Hospitals In Portugal To Expand Plant-Based Menu Options

Four major hospitals in Lisbon, Portugal, are expanding their plant-based menu options in an effort to promote sustainable and healthy eating. This initiative is part of the Sustainable Meals program, launched by ProVeg Portugal, aiming to raise awareness about the environmental and health impacts of dietary choices.

ProVeg Portugal has partnered with leading caterer ITAU to train hospital catering teams to improve and expand plant-based meal options. Nutrition experts will develop tailored plant-based recipes for hospital cafeterias. Portugal became the first country in the world to legally require all public canteens to serve plant-based meal options in 2017, following a campaign by the Portuguese Vegetarian Association.

The move follows similar initiatives in New York City, where plant-based meals have become the default option in public hospitals. This switch led to cost savings and reduced carbon emissions, with more than 100 US hospitals now offering plant-based menus. ProVeg Portugal hopes that expanding plant-based options in hospitals will serve as a powerful lever for climate action and promote healthier lifestyles.