Gluten free gourmet food -- in the hospital??

12/5/2012

Creative Commons image credit, below.

I live in what I would call a "gluten free friendly" zone. Yet, the nearest bakery-prepared gluten free blueberry muffin is still eight miles away!

When a gluten free friend was recently in the hospital, however, not only did she have her own menu, but she could order gluten free blueberry muffins any ole' time she liked!

Mouth-watering items on the gluten free menu included beef pot roast with organic roasted fingerling potatoes, sauteed organic bok choy or squash, roasted vegetables, white fish with a Meditrranean sauce, a hamburger or a cage free egg salad sandwich!

And, for dessert, she could munch on a chocolate brownie with strawberries and whipped cream.

Wow.

If you, your friend, or relative is in the hospital, make sure you ask about whether gluten free menus -- or options -- are available!

I'd love to hear about your experiences with gluten free dining and our friends in the medical establishment.

2 Comments

karen link

8/31/2017 06:56:15 am

Hello, all! I am including virtually the entire comment of a reader from a few years ago about her experience in the hospital; I did not reproduce the comment verbatim because it has been a few years since she left it and the particular hospital may have improved its gluten free offerings:
"To my dismay there were no gluten free options available on their very delicious menu. There was no gluten free menu. There were no gluten free crackers available to help stave off my nausea. I was admitted through the ER, so unfortunately could not plan to bring them with me. I was told the kitchen was out of Gluten Free bread & it would take at least 6 or 7 days to get some in. Finally some kind person in the kitchen found some in the freezer, and I was able to have dry toast. I was told no one could tell me if other items on the menu were gluten free. When I fully recover, I plan to have a talk with someone at the hospital who might be able to rectify this situation."

karen link

8/31/2017 07:16:15 am

Thank you, M., for your comment!
Your experience reflects exactly what others I know have experienced in some hospitals!
Part of what this site is all about is establishing awareness and providing an impetus to change!
Celiac disease and gluten intolerance and sensitivity or other related conditions are bona fide medical conditions. Although I do not have vast experience with hospitals, it seems to me that diabetics, for instance, would be provided low sugar options.
In the meantime, my suggestion is to call a hospital in advance if one knows one will be having a procedure and will be in a recovery room or staying overnight. If the hospital does not have any gluten free options, talk with someone in the hospital administrator's office and ask that those items be ordered.
In any case, it would probably be a good idea to bring some gluten free food --- such as crackers -- just in case.
I would love to hear more of my readers' thoughts and experiences about this issue!