Milkshakes might not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think about hospital food.
But that’s exactly what some patients at Port Moody’s Eagle Ridge Hospital are being served to ensure their nutritional needs are being met.
Gilma Johnston, a registered nurse and the hospital’s quality lead, said a protein-rich milkshake can ensure patients get essential nutrients and hydration after they’re admitted.
“Patients might not feel like eating, but many will drink something,” she said. “With a milkshake, they are getting protein, calories and fluids.”
According to the Canadian Malnutrition Task Force, 31 per cent of malnourished patients and 38 per cent of well-nourished patients experience nutritional decline while they’re in hospital, especially in their first three days of admission as they deal with the symptoms of their illness that put them there in the first place.
“Sometimes patients come in with shortness of breath and need to wear mask, making it difficult to eat an entire meal,” said Kendra Harding-Belcourt, a licensed practical nurse at Eagle Ridge, adding patients experiencing delirium might also be overwhelmed when presented a tray full of food.
While many hospitals have commercially produced liquid protein beverages available, Johnston said the homemade shakes at Eagle Ridge can be tuned to a patient’s preference for a tarter or more sweet taste.
She said finding the right formula that considers the shakes’ nutritional value, flavour and texture took some trial and error. Then their formulation had to be integrated into systems already in place at the hospital’s own in-house kitchen, including consideration for shelf life and storage. The whole process took several months.
So far, Johnston said, the milkshakes have been a hit.
“They think it’s just delicious,” she said. “Some ask for seconds or say this is exactly what they need.”
The shakes at Eagle Ridge currently come in three flavours — strawberry, chocolate and vanilla.
Johnston said the hospital is testing two additional variations, one supplemented with cooked oatmeal, ice cream, whey powder and vanilla-flavoured Greek yogurt and another with 15 grams of protein powder. A plant-based version is also in the works.
Johnston said the shakes are available to patients of all ages twice a day for the first three days of their admission. They’re then screened for malnutrition and if they’re still at risk, a referral is made to a dietitian for additional support.
“If you’re coming into hospital sick and frail, you may benefit from nutrition rich food,” said Johnston.
And if that nutritious food also happens to taste a little like a special treat, so much the better.
“It feels good to feed people,” Johnston said. “It’s something we would do for our own loved ones.”
