More hospitals proactive about healthier food

Quality hospital food isn’t necessarily an oxymoron.

More hospitals, including those in the Fox Valley, are reworking menus to make them healthier and appealing. The Partnership for a Healthier America recently announced as many as 400 more hospitals across the country, which use Morrison Healthcare Food Services, are joining the organization’s program to offer healthier options to patients, visitors and employees.

ThedaCare, which operates Appleton Medical Center and Theda Clark Medical Center in Neenah, and Affinity Health System, the parent of St. Elizabeth Hospital, of Appleton, are part of the program.

Participating hospitals are asked to offer a daily low-calorie meal and children’s healthy meal in their cafeterias and on patients’ menus.

The Appleton Post-Crescent said the hospitals must also increase the amount of fruits and veggies they offer and remove fryers and deep-fried products.