17 replies to this topic

[rachelh4207]

Can they do that? I never eat anything that ANYBODY has cooked. I am so scared about having the baby! It is number 5 for us though so Dh can't take care of the others plus bring me food three times per day (hospital is 1 hour away) So what should I do? Any advise? I know my doctor said he would "order" me a gluten free diet but what about cross contamination?

[kareng]

From most of the experiences I have heard, it is very unlikely you would get a really gluten-free meal at a hospital. Pack a small cooler & a bag of food or have someone bring in food. You should be able to eat packaged things like milk, jello, yogurt that the hospital has.

You could talk to the dietary staff ahead of time. If it were me, I wouldn't want to add a gluten reaction to all of the just had a baby stuff. Its probably only 3 meals anyway.

[rachelh4207]

Well for me, It will be more than that. I have to have another c-section so it will be three full days. With two of my children I have stayed more like 4 or 5 because they had to go to the NICU. After all the surgery and stuff, I CAN'T risk getting glutened. My sister in law works for the hospital so I thought about asking her if she could talk to all the nurses and see if they would keep me food in there refrigerator and bring me stuff as I need it. I am also scared to even eat something "gluten free" from chic fila or somewhere. I never tolerate eating out good period!

[JillianLindsay]

I was just in hospital overnight Tuesday to Wednesday and got a gluten-free breakfast Wednesday morning. It sucked, but it was gluten-free. It was krispy rice cereal (I think envirokidz), a gluten-free muffin, and coffee and orange juice. No fruit, no protein, just carbs, but I did not get sick from it. For the big day (I'm due Nov. 6), I will definitely bring some of my own food, but my hospital is able to provide gluten-free food too. I double-checked when they dropped it off and it said gluten-free on the paper that came with the meal.

Can they do that? I never eat anything that ANYBODY has cooked. I am so scared about having the baby! It is number 5 for us though so Dh can't take care of the others plus bring me food three times per day (hospital is 1 hour away) So what should I do? Any advise? I know my doctor said he would "order" me a gluten free diet but what about cross contamination?

[rachelh4207]

For the big day (I'm due Nov. 6), I will definitely bring some of my own food, but my hospital is able to provide gluten-free food too. I double-checked when they dropped it off and it said gluten-free on the paper that came with the meal.

That's awesome to hear. I plan to contact the hospital and maybe even run by and talk to the people in the cafeteria to see what options I have. Maybe if I do my homework now, my sister in law can push them to order some stuff if they don't have a lot. Hey, it is worth a shot. I plan to bring stuff too, I just would love the option of them being able to bring me food too. It is SO MUCH EASIER

[pricklypear1971]

I suggest cooking stuff like stews and freezing in individual bags. Put a cooler in your room and have someone heat it up for you in a micro.

Much safer and you won't stress.

[Roda]

I'm facing this same issue soon(not having a baby though ). I meet with a surgeon this Friday about getting my gallbladder taken out. I'm hoping that it will be done through same day surgery and I get to go home. But there is always a possibility I may have to stay overnight. I'm nervous about having surgery anyway and don't want to add getting glutened to the mix.

I plan to pack some food items for me and will certainly contact the hospital cafeteria to see what can be offered safely.

[frieze]

.....and everyone of you that has to bring food....demand an adjustment in your bill!

[mushroom]

If you could manage it, I would recommend talking to the dietician ahead of time. I know, I know, some of them are hopeless about gluten; and you probably can't hope to luck out like I did (the dietician was a celiac), but they can help you and talk to the kitchen staff and give them a brush up on gluten free. The hospital I was in did not have a gluten free menu but they did have Udi's bread (as a salt-free bread ) and the dietician made out a meal plan for me for every meal (and I was there three weeks!!). I ate a lot of salads with olive oil and balsamic vinegar, lots and lots of fruit and yogurt, sandwiches on Udi's, chicken and salmon with rice.

[Roda]

If you could manage it, I would recommend talking to the dietician ahead of time. I know, I know, some of them are hopeless about gluten; and you probably can't hope to luck out like I did (the dietician was a celiac), but they can help you and talk to the kitchen staff and give them a brush up on gluten free. The hospital I was in did not have a gluten free menu but they did have Udi's bread (as a salt-free bread ) and the dietician made out a meal plan for me for every meal (and I was there three weeks!!). I ate a lot of salads with olive oil and balsamic vinegar, lots and lots of fruit and yogurt, sandwiches on Udi's, chicken and salmon with rice.

The dietician I consulted with after I was diagnosed just read off things from a pamplet and when I pointed out several mistakes she said that it seemed like I already knew enough. Didn't even mention the whole CC issue. Luckily my insurance paid for it cause it really wasn't worth my time. I know there are better ones out there though.

For me the biggest concern is getting CC'd from PO meds. I'm thinking my stay will be outpatient surgery so I can manage the food. I still plan on contacting the dietary staff just in case I have to stay overnight.

[rachelh4207]

If you could manage it, I would recommend talking to the dietician ahead of time. I know, I know, some of them are hopeless about gluten; and you probably can't hope to luck out like I did (the dietician was a celiac), but they can help you and talk to the kitchen staff and give them a brush up on gluten free. The hospital I was in did not have a gluten free menu but they did have Udi's bread (as a salt-free bread ) and the dietician made out a meal plan for me for every meal (and I was there three weeks!!). I ate a lot of salads with olive oil and balsamic vinegar, lots and lots of fruit and yogurt, sandwiches on Udi's, chicken and salmon with rice.

I called and talked to them and she said she had no doubt they could handle getting food for me that I could have as they are a 24hour room service type thing...I still doubted...So I tried to explain more...lol...she said If i will get her a list of foods I like (gluten free) that she will go herself and buy them to have on hand for me. But that still doesn't rule out cross contamination....Apparently when I eat gluten, I know while it is still in my mouth, as my mouth and throat starts burning right away. And I get a headache right away and gassy belly......So I might try it but if that happens, skip the meals and have my husband bring me food. But oh I don't want to learn the hard way

[my3monkees]

When my mother had open heart surgery 2 yrs. ago. The food was horrible and she wasn't really hungry anyway. So the dietician came up to see why she wasn't eating. My mom told her that she was having a hard time eating, but maybe if she could just have bowl of mashed potatoes that would go down well. At that point the dietician informed her, that no she couldn't eat potatoes, they contained gluten! LOL

[Juliebove]

When my mother had open heart surgery 2 yrs. ago. The food was horrible and she wasn't really hungry anyway. So the dietician came up to see why she wasn't eating. My mom told her that she was having a hard time eating, but maybe if she could just have bowl of mashed potatoes that would go down well. At that point the dietician informed her, that no she couldn't eat potatoes, they contained gluten! LOL

If they were instant they could have. I don't know of any at the moment that do but when my daughter was diagnosed some years ago, some brands did.

[Juliebove]

I really wish more hospitals would do what Children's in Oakland does. They had everything listed as a side dish. You could get black olives, green beans, baby carrots, string cheese, all sorts of things like that. Of course there is still a chance of cc but you know that you are getting whole foods.

[come dance with me]

Our public hospitals provide really well and cater to all needs. My daughter was in earlier this year and was given gluten free, vegan food that was really nice, no cross contamination risk because they have to deal with allergies and intolerances as well as preferences all the time so have to be vigilant.