The supply of vegetarian and completely plant-based meal options in Belgian hospitals

Abstract

Abstract Background Both the increase in food demand and planetary boundaries underline the need to increase plant-based protein consumption, as the current diet of the Flemish population is unsustainable. Methods As hospitals are a difficult setting to change, the supply of (partly) plant-based meal options in Belgian Dutch-speaking hospitals was mapped using an online questionnaire, with response options according to: frequency of supply or (no) offer. Results This study shows that in the 45 Belgian Dutch-speaking participating hospitals the supply of (partly) plant-based options is limited and that it’s only to a low extend correlated to the type of hospital. Conclusions It can be concluded that the supply of (partly) plant-based meal options is still limited in Belgian Dutch-speaking hospitals. Belgian hospitals should investigate the possibility to offer more healthy plant-based meal options in line with (inter)national guidelines.