Plant-based (vegan) mandate for NY hospitals

[Emergent]

What do you think of the new bill passed in New York State requiring vegan options on the menu?

It does appear to be a political endorsement of this diet over others, such as paleo, which had benefited many as well. While I definitely favor choice for patients, this law is promoting a plant-based as superior.

Also, whenever government imposes another mandate, it creates an expensive bureaucracy and burdensome red tape.

New York's landmark bill guarantees healthful plant-based meals to hospital patients

[Guest219794]

On 1/3/2020 at 9:42 PM, Daisy4RN said:

I dont have a problem with any hospital serving vegan or other options for patients. But, i think the the gov mandating it is definitely over reach. With all the push for customer service the hospital would more than likely provide if enough ppl requested/complained. I am sure that the diverse areas of the state would be able to best provide for their specific area without intervention from the gov. Also seems like the Physician group is more interested in animal rights than necessarily people eating vegan (even though they do go hand in hand).

On 1/4/2020 at 3:54 AM, Megarline said:

What they will do when there will be over population of animals in the future?

Funny. I really hope intentionally so.

[jupitercrash, LPN]

I think it is great, I was vegetarian for 3 years, when I was in the hospital after delivering my daughter they had ONE vegetarian meal the entire time I was there. I couldn't even order a salad because they had ham in them already,

[Tomascz, ASN, RN]

I guess whoever is responsible for the grocery bill will have the most say about what gets served.
I certainly applaud the nod to healthier eating with the caveat that simply eating a diet devoid of animal products is no guarantee of better health or better environmental quality for reasons Bill McKibben and Michael Pollan have made abundantly clear. It's an extremely complex process. Being admitted to a hospital with anything other than trauma from an accident is usually the end product of bad habits, including diet, of long standing. A weeks worth of diet frustration will probably neither break nor make the individual case.

I do think having healthy, culturally relevant options on what shows up on your dinner tray while your body holds you hostage in a hospital bed has a lot to be said for it.
Other than that, I have yet to read anything that has convinced me that being a strict herbivore is the best solution for everyone.

[Phyllis Goersch]

On 12/15/2019 at 7:31 AM, OUxPhys said:

There is some debate as to whether olive oil has health benefits. If you use it sparingly then yes but if you overdo it then no. It was only a matter of time before vegan became an option. You pretty much have every other option available.

There are studies that show a plant based diet does offer more health benefits longterm, especially compared to the current American diet.

I just dont see hospitals endorsing the keto/carnivore/paleo diet though, especially with those patients who have CAD.

I have to say...I'm a CAD patient and paleo is EXACTLY what was prescribed for me. HSCRP is now normal as well as my comprehensive lipid panel.

[GeriLPNtoPsycchRN, CNA, LPN, RN]

I didn't realize this had been added as a law in NY. I've always worked places that were always willing to cater to specialty diets. Glad this is priority now.

[HelpfulNatureHopeful]

This is great! Plant based diets are superior. I went plant based 4 years ago and never looked back. In addition to being healthier, it’s cruelty free! Total win win

[Megarline, CNA]

Sometimes, I get irritated to read or listen to adults. Why (adults) people have to parent by government, hospitals, doctors, nurses, or other HC professionals to eat vegetables and fruits or a variety of foods? If they didn't grow up this way, they can change their diet and teach their kids to eat vegetables in early life. Vegetables are delicious. This is the best thing they can inherit to their children. I'm sure they have a TV at home unliked where I grew up. Didn't even have electricity, to begin with.?

I was paddled for not eating my meals. Timeouts weren't optional. Eat without the power of struggle or eat + paddle. So, I ate without paddles. I told him vegetables were nasty. He was liked "you'll thank me later, stupid kid." ?

[HandsOffMySteth]

If the patient is vegan then they should not be forced to eat something they find offensive. A balanced diet is proven to be the best, but the vegan option is not unreasonable.

[Megarline, CNA]

On 1/12/2020 at 7:07 PM, HelpfulNatureHopeful said:

This is great! Plant based diets are superior. I went plant based 4 years ago and never looked back. In addition to being healthier, it’s cruelty free! Total win win

If we debate about cruelty and organisms, animals can't survive without plants. Plants don't need animals which include people.?‍♀️

[Tweety, BSN, RN]

I think most hospitals already have vegan options anyway.

Many vegans are vegans for ethical reasons, without concern to health, same as some people are Kosher, or don't eat pork for religious and ethical reasons. They deserve the same consideration in my opinion.

As far as low carb and paleo people, that can be easily accommodated.

[Megarline, CNA]

3 hours ago, Tweety said:

I think most hospitals already have vegan options anyway.

Many vegans are vegans for ethical reasons, without concern to health, same as some people are Kosher, or don't eat pork for religious and ethical reasons. They deserve the same consideration in my opinion.

As far as low carb and paleo people, that can be easily accommodated.

I eat delicious vegetables and seafood, barely any meats. Not because of religious and ethical considerations, I grew up feeding on those. I love half cooked vegetables with a sprinkle of salt and apple cider vinegar or red vinegar or raw vinegar. I don't need anything else. It's nasty to eat vegetables with other stuffs. My physicians recommended to keep these going.

[HelpfulNatureHopeful]

It’s nasty to eat animal carcasses period. That used to belong to a conscious animal. How can you justify murdering one species but say you are a caregiver? It’s hypocritical.