Children's Hospital - Boston

So recently we have had to go to Children's Hospital in Boston.  This is an awesome place, but it does give me some concerns.  The doctors and nurses are the best in the world, offering unparalleled care. The hospital itself has undergone some renovations to make its services up to date.

That is where the concerns come in.  The cafeteria has been turned into a food court.  Yes, a food court like at the mall.  There was nothing available for a person with food sensitivities.  At best there was a salad station, but it was not a salad bar, gross as they are, but a manned salad station.  The salad station was closed for the day at least since there seems to be limited services on weekends.  The Subway sandwiches or Pizzeria Regina offered nothing for gluten sensitives.  When I mentioned this situation to the cashier I was informed I could speak to the manager, he was aware and mentioned it but was just a cashier so nothing was done.

The room service for food likewise does not have many options.  There is a note to mention if there are any food allergies, however, that is required of every restaurant in this state.  There is a gluten free menu in this hospital.  I have seen it.  When in the infusion center the wonderful nurses there presented one.  So this place can do it.

The most disturbing event was speaking with the nutrition department.  When I expressed concerns about gluten in a diet and a sensitivity to dairy I was advised that a gluten sensitive diet can be introduced later.  At the moment ensuring more nutrition was absorbed was better.  There was no real validation of my concerns or attempts to accommodate them in a comprehensive diet.  The main focus seems to be on medication.  Since the overall picture involves digestion a more comprehensive approach seems more appropriate.

For the center of medicine and research for the care of children I would think this hospital would be much more aware of how nutrition affects children.  But because there were no blood markers for Celiac's there is no concern what so ever about diet.  It is all black and white, when we just don't live in that kind of world.  There is good food here, but in this case, while it is not making things worse it may not be contributing to a long term recovery.  And full remission needs to be for the whole person, not just what the medicine treats.

Thank you to Children's Hospital - Boston for all the amazing care they provide.  The attention and treatment heals so many ill children from around the globe.  The doctors, nurses, and staff do incredible work.  It is a shame it seems they are slipping in this one area.