I love eating foods when they are in season! Currently in California we have apples, artichokes, arugula (one of my favorite greens for salads), asian pears, avocados (who doesn't like avocados?!), basil, beets, blackberries, bok choy, and so many other fresh fruits and veggies were listed here. When I think about seasonal foods in relation to hospital menus, I would hope that whoever is in charge of designing and preparing the food takes into consideration the fruits and veggies in season. Having this be done creates a healthier population, especially those who are in long term care at the hospital. More often then not, I see that the food prepared in hospitals lack flavor and color. Often times being bland. Working at the Zuckerberg San Francisco General, I have learned that the foods prepared and served daily have gone through this process of being cooked, then freezing it for storage/transportation, and then reheated when time comes to serve. So much seems wrong with this process that things can be done better.
Below is a harvest calendar for Southern California. This is something I hadn't thought to have personally so I can be better aware of what foods are best to be purchased throughout the year.
Reading through Holtcamp (2012) article on obesogens, I had never heard of the term nor thought about the implications that chemicals have had and continue to have on the obesity rates. Going through the evidence presented and the studies that have been completed, I do believe that the build up and exposure to chemicals is playing a role in obesity. Of course there a million other factors that come into play and should be considered, but let's talk about polyvinyl chloride (PVC). This chemical is found in hard solid plastics such as pipes, vinyl flooring and siding, hoses, cable coatings, medical devices, and plumbing among other household items. It can be made softer and more flexible by adding phthalates and can also contain traces of bisphenol A (BPA).
Below is a harvest calendar for Southern California. This is something I hadn't thought to have personally so I can be better aware of what foods are best to be purchased throughout the year.
Reading through Holtcamp (2012) article on obesogens, I had never heard of the term nor thought about the implications that chemicals have had and continue to have on the obesity rates. Going through the evidence presented and the studies that have been completed, I do believe that the build up and exposure to chemicals is playing a role in obesity. Of course there a million other factors that come into play and should be considered, but let's talk about polyvinyl chloride (PVC). This chemical is found in hard solid plastics such as pipes, vinyl flooring and siding, hoses, cable coatings, medical devices, and plumbing among other household items. It can be made softer and more flexible by adding phthalates and can also contain traces of bisphenol A (BPA).
Really appreciate the insight from your experience at the Zuckerberg hospital. It is crazy that they would freeze them and then re-heat them to feed to patients. Depending on how individuals reheat food, like through the microwave, some of the nutrients leaves the food, which could be needed to promote healthy healing.
ReplyDeleteIt just seems crazy that hospital staff would not view food as another form of medicine with healing abilities b/c it really does have the ability to help or hurt people, especially those who are vulnerable.
Yeah. It always left me in awe that hospital food lacks such nutrients when, like you point out, food is/should be seen as a form of medicine. Maybe things are on the way to change as more holistic approaches to healing and health are becoming discussed and questioned.
DeleteI agree that there needs to be a better way to keep healthy nutrients in the food without the whole chemical, freezing, thawing, and refreezing process. Hospitals maybe could have contracts with local farms that way the fruits and veggies could be transported directly there. Oh and I LOVE AVACADOS!
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