Plant-based (vegan) mandate for NY hospitals

allnurses Guide · Dec 18, 2019

7 hours ago, BiscuitRN said:
I think it's a good idea. People who haven't eaten any animal products in years (or ever) can become quite ill from suddenly eating meat or dairy. That wouldn't be conducive to the healing process. Maybe they are lacking in protein--this is a great time for a dietitian in the hospital to meet with them. Maybe they have no idea they should be taking b12 supplements, or that those crazy youtube vegans were wrong and it's not actually a good idea to eat 42 bananas a day or live a "fruititarian" lifestyle. I don't think it'll rock the kitchen too much, and it could open up helpful discussions that could keep them healthy.

Just noting that if a person is taking B12 supplements they are not Vegan as this nutrient is in only produced in the intestinal tracts of ruminant animals.

Still I am for sensible moderation in nutrition. If you want to eat vegan more power to you - I have personally found most of the vegans I know to be very respectful to other peoples food choices.

Jory, MSN, APRN, CNM · Dec 18, 2019

On 12/14/2019 at 11:41 AM, Emergent said:
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.
https://www.news-medical.net/news/20191209/New-Yorks-landmark-bill-guarantees-healthful-plant-based-meals-to-hospital-patients.aspx

No religion requires you to do paleo. That is a lifestyle choice.

There are several religions where members do not eat meat.

That's why.

The mandate had nothing to do with politics.

Lorri Cook, ADN, RN · Dec 20, 2019

If you are on a paleo diet, you're generally on it to lose weight.

If you are on a vegan diet, you have chosen to avoid all animal products, often for humanitarian reasons, sometimes for health reasons.

They're each very different, and if you are a vegan, most regular diets are no substitute.

Emergent, RN · Dec 20, 2019

8 hours ago, Lorri Cook said:
If you are on a paleo diet, you're generally on it to lose weight.
If you are on a vegan diet, you have chosen to avoid all animal products, often for humanitarian reasons, sometimes for health reasons.
They're each very different, and if you are a vegan, most regular diets are no substitute.

That's actually inaccurate. My cousin is on plant-based for health reasons. The Paleo adherents I've met eat like that for health reasons, because they believe the pre-agricultural diet is the one that the human race evolved to eat.

I think you're thinking of keto, which is often done for weight loss, although can be an excellent way to reset the metabolism away from the modern high carbohydrate diet.

Many these days put a lot of stock in grass fed meats, bone broth, etc. Should hospitals be required to supply those choices?

"nursy", RN · Dec 20, 2019

54 minutes ago, Emergent said:
Many these days put a lot of stock in grass fed meats, bone broth, etc. Should hospitals be required to supply those choices?

Grass fed meats that haven't been contaminated with antibiotics, and bone broth (instead of that sodium filled sludge currently passing for broth) would certainly be a healthier option, so sure why not? Unfortunately, hospitals are usually woefully behind the times in providing healthy food. It wasn't that long ago that a hospital diabetic breakfast was juice, cereal and milk and toast. High carb empty calories and now here's your insulin thank you very much. Why shouldn't hospitals lead the way in healthy food choices?

Emergent, RN · Dec 20, 2019

Nursy- I happen to agree with you but don't like the NY mandate because of its narrow scope, favoring and endorsing the plant-based over other, viable alternatives. I totally agree with you. The smaller hospital where I work really has atrocious, backwards attitudes towards food, with very limited choices.

In other countries, patients rely a lot on families to bring in food. Hospitals should encourage this. I say, lower my hospital bill so I can use uber eats!

Editorial Team / Admin · Dec 20, 2019

26 minutes ago, Emergent said:
but don't like the NY mandate because of its narrow scope, favoring and endorsing the plant-based over other, viable alternatives.

It’s not favoring. It’s simply adding another choice. Why are you so dead set against this? Patients who eat meat and dairy already have options. Those who don’t now will have the option to meet their dietary preference.

**LibraSunCNM, BSN, MSN, CNM** · Dec 20, 2019

2 minutes ago, Rose_Queen said:
It’s not favoring. It’s simply adding another choice. Why are you so dead set against this? Patients who eat meat and dairy already have options. Those who don’t now will have the option to meet their dietary preference.

That my question as well. How is adding an option equal to favoring and endorsing said option? How is it different from offering kosher or halal meals?

dirtyhippiegirl, BSN, RN · Dec 20, 2019

39 minutes ago, LibraSunCNM said:
That my question as well. How is adding an option equal to favoring and endorsing said option? How is it different from offering kosher or halal meals?

Also a vegan option is instrinically halal and nominally kosher (the meal being kosher, the kitchen probably not), and covers the Hindu belief in not eating beef -- so you're covering a lot of bases. Certain Christian sects like the Seventh Day Adventists are supposed to be vegetarian or vegan as well.

CapeCodMermaid, RN · Dec 20, 2019

No thanks. I’ll take the steak

Emergent, RN · Dec 21, 2019

Obviously, this is, yet another, fruitless discussion here. Such a waste of time...

Guest219794 · Dec 21, 2019

9 hours ago, Emergent said:
Nursy- I happen to agree with you but don't like the NY mandate because of its narrow scope, favoring and endorsing the plant-based over other, viable alternatives. I totally agree with you. The smaller hospital where I work really has atrocious, backwards attitudes towards food, with very limited choices.
In other countries, patients rely a lot on families to bring in food. Hospitals should encourage this. I say, lower my hospital bill so I can use uber eats!

Gotta say, I think you are trolling.

I am not being critical about that- it takes some creativity to keep it going so long.

But, you have done nothing at all to respond to your entire premise being questioned. There is a mandate consistent with the recommendations of multiple health professionals with zero downside. No government over reach, no endorsing or promoting anything.

If you believed your premise, you would defend it. Defending the indefensible is pretty popular these days. But, you have created and kept up an amusing thread, so thank you for that.

BTW- I don't eat a plant based diet, but my diet does.