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Lousy hospital food
I don't envy hospital food planners. Most patients are there briefly and getting them to eat anything is what's most important. If the hospitals serve what people should eat, it might actually work against their purposes. I've seen patients push away food because they don't like what they were served, even though they needed to get their strength back and should have put up with bland food. Serving food patients are used to makes it more likely that patients will take a bite. It's also hard for an institution to produce food in quantity, around the clock, using the freshest ingredients.
The food service department may not be told why you're in the hospital. Unless the doctor is careful about food instructions, they may bring you something inappropriate for your condition. You or your family member should pay attention and speak up about what you want/need or don't want. Patients who order their meals on little paper menus, filled out ahead of time, may not realize that they have to check condiments individually or they won't bring them at all.
Luckily, most hospitals have a nutritionist who will show up if you ask to see them. They can tell you about more healthful choices that are available on request, and order them for you as long as they also meet the doctor's orders (e.g., a low-bacteria diet).
And if you have to put up with tasteless green beans for lunch, consider it an incentive to get well and go home!
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