Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to expect to be offered a vegetarian option...

95 replies

madangelhairday · 27/12/2011 12:32

..in hospital?

Been in since last Tuesday (with small break for Christmas Day :)) and this is the third time I have been offered; for example: Chicken stew, Turkey salad or Tuna Pasta. What's the veggie option? Tuna Pasta. - No, that's fish. -Well, that's the vegetarian option. - Er, no.

I don't really have the wherewithal to fight. And don't feel too hungry so can't be bothered too much, but this is with the doctors telling me I need to build myself up, get some good nutritional food down me etc. Even when there is a veggie option, the nutritional value has not been particularly high

Now, mostly I have managed to persuade someone to make me a little sandwich. But it's the fighting for it I just feel too tired for.

AIBU to think veggie food should be on offer and should be nutritious?

If so, what should I do?

OP posts:
MoTeaVate · 27/12/2011 12:34

YANBU

Phone PALS

MoTeaVate · 27/12/2011 12:35

PS Get well soon

eurochick · 27/12/2011 12:35

YANBU. The hospital should be able to accommodate you. Do you have any friends or relatives who can bring food in for you?

ZillionChocolate · 27/12/2011 12:35

Yes I agree that there should be a veggie option. Will you be having any visitors? Maybe get the most bossy one to intervene on your behalf if you don't feel up to it. Or maybe get them to bring you something appropriate in?

bumpybecky · 27/12/2011 12:35

YANBU

do you have any visitors that can bring you real food?

WorraLiberty · 27/12/2011 12:35

So it is on offer but not every day?

Are you in the UK?

I thought they had to provide a veggie option by law?

HattiFattner · 27/12/2011 12:36

ask you other half/family to bring in food parcels....

Seriously, have some biscuits/fruit/cheese in your bedside locker to nibble on when you do feel like eating.

sitandnatter · 27/12/2011 12:36

PALS as has been suggested are very good.

Original poster
madangelhairday · 27/12/2011 12:43

DH is going to bring in some food tomorrow. Have lost 1/2 stone but that's mainly because the IVs are making me sick. However he has just asked for some fruit and they have brought me a bowl of fruit so may feel like eating some of that which is good.

I do worry about any patients without any help though who are veggie.

OP posts:
WorraLiberty · 27/12/2011 12:45

What about if they're veggie for religious reasons?

I really thought they have to provide veggie options by law Confused

meala · 27/12/2011 12:46

veggie food in hospital is appalling. I was eventually discharged early a few years ago as I was not getting better as I wasn't getting any decent food and it was agreed that it would be better if I was where I could get a balanced diet. I was offered a plate of lettuce ( very brown around the edges) with some pasta (no sauce), mashed potato was the best option I got one day and was surviving on toast when the nurses had time to make some.

YANBU. It's very important to get decent food to help recovery and it should be available.

Hope you're better soon

MrsPlesWearsAFez · 27/12/2011 12:47

YANBU

I don't understand why they think that tuna is vegetarian? Idiots.

Hope you're feeling better soon.

catsareevil · 27/12/2011 12:47

YANBU, there should be a vegetarian option.

Why would a request for a vegetarian diet be more valid if it is for religious reasons?

goldbow · 27/12/2011 12:48

Blood hell, thats shocking.

startail · 27/12/2011 12:49

UANBU
And I wish you luck and a speedy recovery.

NettoHoHoHoSuperstar · 27/12/2011 12:52

YANBU.
This happened to another MNetter recently, in fact the nurse was really rude to her and said that vegetarians do eat fish Xmas Hmm

ruddynorah · 27/12/2011 12:53

Last time I was in they ran out of food except the toppings for baked potatoes. So choice was little pot of beans or cheese or tuna. That was it.

ruddynorah · 27/12/2011 12:53

Luckily I was in with a dislocated jaw so couldn't eat anyway.

Original poster
madangelhairday · 27/12/2011 12:54

Yes am in the UK, sorry my mobile internet is taking ages to load.

It's the way I feel like I am putting them out as well, like I am being a PITA for asking for something veggie. Shouldn't be this way.

DH is cross about it and planning to complain.

I have been told I can see the dietician but she hasn't been in, understandably as it's over Christmas.

OP posts:
Thumbinnapuddingwitch · 27/12/2011 12:56

YAsoNBU! They should of course be able to accommodate your vegetarian diet with proper nutritional options.

I have to say I was quite impressed with the local hospital here in Australia - they offered a range of dietary options, including GF - and when I asked for Rice Krispies I didn't get them because (as I hadn't realised) Australian Rice Krispies contain wheat. Who knew? So I got porridge instead. Yum.

Hope you get better from whatever is keeping you in hospital soon x

Original poster
madangelhairday · 27/12/2011 12:57

Some of the people serving food have been lovely about it and went to make sandwich etc. Some quite narky and yes insisting the veggie option is fish, and won't listen. Hmm

OP posts:
Ilovefluffysheep · 27/12/2011 13:00

That is disgraceful. I'm vegetarian, and it drives me mad when people offer fish as a vegetarian option. I mean, hello?? Especially restuarants, with chefs who should know better. Would never eat there, as if they think fish is vegetarian, what else do they think is vegetarian?

I was lucky, my last op was in a private hospital (on the NHS I hasten to add through choose and book!) and consequently the food was lush, all cooked to order with loads of choices.

Bearcrumble · 27/12/2011 13:18

I know it's not the same but in an emergency would they give you an Ensure drink to make sure you are getting the calories/vitamins you need?

bigmouthstrikesagain · 27/12/2011 13:28

I was in hospital a couple of months ago for a week and had similar problems for the first few days as they try and give you the options chosen by the previous bed occupant Xmas Confused and I had to explain (several times) about the whole veggie does not mean I eat fish issue!

I also did not want to come over as a massive fusspot - but honestly surrounded by very elderly very poorly patients I was hardly given any attention as it was (fine by me) so this was the only 'trouble' I gave them.

But there was usually a meal option I could live with though - one day I had two side dishes which really troubled the HCA for some reason as she kept asking 'are you sure that is what you wanted?' but that was her problem not mine, Sorry it is difficult for you I really hope you are better and out soon - if you can be mobile then get your visitors to take you out to the hospital cafe for lunch and bing you bags of supplies.

OnemorningXmasCockMonkey · 27/12/2011 13:30

YANBU, and hope you get well soon OP. x