Do Hospitals Use Food For Mercy Killing?

Recently my aging “mother in love” (how cute is she?) was hospitalized for a nasty virus. Let’s just say that she had severe digestive issues. She quickly became dehydrated, malnourished and underweight. The hospital staff did a great job of making mom comfortable and getting the infection under control. However, we began to question their intentions the following morning when breakfast arrived…

When I saw her breakfast tray, I realized there could only be one of two reasons to serve horrible, inflammation-causing food in a hospital: 1) The hospital staff really doesn’t understand the impact of these disease causing foods or 2) They are trying to put patients out of their misery, using food as the vehicle. Her morning meal consisted of: cream of wheat, chocolate milk, ensure (soy-based), orange juice, vanilla pudding and hot chocolate. Even worse were the dietary suggestions they sent her home with. Understandably, she was prescribed a low fiber diet for the colitis. However, all of the suggested “food like substances” were processed and filled with sugar.

My Amazing Mother-in-Law

As a nurse who worked in the hospital for many years, I have to assume the intentions of most health care providers are good. I believe the reasoning behind these horrible anti-nutrition suggestions is a lack of knowledge in basic metabolic medicine. Likely, it also has a lot to do with cost and convenience. I find this odd, since the last time I went for a slumber party at the local hospital, my bill didn’t appear discounted for food budgeting.

Since going through fellowship training at the American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine, I truly believe that everything you put on the end of your fork matters! We know food is medicine or it is poison! Yet, we feed people in hospitals, drug rehabilitation centers, homeless shelters, prisons and schools the worst food! Maybe I’m delusional, but I’m thinking these are the people who are the most vulnerable, who need nutritious, healing food more than anyone. Can I get an “Amen”?

So, back to mom. To recap, her breakfast consisted of: gluten, dairy, soy, sugar and corn (starch). She was eating an “Anti Brain Warrior” diet. If you know anything about The Brain Warrior’s Way or The Omni Diet, these are the things I have people eliminate for at least the first two weeks.

Most people start the Brain Warrior’s Way meal plan or the Omni Diet because they are suffering from one of the following: obesity, high cholesterol, inflammation, digestive issues, acne, chronic pain, brain fog, high blood sugar, skin problems or migraines. At the Amen Clinics, some of our best testimonials come from our nutrition department, utilizing these simple principles.

So what can you do to make sure you or your loved one don’t fall prey to “mercy killing by food” if you find yourself on an overnighter in the hospital?

  • Have someone bring you food. Make sure it’s an approved diet for our condition.
  • Request gluten free, low glycemic, dairy free. Most hospitals will accommodate.
  • Have a healthy menu plan ready for your return home.

Here’s an example of the low-fiber/ high nutrient menu I helped create for mom:

Many of these recipes are on my website. They can also be found in “The Brain Warrior’s Way Cookbook”, and “The Omni Diet”.

Related Blogs

5 Weird Ways Alcohol Tricks Your Brain
I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again. Alcohol is not a health food!...
Do You Need to Break Up With Sugar?
People don’t usually lump sugar into the same category as addictive drugs like heroin and...
Improve Gut Health Naturally with These Foods
If your gut is not happy, your brain is not happy—and, in all likelihood, neither...
5 Brain-Friendly Ingredients to Add to Your Smoothie Today!
I love smoothies! You probably do too. Some smoothies, however, are just calorie bombs filled...
5 Ways Kindness Boosts Your Emotional Well-Being
Did you know that giving is the gift that keeps on giving? That’s right—showing kindness...
Best Supplements to Support Gut Health
We know that keeping the gut healthy is crucial for the optimal well-being of the...
The Many Benefits (and Potential Dangers) of Cold Plunges
After braving some morning cold plunge sessions by myself for a few days in our...
6 Superfoods to Supercharge Mental Health
One of my favorite sayings is, “Food is medicine, or it is poison.” What you...
Embracing Solitude: How to Make the Most of Alone Time
Do you fill up every minute of your day with activities because you hate the...