Frequently when I am rounding in the hospital and if it is mealtime, the food plates would often gain my attention and have wondered why the hospitalized patients are given foods that they avoid even in their own homes as they are not nutritious.

When the doctors write diet orders for regular food, cardiac food, renal food, diabetic food, etc. we as doctors assume that they will get healthy foods as they are in the hospital. Giving cake or a pastry to a diabetic or a cardiac patient in the hospital even if it is relatively low in calories, is the same as giving them a wrong message to take home. Many of the patients have told me that they do not know why they get such foods which they always avoid at home.

I have frequently seen patients getting cranberry juice for a clear liquid diet when they have gastric or pancreatic issues and are getting medications to lower the acid level. Also, most lung patients esp. with asthma exacerbations have no restrictions in getting cold or iced foods, drinks, or ice-creams. In one of the hospitals where I worked, the dietitian understood my concern very well and had made a stamp for all my asthma patients to not get cold or iced drinks or foods. Sipping on warm to hot liquids and soups, helps them not lose heat from the lungs which in turn can help reduce acute asthma attacks, loosen up secretions, boost their immunity and may also reduce the need for steroid use.

Several years ago, I had seen an article published in a popular magazine in USA depicting the benefits of Mung beans on the Cover page. In the article, there was a study mentioned where they had shown an increase in neutrophils helping the healing process during acute infections in the lungs. Mung beans and Mung dal in Ayurveda are considered easy to digest and very helpful in healing.

In general, doctors are not taught much about diet unless the physician or clinician personally has learned that. The dietitians and the nutritionists frequently differ in their opinions. Counting calories is not everything anymore. You do want them to have foods which will not only expedite healing process but also is easy to digest and boosts immunity.

A patient who has been admitted for a fracture or an obstetrics patient who is admitted after delivering a baby, should be offered regular food and may have cakes, pastries, or ice creams if their physical condition allows it. But what food would be more nutritious for healing the wounds after a surgery for a fracture or a caesarean section?

From marketing standpoint, providing good tasting food and comfort are very important but it is more important that the hospitals do not try to match the hotel services. The hospitals have a much bigger role to play.

In Ayurveda, they say, “Annam Aushadham”, which means the food is the medicine. It is the crux of the message I want to convey through this article. The right food acts like medicine, and there is no second opinion about it.

 

-Dr. Darshana Kadakia

May 1, 2021