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Nutrition Information

Food & Nutrition Services team members visit each patient daily and deliver meals with pride to your bedside. The dietician will also make regular visits to discuss your dietary needs. If you have questions, let any staff member know that you would like to speak to the dietician.

Patients without dietary restrictions can order from our Room Service Menu. This allows you to order what you want to eat, when you want it. To place your order, simply call 8500 from your room phone any time between 7:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. Your meal will be made to order and delivered to your room within 45 minutes.

Guests are welcome to dine in with you. Meal tickets are available at the Information Desk in the Main Lobby. Your guest can then order from the menu by calling 8500, and their meal will be delivered to your room.

Our service team has all participated in ServSafe® sanitation training in order to assure the most sanitary conditions throughout the food preparation and serving processes.

Diet Explanation

In Food and Nutrition Services, we prepare your food based on the diet your doctor orders. We’ve made this diet sheet to help you understand what type of foods you will receive while you are at Bell Hospital. If your doctor changes your diet order, we will change your meals.

Please note we can’t list all the therapeutic diets, but have listed the most common. If you are on a diet not listed and would like diet education, please notify your doctor, nurse or call diet office.

REGULAR DIET:
All foods are allowed on a regular diet.

• For good nutrition, choose a variety of foods from each food group.
• Choose breads and grains; vegetables and fruits; milk and dairy; and meat, poultry and fish.

NO-ADDED SALT DIET:
Most foods that are fresh (not processed) are allowed on a sodium-controlled diet. Food made without salt may taste different than what you have been eating.

• We won’t serve you processed meats like ham and sausage; salty soups, sauces and gravies; canned or creamed vegetables, such as scalloped or au gratin potatoes; salted crackers and snack foods.
• We won’t send you salt or salt substitutes on your tray. We will send you a seasoning blend instead.

HEART HEALTHY/LOW FAT-CHOLESTEROL DIET:

Foods that are lower in fat/cholesterol such as fresh meat, poultry and fish; breads and grains; vegetables and fruit; and no-fat milk and dairy products are allowed on this diet. (See the items on the menu with the heart marked next to them.)

• We won’t serve you fatty cuts of meat such as ribs, chicken with skin, beef stroganoff, pot pie; cream soups; full-fat dairy foods such as cheese, ice cream and sour cream; or high fat desserts like cream pie.
• We will send you Promise Margarine.

CONSISTENT CARBOHYDRATE DIET:
Almost all foods are allowed on a consistent carbohydrate diet (including desserts), as long as the serving size is reasonable.

• We will provide you with 4-carbohydrate exchanges at breakfast and 5-carbohydrate exchanges at lunch and supper (along with 2-carbohydrate exchange at bed time snack. (Number of exchanges is marked on the menu.)
• The Dietary Aide you speak with on the phone will make sure you fall within the specific number of carbohydrate exchanges per meal.

TWO GRAM SODIUM DIET:
All food must be less than 300mg of sodium per serving. You may not be able to order off the menu in your room, depending on your restrictions. If this is the case, please let us know your likes/dislikes and what time you prefer your meals.

RENAL DIET:
The renal diet will vary and may be low in potassium, protein, phosphorus, and sodium depending on your specific needs. You may not be able to order off the menu in your room, depending on your restrictions. If this is the case please let us know your likes/dislikes and what time you prefer your meals.

DYSPHAGIA I, II, & III DIETS:
These diets reduce the risk of choking in people who have swallowing problems and for people who have problems chewing food.

• Dysphagia I (Pureed): We will blend your food to a smooth, moist consistency and serve it with gravy or sauce.
• Dysphagia II (Mechanically Altered): Foods are soft-textured and moist so that they may easily be formed.
• Dysphagia III (Advanced): Foods are nearly normal textures, yet exclude crunchy, sticky, or very hard foods. There is a need for food items to be bite-sized and moist.
• You may not be able to order off the menu in your room, depending on your diet restrictions. If this is the case please let us know your likes/dislikes and what time you prefer your meals.
• Note: with this diet your fluids may need to be thickened to Nectar, Honey, or Pudding per your specific need. This will aid with swallowing if you have a problem swallowing thin liquids.

REMINDER: If requested, you will be provided dietary education with handouts from our dietitian on your specific diet.

CLEAR LIQUID:
Before or after surgical procedures or tests, you may be on a clear liquid diet. The diet includes clear broth, tea, gelatin and some medical nutritional supplements.

• Your will be on a clear liquid diet for a short time.
• You won’t get a menu until your doctor orders solid foods for you.

FULL LIQUID:
The full liquid diet includes blended soups, thin cereals, all juices, coffee, milk, pudding, ice cream, sherbet and clear liquid items.

• You will be on a full liquid diet for a short time.
• You won’t get a menu until your doctor orders solid foods.

FLUID RESTRICTION:
If your doctor orders fluid restriction, we will send you the amount of liquids you are allowed to have per meal.

NOTHING BY MOUTH (NPO):
This is an order for no food or liquids. We won’t send you any food or beverages while this is your diet order.

If requested, you will be provided dietary education with handouts from our dietitian for further explanation of your specific diet.

If you need any help with your diet after you get home, please call our dietitian at 1-906-486-2623.