News Release
Thursday, September 15, 2005
Contact: Jeanne S. McVey at 202-686-2210,
ext. 316, or cell 415-509-1833; jeannem@pcrm.org
Hospital Cafeteria Food Is a Recipe for Illness, New Report Shows
High-Fat, High-Cholesterol Meals Increase Risk
of Heart
Disease and Cancer for Hospital Staff and Visitors
WASHINGTON—Nutrition scientists with the Physicians Committee
for Responsible Medicine (PCRM) have conducted a nationwide survey to determine if hospital cafeterias and restaurants are meeting
the need for low-fat, cholesterol-free foods that can help people
maintain a healthy weight and prevent heart disease, diabetes,
and some cancers. While there are some promising trends, such as
the wide availability of whole-grain products and fresh fruit,
there is an urgent need for improvement. The survey reveals that
fewer than one-third of hospitals offer either a daily salad bar
or a daily low-fat, cholesterol-free entrée. Moreover, a
nutritional analysis reveals that many entrées described
as healthful by hospitals are actually very high in artery-clogging
fat. Sixty-two percent of these “healthiest entrée” offerings
derived more than 30 percent of calories from fat, and a few derived
more than 50 percent of calories from fat.
“With heart disease still the number one killer of Americans
and obesity on the rise, it is imperative that hospitals set a
good example by providing health-promoting, vegetarian foods to
staff, patients, and visitors,” says Amy Joy Lanou, Ph.D.,
senior nutrition scientist. “Hospital fare with a focus on
vegetables, beans, and whole grains could help keep visitors and
medical staff from becoming patients themselves.” Numerous
studies published in peer-reviewed journals show that a low-fat
vegetarian diet can lower cholesterol, improve insulin sensitivity,
reverse heart disease, halt progression of prostate cancer, and
provide many other benefits.
In partnership with ADinfinitum, Inc., and Spirit of Women hospital
network, PCRM staff created the Healthy Hospital Food Initiative
Questionnaire and distributed it to 40 hospitals or hospital systems
nationwide. The hospitals surveyed were medium to large community
hospitals with 100 beds or more and academic medical centers with
at least 500 beds. Data collection occurred between December 1,
2004 and January 31, 2005.
Journalists: For a copy of the full report or an interview with
a nutrition scientist, please contact Jeanne S. McVey at 202-686-2210,
ext. 316, or jeannem@pcrm.org.
Founded in 1985, the Physicians Committee for Responsible
Medicine is a nonprofit health organization that promotes preventive
medicine, especially good nutrition. PCRM also conducts clinical
research studies, opposes unethical human experimentation, and
promotes alternatives to animal research.
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