New Report On Why Healthcare Settings Should Go Plant-Based By Default

A new report and open letter are urging UK healthcare settings to transition to serving plant-based food by default due to its health and environmental benefits. Despite broad support from patients and staff, very few NHS trusts are currently planning to increase plant-based options in their menus as part of their sustainability plans. The report highlights successful examples, such as New York City public hospitals, where 90 percent of patients are satisfied with plant-based meals and food-related emissions have been significantly reduced.

Currently, NHS hospital menus are lacking in plant-based options, with only 1.5 plant-based mains per week on average compared to six mains containing red meat. Most people agree that hospital menus need to change, with a large majority supporting the addition of plant-based options. The report recommends healthcare institutions commit to a plant-based by default approach, alongside providing education on plant-based nutrition for healthcare professionals and adopting plant-based catering at events and meetings.