Vegan, halal, organic: clinics focus on more diversity
Hospitals in Saxony-Anhalt are increasingly focusing on more variety when it comes to catering for their patients. "The wishes and requirements for food have changed in recent years," Thomas Moesta, Medical Director of Halle University Hospital, told the German Press Agency. Many patients eat a vegan diet and there is also demand for halal food. There is a "vegetarian menu line" at the hospital, said Moesta.
Magdeburg University Hospital has been offering a vegetarian and a vegan meal in the canteen every day for several years. From January 2024 at the latest, a vegan meal will also be on the menu for patient catering. However, organic products are generally not used for cost reasons, said a spokeswoman.
The Helios hospital chain is focusing on more organic, regional products and less meat. The lunch menu includes dishes such as chickpea curry with rice, falafel balls or a bratwurst that consists of 75 percent plant-based proteins and 25 percent organic pork, according to a spokesperson for the Helios clinics in Saxony-Anhalt. The company has eight locations in the state, including in Burg and Sangerhausen.
At the Municipal Hospital in Dessau, at least one vegetarian meal is available daily for patients and in the cafeteria. "We will be expanding our range of light meals by changing our menus at the end of this year," announced a spokesperson.
The Paul Gerhardt Stift in Wittenberg recently introduced a buffet system. Patients can choose the amount of food and the components themselves, a spokeswoman said. Like many other clinics, the Paul Gerhardt Stift also complains about increased energy costs and food prices. Expenses for food have increased, the spokeswoman said.
"We are happy to cater to the various religious needs of our patients and implement these as far as we can," said a spokeswoman for the Johanniter Hospital in Stendal. However, halal has not yet played a role. Halal refers to things that are permitted under Islamic law. A vegetarian dish is on the menu every day in Stendal.
In light of the shifting dietary preferences, many hospitals in Saxony-Anhalt are now offering vegan and halal food options, catering to the diverse nutrition needs of their patients. To further prioritize health and nutrition, some hospitals, like Helios, are shifting towards more organic and regional food options, reducing meat consumption.
Source: www.dpa.com
