Ideas on what to bring to eat in hospitals?

batweaselx

I'm wondering if anybody has any ideas of what to bring to eat while visiting in hospital? My boyfriend is currently in hospital for the next 6 weeks or so and I'm visiting him almost everyday for the majority of the day and so far I'm exsisting on packaged sandwiches, crisps, chocolate and lucozade! I live quite a distance from the hospital and my routine is completly gone. So i need something convenient thats healthy too as I need to keep my strength up. Has anyone had similar experiences?

Stella89

Water is no .1

Bannana's ,blueberries , nuts , popcorn , youghurt, . .


oh and fresh air every once and a while too .

olaola

What about homemade picnic style food - sambos, cooked chicken, salads?

rubadub

If you get a wide mouth thermos flask you could bring spag bol or curries, or thick soups etc. You can pour boiling water in the flask to preheat it, then put piping hot food in so it stays warm well.

aoibhebree

Just get into a routine of packing a healthy lunch in the mornings, maybe a lunchbox of salad or homemade sandwiches, that kind of thing.

If you're in the hospital all day, try and get out for an hour at lunch to get a bit of fresh air (also I hate the idea of eating in the hospital - I'm a bit of a germ-phobic!)

Drink plenty of water to, it can be very warm and stuffy and you could get dehydrated very easily.

Remember that you need to keep yourself in good health so that you can be there for your boyfriend!

Best wishes, and I hope he gets better soon x

dudara

I know that you're tired but you have to get organised in the evenings and make salads (or meals that can be eaten cold). If you're friends with any of the hospital staff, they might let you use a microwave. A thermos flask with homemade soup is also a great idea.

Good luck to you and your boyfriend.

all_smilz

Good luck with it....
i agree with everyones suggestions so far just make sure ur not overloading the lockers....
as a nurse i abhor the site of a locker covered in 7up and lucozade bottles and boxes of sweets and rotting fruit.... the lockers are there for the patients personal belongings not as an unsafe food storage facility.
usually you can bring in stuff like yogurts or chilled foods and ask the staff if they can label it for your bf to be eaten as he needs....
LOTS of water!

foodaholic

the staff wont have any problem storing any food you bring in with you i the fridge, make sure u label it. And the kitchen staff will heat it up for u every ward has a microwave, I really like comfort food when Im sick, shepherds pie ect. And if your feeling lazy and as a treat ask the nursing staff for local takeaways!

BaileysComet

If you are allowed access to a microwave then there are lots of canned foods you could bring with you. These would be easy to carry around with you.

Things like Spaghetti Hoops/Pasta Shapes (okay I know they're supposed to be for kids). Peas/Beans - if you're okay with eating them on their own. Not the healthiest of options but ready-made burgers or hot dogs could be nice.

batweaselx

Thanks guys, your ideas were great..it's seems to work well once I plan ahead!

Waterfall1975

Cereal bars, nice ones.

ncmc

I was in the same boat as my hubby was in hospital for several weeks recently. Actually he was in twice over a short time period, the first time, I ate nothing but junk, ended up practically starving myself and ending up in there beside him!

The second time, I made sure I was eating properly, taking time to myself and getting out of the hospital for a while. The difference was unbelievable, I was so much stronger, physically and emotionally and as a result, I was able to be strong for my hubby when he needed it.

I hope you don't take this the wrong way, but is there a reason why you intend to spend nearly all day in the hospital? I know you proabably want to keep your bf company, but I think the reality is that you will drive yourself crazy if you are spending all day every day in the hospital. I think you will get very run down very quickly if you spend so much time there. And you are no good to him if you are run down, sick and emotional. Also, in my experience, the nurses don't want visitors there all day as it impeeds their work.

Anyway, back to the OP, i agree with previous posters, the catering staff should be happy enough to let you use their microwave, so you can bring in your leftovers or a tasty caseroule or soup and have that.

I really hope everything goes ok for you and your bf has a speedy recovery. Best of luck.

madmaggie

Please remember to bring in some fresh fruit/juice to the patient. I was in hospital earlier this year, no fruit/juice, fresh or otherwise while I was there. Went on mad smoothie binge when I got home!:P

The_Conductor

madmaggie wrote: »

Please remember to bring in some fresh fruit/juice to the patient. I was in hospital earlier this year, no fruit/juice, fresh or otherwise while I was there. Went on mad smoothie binge when I got home!:P

Make sure you clarify with the nurse what is suitable to bring into your boyfriend. Also- chemotherapy does change the way you taste food a lot- so don't automatically assume that something he normally likes will still appeal to him in the same way.

The very best of good wishes to you batweaselx- please make sure you take care of yourself too- you are no good to either you or your boyfriend if you're exhausted and shattered from all the travelling.

Hugs,

SMcCarrick