3 book picks from the Friday Roundtable guests

I would expect hospitals to reflect the constantly evolving knowledge about what promotes good health, and to be consistent in policies than ban products that are known to be harmful. Cigarettes are a no-brainer, and the evidence is mounting that the ingredients in soda, cheap fast food, and other so-called junk foods have clear links to increases in obesity, diabetes, and other chronic diseases. Harmful products ought not be sold by public entities like schools and quasi-public entities like hospitals. Forcing people to walk across the street to a nearby convenience store would reduce consumption, or at a minimum would give them a little exercise.

Out in the free market world, it’s a different story. It won’t be long until health insurance pricing is more, if not completely risk-based. We already allow life insurance to be variably priced based on whether one smokes or not. Soon we’ll have differential health insurance pricing based on some obesity factor, if not other health characteristics. When that happens, the self-destructive “it’s my right to drink 64 ounce sodas” people will be able to drink themselves to early death without expecting the rest of us to subsidize their unhealthy behavior.

Although I prefer a comprehensive, single-payer national health system, it would have the unintended consequence of continuing to shield individuals from the long-term effects of their choices. That’s not good, but maybe making those bad choices less convenient — like banning unhealthy foods and beverages in public and quasi-public places — would help mitigate the problem.

I think it’s appropriate for a hospital to set a good example by providing only healthy food. If employees or visitors want other types of food, they can pack a lunch or go to an off campus restaurant.

When I was visiting my father in the hospital in southern Minnesota, I was shocked that the cafeteria food was so unhealthy. There was always a fried/deep fried entree, something covered in cream sauces or cheese, and soup so thick with cream and cheese that it looked solid. When I was desperate I ate a plain salad that was predominately lettuce, which was not filling and had little nutrition.

I packed my own food for the day, and ate much better.

I noticed a lot of obese staff. Coincidence?

We need to align our interests, what we eat contributes to our health, and better health results in lower health care costs. Health care facilities should be leading the way in encouraging healthy food, not having soda available is a good first step. I don’t know if the facility bans soda from its grounds, or just doesn’t sell it onsite.

No one is stopping anyone from drinking soda or eating junk food, we need to try to make that not the norm. If you want it, bring it with you. No one complained when I ate food brought from home.