My friend is going into hospital for a heart op. I wondered what sort of edible treats to take in for her as she will be in there for two weeks and her husband can't visit. She probably won't feel like eating at first so I would like suggestions for some things that would keep a day or two.
Pieces of fruit spiked on little toothpicks might be refreshing, stored in a plastic box. I did this for my father. Easy to eat without plates/cutlery, no mess, and endlessly varied. (Grape, strawberry, fresh pineapple, melon, anything that doesn't go brown, ie not apple or avocado).
I moved on to small pieces of melon wrapped round with prosciutto on sticks. Anything tasty and refreshing to counteract the misery of lying in bed, and at the mercy of hospital food.
Quote from: artichoke on May 06, 2011, 21:10:34
Pieces of fruit spiked on little toothpicks might be refreshing, stored in a plastic box. I did this for my father. Easy to eat without plates/cutlery, no mess, and endlessly varied. (Grape, strawberry, fresh pineapple, melon, anything that doesn't go brown, ie not apple or avocado).
I moved on to small pieces of melon wrapped round with prosciutto on sticks. Anything tasty and refreshing to counteract the misery of lying in bed, and at the mercy of hospital food.
Prosciutto contraindicated WRT heart op surely.....
Tasty treats are a kind idea. I recently took what I was told a friend who was a patient liked (fruit wise) when visiting and found the poor soul was surrounded by that food which they were fed up with and trying to give away.
Flowers and plants used to be welcome but to day with health and safety not so. You most certainly need to take a container for flowers as the ward does not provide them and I have seen hospital visitors having to take their bouquets home with them.
Boredom seems to be the worst thing for inmates in hospital, it seems. They do want a visit of course. Try to think of interesting anecdotes to tell them when you visit rather than go through asking the usual, obvious questions about how they are. Above all be prepared to listen. You may even consider taking some old photographs to show them. It could open up conversation if the visit gets strained.
Gifts which are welcome to some are those quiz or crossword books. Take a pen too in case they don't have one.
There are some adult colouring books available with weird patterns which can be coloured in. This can be very relaxing to do but you need to take in some felt tipped pens too.
Magazines used to be a good idea but have you read the sort of popular reading these days? The stories are all about people who have got terrible problems or who have overcome some heartbreaking handicap. These can be depressing.
A book of short stories or even poems which can be picked up and put down again. It does take some effort to find that sort of thing but they are available. You know your friend and can decide on that one.
Your friend may also appreciate some 'notelets and envelopes' to write thank you letters to friends and relatives who have sent them get well cards. Or just to keep in touch.
Refreshing fragrant wipes may be appreciated, if the friend is bed bound they may want to use them to 'wash their hands' or generally freshen up.
Silly though it may sound. Exotic holiday brochures (free of charge from travel agents) Could be interesting for them to look through and give them something to talk about with other patients. Especially when they get to the price of a first class cabin with their own butler on a cruise. Just leave the brochure for them to look in when you have gone home. It is the sort of thing you can offer as a bit of an after thought as you are about to go.
Quote from: PurpleHeather on May 06, 2011, 23:47:08
Magazines used to be a good idea but have you read the sort of popular reading these days? The stories are all about people who have got terrible problems or who have overcome some heartbreaking handicap. These can be depressing.
Not much of that in "The Model Engineer" or "Model Engineer's Workshop", just interesting stuff about steam engines, tool grinders, lathes, clockbuilding etc.... try taking them ;D
No food and a diet book, it is usually the overweight people that have heart trouble. Hospital food is a carefully balanced diet.
When is it you get your "Mr Sensitive" award, Ace? ::)
Quote from: caroline7758 on May 07, 2011, 07:45:46
When is it you get your "Mr Sensitive" award, Ace? ::)
What you see is what you get.
I do not eat hospital food,not any of it,all my food has to be sent in.
I always appreciated a small platter of assorted sandwiches, cut small with crusts off.Different fillings to tempt me and made very dainty
A china cup and saucer, I cannot drink out of the thick cups or worse still the plastic oneOh and a glass, so you don't gert a plastic beaker.
A really nice tossed salad with something she may like on top.I always enjoy shrimp , but she may like ham,scotch egg etc.
Really nice homemade soup.
Favourite fruits of course and in chunks like the poster above said, or made in to a fruit salad.
After a few days when her food restrictions should be lifted, then just small but normal meals.
XX Jeannine
Nothing big, or heavily spiced.
A packet of decent biscuiuts to have with tea.
Quote from: ACE on May 07, 2011, 07:31:56
No food and a diet book, it is usually the overweight people that have heart trouble. Hospital food is a carefully balanced diet.
Thats what they tell you but reality disagrees :)
What about crafts like cross-stitch? At least you'd have something to show for 2 weeks in hospital!
Some lovely suggestions from Purpleheather and the cross stitch is good too.
For food, I would take some smoked salmon sandwiches made with decent wholegrain bread - tasty and healthy but won't keep long. Maybe a fruit cake for keeping properties and lots of flavour and fibre?
Thank you very much for your suggestions. I will bear them all in mind for when she is admitted.
When I was in hospital I found the food totally inedible. I asked for a cooked chicken and yoghurt and vegetables lots of fresh vegetables. My daughter brought in spagetti bolongese with rice still hot in foil.
Just after an op my daughter liked yogurt.
I like the soup idea, you could keep it in a thermos.
Depends on what she is feeling like.
yeh that is what a heart patent needs is dish salt and strong spices.
the reason hospital food bland is so to prevent and encourage good eating while healing. reason most people have heart trouble is bad eating habits..
The reason hospital food is bland is because they do it on a very low budget, including kitchen staff wages, so it lacks quality, variety and imagination. Nor do they necessarily reflect the nutritional needs of individual patients.
Avocadoes are very good for cholesterol and supply essential minerals and vitamins as well as fibre and, of course, flavour. May be a few of those lovely Haas avocadoes at different stages of ripeness would be good but don't forget a sharp knife and a spoon and a wee bottle of vinaigrette.
Grapefruit are good too - conatining pectin and potassium which are good for reducing cholesterol and regulating heart rates as well as lots of vitamin A and C for general health.
Pecan nuts are nice to nibble on and contain monounsaturated fats as well as vitamins and minerals which are good for cellular health so will aid recovery. They are sweeter than walnuts and good to eat on their own or with raisins if preferred. Though they contain a lot of sugar, raisins also offer minerals and antioxidant vitamins which help with hearts and blood.
I can't eat grapefruit, medication for high blood pressure :-\
make sure she can eat acidy fruits like pineapple and grapes, again, I love them but can't eat them :)