Mayor Bloomberg eyes junk food at hospitals for next NYC obesity measure

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(AP) NEW YORK - People nervously waiting around in New York City hospitals for loved ones to come out of surgery can't smoke. In a few months from now, they can't have a supersized fast-food soda. And soon, they won't even be able to get a candy bar out of the vending machine or a piece of fried chicken from the cafeteria.

In one of his latest health campaigns, Mayor Michael Bloomberg is aiming to banish sugary and fatty foods from both public and private hospitals.

In recent years, the city's 15 public hospitals have cut calories in patients' meals and restricted the sale of sugary drinks and unhealthy snacks at vending machines. But now the city is tackling hospital cafeteria food, too. And the Healthy Hospital Food Initiative is expanding its reach: In the past year, 16 private hospitals have signed on.

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Earlier this month, the city moved to ban the sale of big sodas and other sugary drinks at fast-food restaurants and theaters, beginning in March. Critics say the hospital initiative is yet another sign that Bloomberg is running a "nanny state," even though the guidelines are voluntary and other cities - including Boston - have undertaken similar efforts.

Hospitals say it would be hypocritical of them to serve unhealthy food to patients who are often suffering from obesity and other health problems.

"If there's any place that should not allow smoking or try to make you eat healthy, you would think it'd be the hospitals," Bloomberg said Monday. "We're doing what we should do and you'll see, I think, most of the private hospitals go along with it."

The cafeteria crackdown will ban deep fryers, make leafy green salads a mandatory option and allow only healthy snacks to be stocked near the cafeteria entrance and at cash registers. At least half of all sandwiches and salads must be made or served with whole grains. Half-size sandwich portions must be available for sale.

"People sometimes right now don't have healthy options," said Christine Curtis, the city Health Department's director of nutrition strategy. "So you are there at 2 in the morning and maybe your only choice is soda and chips."

Marcelle Scott brought her own chips and soda into the lobby of Manhattan's privately operated St. Luke's-Roosevelt Hospital - there was no vending machine in sight - as she waited for her daughter to give birth Monday. It wasn't the first time the unemployed security guard from the Bronx got the "munchies" for junk food to keep calm while awaiting the outcome of a loved one's medical procedure.

"I like my Snickers and my Mars Bars - especially if I'm nervous for somebody who's inside," she said.

Most hospitals have already overhauled their vending machines by allowing only two types of 12-ounce high-calorie beverages at each vending machine - and they must be featured on the lowest rack. Hospital vending machines have also swapped out most baked goods for snacks like granola bars and nuts.

At privately run Montefiore Medical Center, which operates several hospitals in the Bronx, changes have been under way for a couple of years.

"We took ice cream out of the cafeterias and began serving more whole grains," said Dr. Andrew Racine, chief medical officer. "We changed white rice to brown rice."

Herbert Padilla, a retired Manhattan hairdresser, was sitting a few feet from a giant coke machine Monday in an outpatient waiting area at St. Luke's-Roosevelt, where he was undergoing treatment for a nerve disorder. He said that in general, he supports efforts to keep people from overdosing on junk food, but "we shouldn't be forced into this by a hospital."

"The mayor is going too far with this. It's ridiculous," he said. "We're being told what to eat and what to drink. We're not living in a free country anymore."

[owlgal]

How long before the people of NY wake up and stand up to this egotistical moron who thinks he can control every aspect of people's lives? He obviously doesn't understand the meaning of "freedom" and is overstepping his authority trying to control every aspect of people's lives. Maybe he should concentrate of the fraud, spending and waste in government and stop worrying about what his constituents are eating and drinking.
To those of you who voted for him, thanks.

[magnumdr]

I am so glad that I don't live in communist NYC!

[donretired]

Well NY voted him in office so now deal with it. LOL

[SUZAMBA]

I don't believe I need the mayor of NY telling me when and what to eat and drink. What the heck is wrong with that city? Don't they have more serious issues to deal with. Sounds like the mayor has too much time on his hand. What a nut case!

[rwsmith29456]

"Hospitals say it would be hypocritical of them to serve unhealthy food to patients who are often suffering from obesity and other health problems." Wait a minute. The article specifically said for people waiting for loved ones to come out of surgery. Is a non-obese person waiting on a patient to be denied candy bars??

[liveloveforgod]

The food was changed in the USA, UK and Australia 30 years ago when dangerous food chemicals from the USA was allowed into Europe. The food today causes stubborn insulin If you have stubborn insulin you hold fat and have a hard time losing weight. You can eat very little and the weight still does not come off. Stubborn insulin will hold fat and diets won't work. When researchers used a specialized diabetes diet on overweight people all lost weight even those who did not have diabetes.

just google SPIRIT HAPPY DIET

[Former_Marine_Sgt]

oh yeah -promoting a product while spreading false information.

Really nice of you.

[MegaProcrastination]

This guy is on a roll, isn't he? I don't know how many times I've been someplace where the only option for a snack was a vending machine full of junk food. I had the option to eat it or not and I chose not and went somewhere I could get some real food. I've been tickled pink when I've walked into a convenience store in need of something quick to find they were offering options like boiled eggs or fruit. Even if a single orange costs $1 I'll buy that over a candy bar any day and grab a small package of nuts to go with it. We don't need laws to mandate what's available, we need people to be willing to take responsibility for what they put into their own bodies.

[dogmomma]

BIG BROTHER #$%@@@

[WiseAsOwl]

Somebody needs to put a leash on you Libs... You're almost funny... almost.. How about going somewhere where people want you and need you... Don't you get tired of trying to run everyone's life?? There are a lot of services for humanity that you could perform.. You don't have to meddle in other peoples' business... Go where you're wanted...

[DarioLoren]

Yeah, I wanted to marry my partner and get an abortion but those Libs wouldn't let me. Always trying to tell us what to do! And those stupid Doctors: I'll eat before surgery if I feel like it and I won't wear one of those silly vests when they x-ray me. Meddling know-it-alls!

[hsinco-2009]

Michale Bloomberg a Liberal?

Not in my book. I am a liberal and have few views in common with him.

[ballwyllo]

The hospital can do what it wants. And as a non New Yorker, I could care less what their Mayor does. If the people of the city don't like it then stop voting for these folks who are only trying to help run their lives better. It is not for non New Yorker to complain.