Health on hospital cafe menu

HEALTHY CHOICE: Spotless dietitian Josephine Greer shows some of the healthy food options available in Whanganui Hospital's Top Cafe. PHOTO/BEVAN CONLEY 150715WCBRCHOS01

Whanganui Hospital's cafes are introducing healthier food options for staff and visitors.

Espresso Plus and The Top Cafe are changing their daily menus to make sure 70 per cent of food sold on Whanganui District Health Board (WDHB) premises is healthy.

The move comes after board members voted to remove most sugary drinks from the hospital vending machines and cafes, and a reviewed nutrition policy stated there should be changes to food as well.

"During the first stage of implementation we have introduced a popular two-weekly, rotating salad menu packed with vegetables, nuts, seeds, and lean protein options," service provider Spotless' regional manager Peter Birch said.

"In addition to salads, most deep-fried items have been replaced by stuffed vegetables, wholemeal pizza sticks, and kumara hash cakes - and we have three new snack packs for healthy eating on the go: a fruit salad and cheese snack, a hummus and vege pack, and an unsweetened yoghurt, berry coulis and muesli breakfast pot.

"To meet the DHB's request that food sold on its premises must be 70 per cent healthy: 30 per cent less healthy, Spotless plans to reduce the number of slices and baked goods sold, replacing them with low fat, fruit-based baking which, if eaten in moderation - twice a week, not every day - are part of a healthy diet."

To ensure people's favourites won't disappear from the menu altogether, Spotless will be asking staff to let them know what they would like to see kept on the menu.

Spotless regional food service manager Fleur Dal Din said the move would take about six months.

"High-energy, low-nutrient food portion sizes will be adjusted as part of the transition," she said.