Hospital has all the juice on healthy foods strategy

Fresh fruit and vegetable juices go on sale at Auckland City Hospital this week.

Boost Juice Bars will open its first hospital outlet at the main city hospital tomorrow, offering smoothies, juices or wheatgrass shots, and supplying Starship children's hospital with the healthy fare.

Owner David Wright said he thought Boost Juice was a great fit for the hospitals.

"Our juices and smoothies are all low in fat, free of artificial colours or flavours, and provide a great alternative to fast food," he said.

McDonalds earlier this year closed its 8-year-old outlet in Starship as it was not getting enough business.

Auckland City Hospital's nutrition services manager, Penny King, believed Boost would be popular with staff and patients.

"This year we are embracing the ministry's healthy eating healthy action strategy with new menus in the staff cafeteria and healthier options in the vending machines.

"The arrival of Boost Juice fits in nicely with this strategy by extending the range of healthy options on site," she said.

Auckland regional public health service dietitian Christine Cook said freshly prepared juices were full of nutrients.

"It can be high energy ... but is a reasonably good food choice."