Mayor Adams, NYC H+H CEO Katz Announce Successful Rollout and Expansion of Plant-Based Meals as Defa

September 28, 2022

NYC Well being + Hospitals/Lincoln, Metropolitan, and Woodhull Now Serving
More healthy and Extra Sustainable Dinners

New Initiative Builds on Plant-Based mostly Lunch Program With 95 % Satisfaction Charge

NEW YORK – New York Metropolis Mayor Eric Adams andNew York Metropolis Well being + Hospitals (H+H) CEO Dr. Mitchell H. Katz immediately introduced that culturally numerous plant-based meals at the moment are the first dinner choices for inpatients at H+H/Lincoln, Metropolitan, and Woodhull Hospitals. The dinner program expands on the well being care system’s profitable plant-based lunch default program — launched in March of this 12 months — which now boasts a 95 % satisfaction fee.

“In terms of stopping diet-related power illness, there’s a rising recognition that it’s not our DNA — it’s our dinner,” stated Mayor Adams. “Since January, now we have launched Plant-Powered Fridays into faculties, launched recent produce into the nation’s solely municipal emergency meals system, and expanded Plant-Based mostly Way of life Drugs Clinics to public hospitals throughout all 5 boroughs. Now, we’re proud to announce the profitable rollout and enlargement of default plant-based lunch and dinner choices in any respect H+H websites. This transformative program is already altering lives, empowering sufferers to take management of their very own well being and additional cementing New York Metropolis as a frontrunner in preventive medication.”
  
“Within the occasion we or a beloved one needs to be within the hospital, we should always know that the meals served might be comforting, tasty, and well being selling,” stated Deputy Mayor for Well being and Human Providers Anne Williams-Isom. “Increasing plant-based choices helps us do exactly that. Thanks to our meals service companions and affected person navigators for making this initiative each scrumptious and profitable.”

“As a major care doctor, I converse with all of my sufferers concerning the significance of a nutritious diet and the way it might help fend off or deal with power situations like kind 2 diabetes, hypertension, and coronary heart illness,” stated NYC Well being + Hospitals President and CEO Mitchell Katz, MD. “Our new meal program is rooted in proof for well being advantages and environmental sustainability, and expands on the success of our Meatless Mondays Program.”

NYC H+H Plant Based mostly Dish: Southern Black-eye Pea Casserole with Plant Based mostly Corn Bread topped with Plant Based mostly Shredded Cheese

Annually, H+H serves about 3 million meals for lunch and dinner. About half of all inpatients are eligible for plant-based dishes, and 60 % have chosen them because the plant-based default program was launched — contributing to roughly 864,000 plant-based meals per 12 months being served. It additionally builds on the Meatless Mondays initiative — launched in 2019 — in collaboration with then-Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams.

Sufferers thought-about high-risk, those that are prescribed a particular food plan, or given a referral can meet with one in every of greater than 100 registered H+H dieticians to be taught extra about the advantages of a plant-based food plan. There are 14 new plant-based choices with a variety provided every day. The meals are impressed by the flavors of Latin, Asian, and different cuisines that characterize the well being system’s numerous affected person inhabitants. Thai noodle bowls, Spanish vegetable paella with yellow rice, and a Southern black-eyed pea casserole are simply a number of the new, “chef’s selection” choices being provided to sufferers at these three websites. Meals Service Associates work with sufferers on meal selection and choice from the start of their keep till they’re discharged, and encourage them to decide on wholesome meals as a part of their therapeutic and restoration plan of care.

“Meals is medication, particularly in our moments of illness. Nutritious, wholesome meals must be accessible wherever New Yorkers are, however particularly in establishments that should restore well being,” stated New York Metropolis Division of Well being and Psychological Hygiene Commissioner Dr. Ashwin Vasan. “It begins with us, and we should lead by instance, so this is a vital step ahead. Congratulations to Well being + Hospitals for making nutritious and scrumptious plant-based meals the default choice for sufferers who’re there to heal and to return to well being.”

“These new recipes have been taste-tested and authorized by lots of our sufferers and employees, and we’re excited for everybody to attempt them,” stated Dr. Michelle McMacken, govt director, Workplace of Vitamin and Way of life Drugs, NYC Well being + Hospitals. “The brand new meals are scrumptious, nutritious, and rooted in communities throughout New York Metropolis, from sancocho to pad thai to falafel.”

“As a registered dietitian I’m grateful that plant-based meals are being acknowledged as important for the well being of New Yorkers and our sufferers,” stated Mercedes Redwood, MS, RD, assistant vice chairman for administration companies, NYC Well being + Hospitals. “We’ve labored carefully with our cooks and scientific dietitians to provide a menu that’s culturally acceptable, tasty, and positive to reinforce our sufferers eating expertise.”

“Throughout the town, we’re striving to make the wholesome selection the better selection,” stated Kate MacKenzie, govt director, Mayor’s Workplace of Meals Coverage. “As we proceed to broaden the administration’s purpose of guaranteeing entry to scrumptious and nutritious meals for all New Yorkers, the implementation and enlargement of this program spotlight how metropolis services can lead on encouraging wholesome life-style modifications.”

Non-plant-based choices proceed to be accessible and are provided in accordance with a affected person’s prescribed food plan. ​

Plant-based vitamin is a method of cooking and consuming that emphasizes, however is just not essentially restricted to, vegatables and fruits, complete grains, legumes, nuts and seeds, plant oils, and herbs and spices, and displays evidence-based rules of well being and sustainability. Scientific analysis has proven that plant-based consuming patterns are linked to considerably decrease danger of heart problems, Sort 2 diabetes, weight problems, and sure cancers. They may also be efficient for weight administration, in addition to remedy of sure power ailments, together with Sort 2 diabetes, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia.

H+H plans to supply plant-based dinner choices in any respect hospitals this fall, and, by 12 months’s finish, plans to supply plant-based dietary supplements and tube feeds. The system plans to introduce the plant-based menu choices to post-acute care services by January.

“The well being and well-being of all New Yorkers was strengthened immediately by the mayor’s announcement of plant-based meals in NYC hospitals, stated New York Metropolis Councilmember Lynn Schulman, chair, Committee on Well being. “As somebody who has devoted my private {and professional} life to healthcare advocacy, it’s great to see the rollout and enlargement of a program to make New Yorkers more healthy, particularly those that discover themselves as sufferers in our metropolis’s public hospital system.”

“New Yorkers receiving care at our H + H hospitals deserve not solely top-notch medical care however entry to nutritious meals that tastes nice, too,” stated New York Metropolis Councilmember Justin Brannan. “Being in a hospital is difficult sufficient, and the mealtime shouldn’t make it more durable. As a vegetarian myself, I’m thrilled that H + H system might be offering culturally delicate and plant-based meals to their sufferers across the metropolis. Let’s hope this begins a brand new pattern throughout the nation.”

“The meals on our plate has an affect on our well being, and analysis reveals that plant-based diets enhance wellbeing,” stated New York Metropolis Councilmember Gale A. Brewer. “I applaud Mayor Adams for his continued efforts to get New Yorkers to suppose extra critically about their meals, and for increasing meals choices in faculties and hospitals.”
  
“I thank Mayor Eric Adams and his administration for working along with NYC Well being + Hospitals President & CEO Dr. Katz for the profitable implementation of plant-based meal choices for NYC hospitals,” stated New York Metropolis Councilmember Oswald Feliz. “Well being and wellness are important parts for the success of our constituents and their households. Offering plant-based meal choices will support within the combat in opposition to power ailments that has impacted residents in my neighborhood in addition to assist in stopping the onset of latest ailments. I imagine that a good way to sort out power situations comparable to Sort 2 diabetes, hypertension and coronary heart illness is by combining wholesome meals choices and following the remedy plan of the healthcare supplier. Care that includes plant-based meals choices that’s not solely nutritious, but in addition scrumptious will be sure that New Yorkers reside longer and more healthy lives.”

“All New Yorkers deserve entry to wholesome, nutritious meals,” stated New York Metropolis Councilmember Sandy Nurse. “The initiative by Mayor Adams and NYC H+H to broaden plant-based meals at our public hospitals is a good way to encourage inpatients to undertake wholesome consuming habits and enhance sustainability in our metropolis’s meals programs. We should always broaden plant-based meal choices throughout public companies and combine plant-based meals as a direct diabetes prevention and administration technique in all places we are able to.”
  
“It’s no secret that Bronx county has struggled to interrupt a vicious cycle that has earned the borough the title of being New York’s unhealthiest county,” stated New York Metropolis Councilmember Rafael Salamanca, Jr. “Poor diets attributable to restricted entry to wholesome meals has led many Bronxites to undergo from extreme well being points comparable to weight problems, hypertension, and heart problems. Because the Adams’ administration works to create and broaden more healthy meals habits and choices within the metropolis, I’m thrilled NYC Well being + Hospitals’ wildly profitable plant-based menu at Lincoln Hospital, one in every of three metropolis hospitals chosen to take part within the plant-based meals pilot program, has paved the way in which for a city-wide rollout. Past the plain well being indicators, immediately’s announcement reveals that Bronxites are resoundingly selecting a more healthy life-style.”

“This is a vital step in direction of meals justice and permitting individuals choices. Everybody deserves to have selection in what they put of their physique and the selections they make about their well being,” stated New York Metropolis Councilmember Althea Stevens.

“Variety in our hospital dietary menus is extraordinarily vital, particularly for sufferers with various wants,” stated New York Metropolis Councilmember Marjorie Velazquez. “Implementing a plant-based choice addresses these well being issues and gives households an opportunity to not fear about discovering appropriate meal choices for his or her family members. For others, it is a life-style they select as they work in direction of having a more healthy food plan that meets their well being targets. I’m excited to see communities throughout the town have entry to choices that meet their dietary wants and replicate the various cultures of New York Metropolis.”

“We proceed to be taught all of the methods vitamin performs a important position in our total well being and the way small changes can result in constructive long-term outcomes. Mayor Adams and our public well being system have been nice advocates on this matter, NYC Well being + Hospitals specifically weaves vitamin training by means of their major and preventative care packages,” stated Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso. “It’s nice to know that sufferers at our public hospitals may have additional entry to plant-based meals that can encourage them to combine such recipes of their meals at house.”

Senator Brad Hoylman stated “Plant-based consuming is sweet for the atmosphere, good for animals, and, better of all, good for you. That’s why I sponsored the regulation that ensures a plant-based meal choice in all hospitals for all sufferers. I’m glad Mayor Adams and Dr. Katz are taking it to the subsequent degree by making plant-based consuming the default, with new, scrumptious choices to select from.”

“Offering entry to wholesome, plant-based meals in NYC Public Hospitals is a superb initiative to assist assist sufferers’ well-being and providing culturally numerous choices permits extra communities in our numerous mosaic of a Metropolis to profit,” stated Assemblymember Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn. “With elevated entry to wholesome meals, we stand a better likelihood of sustaining wholesome habits, and I applaud NYC Well being and Hospital and thank Mayor Eric Adams’ initiatives to offer extra New Yorkers with wholesome selections.”

Assemblymember Al Taylor stated “Well being is wealth and on the subject of wholesome residing and environmental sustainability, plant-based meals are the longer term.  I am thrilled New York Metropolis is main the way in which as soon as once more by increasing plant-based meal choices in our public hospitals. By way of this program not solely will sufferers have entry to tasty, nutritious, culturally numerous plant-based meal choices, they are going to have extra instruments to take management of their wellbeing whereas additionally making a constructive affect on the environment.  Thanks to everybody who made this program attainable!” 

“Not solely can plant-based meals supply well being and environmental advantages, in addition they style nice. Making plant-based meal choices accessible for sufferers in our public hospitals is a welcome step. I hope we are going to construct on this success to encourage extra New Yorkers to include plant-based meals into their existence,” stated Assemblymember Harvey Epstein. 

Assemblymember Jenifer Rajkumar stated “As somebody who has loved the plant-based life-style since faculty, I do know its energy to make us more healthy. A life freed from Sort 2 diabetes, hypertension, weight problems, and coronary heart illness is achievable. Research present {that a} food plan excessive in vegatables and fruits can cut back danger of heart problems by 30%, reduce breast most cancers danger by 11%, and is nearly as good as treatment at reducing blood stress. At present, the Mayor is making plant-based meals the default choice for sufferers in our metropolis’s hospitals, which is able to give them the increase they want for a speedy restoration and encourage a wholesome life-style when they’re discharged. A wholesome metropolis is a thriving metropolis, and I sit up for partnering with Mayor Adams on this life-changing program.”

“The American Coronary heart Affiliation recommends that folks eat wholesome sources of protein derived largely from crops (legumes and nuts), eat loads of vegatables and fruits, and select meals made largely with complete grains moderately than refined grains,” stated Rafael Ortiz, M.D., president, American Coronary heart Affiliation Board of Administrators in New York Metropolis and chief, Neuro-Endovascular Surgical procedure, Lenox Hill Hospital. “These pointers, whereas not unique to a plant-based food plan, clearly illustrate the significance of plant meals to selling good well being.”

“A nutritious diet performs an vital position in sustaining good well being. NYC Well being + Hospitals’ transition to plant-based meals demonstrates that the nation’s largest public well being system can also be an revolutionary chief on the subject of selling public well being and bettering affected person outcomes,” stated New York State Nurses Affiliation First Vice President Judith Cutchin, DNP, RN.

“Good well being begins with good vitamin,” stated Michael Davoli, senior authorities relations director, American Most cancers Society Most cancers Motion Community (ACS CAN). “Analysis has proven that poor food plan and never being energetic are key components that may improve an individual’s most cancers danger. We’re happy that Mayor Adams and NYC Well being + Hospitals are persevering with to advertise wholesome consuming and to take away the limitations which are stopping many New Yorkers from residing a wholesome life-style.”

“Growing the variety of wholesome plant-based choices that sufferers and employees have to select from is a transparent win-win. Offering culturally numerous choices might help sufferers expertise ‘meals as medication’ firsthand and encourage wholesome consuming habits to take again house to their households,” stated Dr. Catherine Collings, president, The American School of Way of life Drugs.

“The American Institute for Most cancers Analysis (AICR) applauds NYC Well being + Hospitals for providing healthful, plant-based meal choices to sufferers within the hospital,” stated Sheena Patel, director of vitamin packages, American Institute for Most cancers Analysis. “Diets that put nutrient-rich plant meals first like greens, fruits, complete grains, beans, nuts and seeds are one in every of AICR’s core suggestions to cut back most cancers danger and for wholesome survivorship. Plant meals present a wide range of nutritional vitamins, minerals, fiber and phytochemicals which are recognized to be most cancers protecting. We assist NYC Well being + Hospitals’ efforts to make plant-based meals the star of the plate.”

“NYC Registered Dietitian Nutritionists, and RDNs all throughout the nation, are ecstatic to see plant-based meal choices at NYC Well being + Hospitals. The hospital setting is the right place to supply a healthful, plant-centric consuming plan and encourage sufferers to get pleasure from meals that nourish and promote well being. The varied taste choices will particularly encourage inpatients on particular diets to satisfy their wants,” stated Theresa Gentile, MS, RDN, CDN, New York Metropolis media spokesperson, New York State Academy of Vitamin and Dietetics.

###