can You Do?
If you or a loved one find yourselves in a hospital, consider these tips:
Home-cooked meals: Ask friends or family to bring in nutritious dishes.
Order Oath Foods: Transform hospital meals by incorporating nutrient-dense options.
Custom meal delivery: Services like Simmer Eats offer tailored, nourishing meals delivered nationwide.
Progress in hospital food has been slow, but awareness and advocacy can change that. Let us know your experiences and ideas for improving hospital meals. Together, we can reclaim the wisdom of the past for a healthier future.
Speak soon,
R, J & N
