Food & recipes

Jo Wood: Is hospital food healthy?

Would you let your kids eat hospital food? Jo Wood isn’t so sure…

Food is an incredible healer, so why aren’t our hospitals dishing up better grub? Our resident green guru Jo Wood questions whether she’d want her family eating what’s on offer…
When my kids were younger and got sick, the first thing I would was make a big pot of goodness – a great organic vegetable soup to help them recover.

I would then tailor their meals to their illness, and give them the food that they needed to not only boost their immune systems, but help get them better quickly. I really believe in the saying ‘you are what you eat’; food is an incredible healer as I know only too well myself.

Back in 1989 I was misdiagnosed with Crohn’s disease and prescribed steroids. However, by making drastic changes to my diet I was quickly able to improve my wellbeing and wean myself off the steroids.

It later transpired that I actually had a perforated appendix. But by looking very closely at my diet and by switching to an organic lifestyle I went through a life changing experience – and so did my family. This is why I feel so strongly that the hospitals in this country have got their food strategy completely wrong.

People recovering from illness need to nurture and feed their bodies at such a fragile time; especially those who might be getting over major surgery.

Food as fuel

I like to compare our bodies to a Formula 1 racing car – we all have an incredible engine inside each and every one of us. When we put in the right fuel we perform well, get strong again and feed the engine. However, if the hospitals in this country continue to serve up slop, overcooked or deep fried food, or meals containing too much sugar and no nutritional value then what chance is there for us as a nation? If patients were recovering faster it would save the NHS millions and millions of pounds. This is why we should be encouraging our hospitals to be investing and working with nutritionists and immunologists and tailoring patients’ meals to their needs whilst they are in recovery.

Fast food nation

I also believe that ready meals are the cause of much illness the world over. In my opinion these types of meals highlight the fact that the food, illness and recovery cycle are so closely connected. We continue to be this fast food nation where we’re always on the go, never eating properly at work or at home, growing further and further away from what Mother Nature intended for us. The end result is that our health is being compromised. Just look at the obesity levels in the UK – they are growing at a scary rate.

Lead by example

The health of our nation is so important, especially when a productive and thriving workforce could provide a much-needed boost to the economy. We have to lead by example and show people that food and health are connected. Wholesome, nutritional food helps our bodies to stay strong and our minds to remain sharp.

The next time I have to go into hospital, whether it is as a patient or to visit a loved one, I know I will be taking my own food in. What will you be doing?

For more information on this subject visit stop-readymeals.com

Article by

Jo Wood

Healthy and Organic Living Guru

is a healthy and organic living guru and creator of her own natural beauty range

Discover more

Article by

Jo Wood

Healthy and Organic Living Guru

is a healthy and organic living guru and creator of her own natural beauty range

Discover more