A coalition of over 20 organizations in the UK are calling for a plant-based menu as the first option in hospitals, highlighting the health benefits, environmental sustainability and potential savings for the NHS
In recent years, attention towards plant food has grown exponentially and the food industry has responded to this demand with a wide variety of products, making plant-based nutrition more accessible but also more attractive for many consumers. In the United Kingdomthis trend is particularly felt. Only a few days ago we talked about a real “turning point” that occurred in this country which decided to include veganism in the school curriculum.
But there is another news about it. There Plants First Healthcare campaigna coalition of over 20 support organizations and signed by more than 1000 health professionals, is calling on the Government to make plant-based food a priority in hospitals.
On October 16, 2024, a letter was sent to all hospitals of the National Health Service (NHS), to the Integrated Care Boards (ICBs) and Departments of Health of all four nations of the United Kingdom, demanding fundamental change in the way food is offered in hospital settings. The invitation is clear: adopt a plant-based menu as your main option.
This means that we intend to give priority to plant-based meals, while still maintaining the possibility of choosing meat and other animal products on the menu.
The scientific evidence to support this request is numerous, as the associations and experts report in the letter. It has emerged that a plant-based food system can not only significantly improve health outcomes, but is also crucial for addressing health inequalities and achieving climate and sustainability goals. Last but not least, a shift to plant-based diets could help reduce NHS costs, an increasingly urgent need in the public health landscape.
The benefits of a plant-based diet in hospitals (and beyond)
Plant-based meals offer a number of health benefitscontributing to a greater intake of fruit, vegetables, whole grains and legumes. This can lead to a reduced risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, obesity and some types of cancers. In practice, by promoting healthier eating, hospitals can have a direct impact on patients’ well-being.
Adopting a plant-based menu is not just a question of personal health, but also of environmental responsibility. Plant-based meals require 75% less land and have a 66% lower impact on biodiversity than those containing meat. Given that the global food system is responsible for a third of greenhouse gas emissions, reducing meat and dairy consumption is essential for our planet.
The transition to a plant-based menu could also lead significant economic savings. One study showed that a plant-based approach could save the NHS around £74 million a year. Furthermore, one analysis estimated that if England adopted a fully plant-based diet, there would be a net benefit to the NHS of around £18.8 billion annually.
These savings, along with the health and environmental benefits, make this change a very attractive option indeed.
The letter concludes:
We ask that in 2024 NHS healthcare organizations commit to implementation a “Plant-based by Default” menu to promote a healthier and more sustainable food environment for patients and staff.
