Minnesota healthcare system jumps on healthy bandwagon

MINNEAPOLIS — Starting Monday, Fairview Hospitals across Minnesota rolled out a new food menu for patients and guests. They’re doing it because the hospital is teaming up with the Partnership for a Healthier America.

So what do the changes mean for your diet? WCCO This Morning Reporter Ali Lucia stopped by Fairview Southdale in Edina to find out.

The changes are part of a national Hospital Healthier Food Initiative and the new menu changes officially started the first Monday of November.

Healthy eating at a hospital should be common practice, right? New in November, “well-balanced meals” at Fairview Hospitals will be getting a makeover.

“Everything is freshly cooked to order, everything is a batch. Nothing is cooked to bulk, everything is cooked to order for you,” said Fairview Southdale Executive Chef Mark Minogue.

The hospital is getting rid of caloric drinks and replacing the menu with more water. In order to meet the Hospital Healthier Food Initiative standards every meal, breakfast, lunch and dinner have to be less than 700 calories.

“This is one of our full plate meals it’s only 437 calories, under the 700 calories easily,” said Minogue while speaking about a nicely prepared trout and rice  lunch meal.

Menu items like chicken tenders and other fried foods are being discarded because the deep fryer is no longer an option for cooking in the cafeteria.

“It’s a great thing the deep fryers are going away,” said Fairview Southdale Dietician Janelle Melgeorge Anderson. She said Fairview Health Services  was purchasing 5,400 gallons of fryer oil a year.

“Sometimes patients can be confused. This will really be a better fit,” said Melgeorge Anderson when speaking about eliminating the fried food choices.

Other rural hospitals across the state have committed to making healthier menus. But Fairview is the first Minnesota health system to participate