Whipped Spread :o

I spent most of last week in the hospital for abdominal surgery and had the displeasure of eating hospital food. The food was so bad that if I have to live on it on a daily basis, I'd be back in the hospital suffering from malnutrition. The first 2 days were a liquid diet, consisting of pureed foods, like chicken noodle soup and oatmeal. It went downhill when they put me on solid foods. 2 slices of roast pork with mashed potatoes and gravy were cooked with no salt. The pork was dry and one of the toughest meats I've ever eaten. And, of course gummy white bread or a biscuit serves with "whipped spread". What the hell is this stuff? Imitation margarine? I came home on Thursday and Saturday night I had pizza and wings.

"Whipped spread" is indeed margarine. Or perhaps worse. Given what we know about trans-fats, I'm surprised that a hospital would be serving such stuff to its patients.

-Paul W.

Besides the food, hope you're feeling better Howie!

[Robin Garr]

Besides the food, hope you're feeling better Howie!

Yes! More important than whipped spread, feel better, Howie!

[Robin Garr]

"Whipped spread" is indeed margarine. Or perhaps worse. Given what we know about trans-fats, I'm surprised that a hospital would be serving such stuff to its patients.

A kind concern, but dated. Well aware of the trans-fat issues, the industry has responded. Brummell & Brown, Promise, Country Crock, I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter and Imperial soft spreads are all trans-fat free. Personally, for taste and food quality, I’d rather have real (organic) butter and use it in moderation. But for one under doctor’s orders, these alternatives can be acceptable to the taste buds and safe for heart health.

I only have real butter in my house. I'm feeling better, but not well yet. I hope I'm feeling well enough to visit my sister in Maine in about 2 weeks. I need to get my lobster fix.

[Jenise]

"Whipped spread" is indeed margarine. Or perhaps worse. Given what we know about trans-fats, I'm surprised that a hospital would be serving such stuff to its patients.

A kind concern, but dated. Well aware of the trans-fat issues, the industry has responded. Brummell & Brown, Promise, Country Crock, I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter and Imperial soft spreads are all trans-fat free. Personally, for taste and food quality, I’d rather have real (organic) butter and use it in moderation. But for one under doctor’s orders, these alternatives can be acceptable to the taste buds and safe for heart health.

Robin, you're right. I use one in addition to butter--started when the doctor wife of a friend, who is also a super health Nazi, outlawed butter in their household and went to the kind of product you name. I figured she knows a lot more than I do, so I'd follow suit!

And yes, Howie: feel better soon!

Wow - I thought most hospitals had tried to up their game at least a little when it comes to food. Sounds terrible!

Glad to hear you're back home and on the mend, Howie.

Real Butter Wishes to you, Howie!