A hospital in Florida has added plant-based dishes to the menu for recovering patients! Good Samaritan Medical Center in Palm Beach is the first in Florida to make this change. Items on the menu will include vegetables, fruits, and grains, leaving out any products derived from animals.

“We respect the dietary needs of our community and we are delighted to be offering a menu option to cater to our vegan and vegetarian patient. Plant-based diets can increase levels of short-chain fatty acids in the gut, and research suggests that may lower the risk of heart disease, inflammatory diseases and Type 2 diabetes,” said Tara McCoy chief executive officer at Good Samaritan Medical Center.

The menu will feature dishes like veggie wraps, seasoned tomatoes, and quinoa salads. Instead of serving up items like cheeseburgers and pizza to those who are recovering from diseases, illnesses, and surgeries, patients will have the option to select a healthier dish. Although they can still choose from the regular menu items, the hope is that they will make small changes to improve their diet while recovering in the hospital.

Dr. David Dodson, a doctor who helped launch this menu change, said “I think eventually all hospitals will be doing this but somebody has to start it and I think Good Sam is the leader.”

Swap Unhealthy Dishes for These Healthier Alternatives at Home!

You don’t need to be a patient recovering in a hospital to start making healthier choices with your diet! If you don’t know where to get started, we’ve provided some easy-to-make options for you to add to the menu. From salads to wraps, you can customize each of these dishes with your favorite flavors and textures, too.

Healthy Quinoa Salad

This Healthy Quinoa Salad by Wendy Irene is an ideal dish to make ahead of time. The flavors get better while marinating in the fridge. The recipe can be altered, too, so add in your favorite flavor to craft the perfect quinoa bowl!

Mexican Quinoa Wraps

These Mexican Quinoa Wraps by Florian Nouh are a great on-the-go lunch or after-workout snack. The gluten-free tortilla wraps are paired with a bunch of vegetables, beans, and some cooked quinoa. The filling is so versatile you can enjoy it in different dishes, too.

Avocado and Chickpea Spinach Wraps 

Fresh, crunchy vegetables and a chickpea avocado mixture are wrapped up in a homemade spinach tortilla in these Avocado and Chickpea Spinach Wraps by Maikki Vasala. It’s the perfect lunchtime wrap. Spinach adds color and delicious flavor to these wraps. They’re fresh, crunchy, and a little bit spicy from the pickled jalapeños.

Kale and Grilled Tomato Salad 

Try this Kale and Grilled Tomato Salad by Robin Burns to get all the nutritional benefits from raw kale. The bite-sized pieces perfectly soak up the dressing and provide the right amount of chewiness in comparison to the soft, warm tomatoes. This salad is beautiful, nutritious and incredible tasty!

Looking for other healthy wraps to make at home? Here’s 15 Delectable Vegan Wrap Recipes to make by downloading the Food Monster App, which is available for both Android and iPhone, and can also be found on Instagram and Facebook. The app has more than 10,000 plant-based, allergy-friendly recipes, and subscribers gain access to new recipes every day. Check it out!

Lead image source: Healthy Quinoa Salad