News Food News 10 Hospital Meals From Around the World From cottage cheese and coffee to quiche and éclairs, find out what people in Russia, Switzerland, Australia, and more eat when they go to the hospital. By Elisabeth Sherman Elisabeth Sherman Elisabeth Sherman is a writer, editor, and fact-checker in the food, culture, and entertainment spaces. She has been working professionally at national magazines since 2015. Food & Wine's Editorial Guidelines Updated on September 6, 2022 Trending Videos Close this video player Photo: Courtesy of Sunbelt Staffing Going to the hospital can be a frightening and uncomfortable experience, so patients and their families take solace where they can — maybe in the friendly nurse who comes to check in, or in the hospital meal. Hospital food might not have the best reputation, but a warm meal during a stressful time can bring a surprising amount of comfort. Hospital food is also something just about nearly everyone on the planet has tried before — it's one of those universal human experiences that unites us. While most people have likely experienced a hospital dinner in their home country, they probably haven't encountered one abroad. Still, the question might pique your curiosity: What do people in other countries eat when they have to go to the hospital? F&W Game Changers: World Central Kitchen The nurse training program Sunbelt Staffers recently collected data from "hospital patient catering menus" from countries around the world, and then recreated the meals hospital visitors are most likely to eat. You'll find familiar comfort foods like chicken pot pie and quiche served at hospitals, as well as fruit like papaya and apples. Some countries opt to include classic dishes on their hospital trays. For instance, in England your meal comes with tea, of course, whereas in Italy you'll be served gnocchi. Here's what 10 hospital meals in countries around the world, from Spain to Canada, look like: United States Courtesy of Sunbelt Staffing Chicken pot pie, broccoli, chocolate chip cookie, coffee Spain Courtesy of Sunbelt Staffing Chorizo and pepper rice, fruit salad, orange juice Switzerland Courtesy of Sunbelt Staffing Quiche, fig and walnut salad, éclair, apple juice Mexico Courtesy of Sunbelt Staffing Omelet with tomato and pepper salsa, chopped papaya, water Germany Courtesy of Sunbelt Staffing Creamed beef, peas and corn, strudel, bread Russia Courtesy of Sunbelt Staffing Buckwheat pudding, cottage cheese, coffee Italy Courtesy of Sunbelt Staffing Gnocchi with tomato sauce, water, fresh fruit (apple and plum) Canada Courtesy of Sunbelt Staffing Baked salmon, peas and carrots, corn, water Australia Courtesy of Sunbelt Staffing Plum chicken, rice, sliced apple, cranberry juice England Courtesy of Sunbelt Staffing Cornish pasty, savoy cabbage, rice pudding, tea Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit