Spring 2010

Hospital food
gets a makeover.
EATING
WELL
meals that heal
Ask chef Frank Turner why he known to have healing qualities,
ditched the fried chicken and Jell-o like the anti-inﬂ ammatory spice
cups found in most hospitals for turmeric. The best part, though, is
organic and local produce, home- that Turner’s food is delicious. “I
made sauces and whole foods and have a mandate,” he says. “If we
he responds with a question: “Isn’t wouldn’t serve it in a restaurant
it most important to eat healthy down the street, we won’t serve it
when you’re trying to get well? here.” Here are some simple ways
That’s when your body needs the you can help make your hospital fully at home (some hospitals, like
most nutrients.” Good point. meals healthier, says Turner: Henry Ford West Bloomﬁ eld, even
When Henry Ford West Ask questions. Request that your offer cooking classes).
Bloomﬁ eld Hospital in Michigan, hospital’s nutritionist hold off on Eat healing foods. Healthy
where Turner works, opened in fried foods or those with high meals boost your immunity and
2008 it joined a new trend of amounts of saturated fat. Opt to speed healing. Load up on fruits
serving healthful fare in hospitals. have foods prepared in a more and veggies high in vitamins A and
As executive chef and director of healthful way (such as steaming C (think carrots and citrus) as well
food and nutrition, Turner maxi- vegetables) during your stay. as iron and zinc, found in spinach.
mizes the nutrients in the meals he Make better choices. If you’re Don’t add salt and sugar.
and his staff serve by making every- looking for comfort food, choose a Processed foods like chicken
thing from scratch (this increases baked potato instead of French cutlets and fruit cocktail contain
vitamins and minerals) and fries, or turkey meatloaf over a oodles of both. Cut back to curb
lowering the amount of salt, fat burger. Ask the nutritionist for high blood pressure and diabetes
and sugar. He also cooks with foods advice on how to eat more health- and allow food’s ﬂ avors to shine.
EASY IN-BED EXERCISES What’s in your bag?
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D Check with your doctor before doing these exercises and avoid any
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Pack these items to make your hospital room
movement that causes you pain. To begin, elevate the back of your bed
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P
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E
feel a little more like home.
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C
to 45 degrees. Sit up tall, supporting your lower back with pillows.
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MP3 player. Block out the monitor beeps, ringing
/

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.
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Chest and Shoulder Opener Lace your ﬁ ngers behind your phones and nurses’ chatter with a playlist of
head, opening your elbows wide to each side. Inhale deeply, ﬁ lling relaxing tunes.
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H your lungs as you arch your upper back and look up (stop if this causes
K
C
O
any neck pain). Exhale as you bring your spine back to neutral and Photos. Whether it’s a snapshot of your kids, your

I
S
T
move your elbows in toward your face. Relax for a breath, then repeat spouse or your dog, a recent study at the University
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;

©
the opening and closing movement ﬁ ve times. of California, Los Angeles, showed that just seeing a
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A
picture of a loved one can reduce pain.
S
P
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O

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2
Ribcage Breathing Rest your palms on either side of your torso,
spreading your ﬁ ngers wide along the front of your ribcage. Inhale Sourballs. These hard candies quench your thirst
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E
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M
O
deeply through your nose and notice your ribcage expanding with the when you’re not allowed to drink ﬂ uids before
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B inhalation. Exhale out of your mouth slowly as you gently draw your surgery or if meds are making your mouth dry.
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S
belly in. Repeat ﬁ ve times.

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Pen and paper. Leave them within
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Y

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easy reach so you can jot down
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E
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3
Gentle Pelvic Tilt Bend your knees, placing the soles of
your feet ﬂ at on the bed, arms at your sides with palms ﬂ at questions for your doc when
H
H

A
T F

O on the bed. Inhale through your nose as you lift your chest, they pop into your head.
Y

E
.
R
E
S
Y

T
lengthen your neck and slightly arch your spine. Exhale out of
A R
M U
your mouth as you round your back, gently tucking your pelvis Eye mask and earplugs.
F

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P
:
under and drawing your belly in. Return to sitting up straight, These will help you get
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Y

O
T
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R Pucker up!
more rest when you need it,
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M
then repeat ﬁ ve times. —teri hanson
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C F
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day or night.
the patient magazine 2010 7
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