A third of Brits would back a switch to an entirely plant-based menu in NHS hospitals, according to a poll.
The study of 2,000 adults revealed that while 79 per cent have sympathy for the NHS in its current state, 55 per cent believe something needs to change when it comes to the meals served.
The research was commissioned by Plant-Based Healthcare Professionals UK (www.plantbasedhealthprofessionals.com), which want to see plant-based meals as the default option in hospitals and healthcare institutions, in line with the policy in place in New York City hospitals.
Dr Shireen Kassam, founder of the community interest company, said: “There’s certainly an appetite to see change.
“Naturally, there will be many that perhaps wouldn’t be as keen, but often once ideas are implemented, people adapt very quickly.”
The study of 2,000 adults revealed that while 79 per cent have sympathy for the NHS in its current state, 55 per cent believe something needs to change when it comes to the meals served.
The research was commissioned by Plant-Based Healthcare Professionals UK (www.plantbasedhealthprofessionals.com), which want to see plant-based meals as the default option in hospitals and healthcare institutions, in line with the policy in place in New York City hospitals.
Dr Shireen Kassam, founder of the community interest company, said: “There’s certainly an appetite to see change.
“Naturally, there will be many that perhaps wouldn’t be as keen, but often once ideas are implemented, people adapt very quickly.”
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FunTranscript
00:00My experience towards Hospital Food, as expected, I'm not going to lie, it's not been the greatest.
00:05Below standard, I'd say.
00:07Very bland.
00:09I can't say they were the most flavourful.
00:14It's official, if we unfortunately find ourselves in hospitals, the nation isn't impressed with the foods that are available.
00:19From a lack of choice to meat-free options and quality, people are asking for more.
00:23But would the nation back a meat-free menu if that were the better option? Let's find out.
00:28Yes, I've experienced Hospital Food. I had a heart attack about 20 years ago.
00:32So I was in hospital and not much I can say about the food, to be quite honest.
00:38I had some breakfasts and lunches and dinners. They were filling, so that's something.
00:42My experience was okay. Not gonna say it was great.
00:45I've heard of vegetarian options, but again, it would just probably be one.
00:49I do feel like there's always a negative stereotype towards Hospital Food.
00:53And again, I think it comes down to lack of budget, lack of care.
00:57It just almost looks like a prison meal.
00:59I think hospitals should have meat-free options and definitely some options that are available to people which maybe have religious beliefs as well.
01:07I do think make it broadly optional, vegan, vegetarian in a way, is a matter of people's choices in a way.
01:15Especially because I decided that I want to eat less meat, so I would love this kind of, you know, options as well.
01:22They should cater for absolutely everybody. I don't think they need more than one or two, but then they don't need more than one or two meat options.
01:28So I definitely agree that hospitals should have more meat-free menus.
01:35A totally meat-free menu in hospitals is a big hell no from me.
01:38As long as it's flavourful and looks nice, then I say go for it.
01:42A lot of people are veering away from meat and are going to more, shall we say, healthy options.
01:48I mean, I eat meat, but I don't decry anybody who doesn't eat meat and they go,
01:53my son, he doesn't eat meat at all and he thinks it's better for him. But that's his choice.
02:00I understand we're trying to be a bit more inclusive for vegans and vegetarians,
02:03but we can't now throw away another category to cater for two other categories.
02:07You have to respect everyone's decisions or opinions and preferences.
02:12I think if they had more choice, they would look at the options they've got and think,
02:18oh, that seems more healthy than that one, and maybe might pick the healthy option.
02:22I feel like there's no real kind of thought towards environmental issues,
02:26simply because I feel like you're just more there to kind of get better.
02:29So we're not really considering where is it coming from, like what harm is it going to do?
02:35I feel like we're just there to kind of just survive.
02:38I think people do, and it definitely seems as if there's a shift,
02:41and as I say, probably a generational divide on that.
02:44It definitely seems as if there's a trend towards more vegetarian or vegan options.
02:48And obviously it's a health benefit as well to have options to more vegetables and things like that.
02:52So it'd be fantastic if people in there are able to access those options.