Starting July 9, our inpatient menus will be updated, so it’s easier for patients to choose a plant-forward meal option.

In case you receive questions from patients, we want to ensure you understand what the updates are—and what’s remaining the same.

Will everything be plant-based now?

No. All our same items will remain available; people may just need to be more specific when ordering. These updates are intended to give more flexibility, so people have more choice in whether they’d like to add protein—and if so, which one.

For example, in place of a standard salmon stir fry, the updated menu has a vegetable stir fry that gives people the option to add protein: salmon, grilled chicken, vegetarian Gardein Chick’n, or tofu.

What’s plant-forward?

Plant-forward diets focus on high-fiber foods like whole grains and oat products, as well as seasonal fruits and vegetables. There is a focus on plant proteins, though the diet still includes meat protein like lean cuts of poultry, eggs, and fish.

There are health benefits to this type of diet, so while they’re in our care, we want it to be easy for patients to choose plant-forward options.

Are any items being removed or added?

No items have been removed from the menu—all the familiar favorites will still be available.

In a special menu insert, patients will see seasonal plant-forward specials, along with health tips about the benefits of incorporating more plant-forward items into their diet. You’ll can also try some of those seasonal plant-forward specials at cafeteria action stations.