Hospital food always comes in for some stick and this is usually from people who don’t have any dietary requirements. They may complain about dry shepherd’s pie and lumpy crumble, but try an overnight stay on a restricted diet.
I’ve ended up in hospital twice since I was diagnosed with coeliac disease and lactose intolerance.
The first time was to have a baby. As you have your hospital bag packed well in advance, I had thought this through in a big way. ‘Tea and toast’ is offered by the midwives after the excruciating fun of childbirth, so that was not going to happen for me. But I thought to bring a handy Lactofree portion pack so I could drink the tea, at least.
I also needed snacks for energy so I stocked up on dark chocolate and Tesco’s jelly beans and cola bottle sweets for a quick sugar fix. I am also a Coke Zero addict so that was packed, too.
I loaded up a cool bag in the car with lots of fruit (which I craved after having my first daughter, Megan, before I was diagnosed), safe sandwiches, cheese and butter (Lactofree). I also packed gluten-free bread, crackers and cereal in case I was in overnight. In the end, I left nine hours after having Amalie so I didn’t need most of it. All I wanted after the birth was a sweet fix – so I demolished A LOT of Udi’s cinnamon and sugar bagel chips, which are delicious.
I was back in hospital for surgery the other week and was actually very impressed. I was in as a day case. Again, I brought a little pack-up in case I couldn’t have anything.
The side-effects and its severity differ from person to person. buy super cialis Even the doctors would suggest a person with viagra india prices when asked for the best medicine for erectile dysfunction. In short, a massage is one cialis 5 mg http://djpaulkom.tv/dj-paul-explains-evolution-of-da-mafia-6ix-movement/ of the best options treating the condition in spite of all this, these anti ED medicines are available in different forms of consumption and taken by mouth only. The development of generic viagra for woman was to help increase size, girth, and power of an erection over time. The housekeepers were very helpful, though, and checked out my options. I only had a choice of two salads – but it was something – and I went for a ham salad.
I did have a sneaky gluten-free sandwich I had stashed in my bag, too. I also got a huge cup of tea and was offered Lactofree milk as one of the nurses had some. Amazing service.
I am so complicated (I have problems with fructose, too) that I don’t actually expect anyone to cater for me. If it was just gluten-free or lactose-free then fair enough but I know both together is a fair old ask.
Anyway, my advice if you are going into hospital is that if you are in as a day case – and you don’t like salad – then bring something with you. If you are going in electively or to have a baby, try to warn the ward so they can order a free-from option for you. Again, if there is something you really want, then bring it with you. Non-fridge items are the best. UHT Lactofree milk is my saviour – I take it everywhere.
I know another coeliac who stayed in hospital for a week and had gluten-free toast and curries and puddings (she ate a lot of rice pudding that week). But she was frustrated by the lack of gluten-free choice in the hospital shops and vending machines and had to rely on visitors armed with snacks.
Give us a taste of your experiences of hospital food… good or bad. We’d love to hear from you.
By Karen Woodford, coeliac disease, lactose & frutose intolerance