In the wake of the city’s plans to ban the sale of large sodas and other sugar-based drinks, Mayor Michael Bloomberg announced his goal to take certain foods—such as candy bars, baked goods, and other unhealthy snacks—away from private and public hospitals. Groups like the Healthy Hospital Food Initiative are contributing to provide healthier food choices to hospitals.

According to the Wall Street Journal, 16 hospitals have participated in making sure junk food is replaced with healthier food items. In order to provide healthier choices, the mayor is considering exchanging deep fryers for more vegetables, whole grain foods such as bread and rice, and half portions of sandwiches. In addition, certain snacks banned from vending machines will be replaced with healthier snacks such as granola bars, nuts, and raisins.

For the population to be healthier moving forward, hospitals, known for providing treatment to the unhealthy, need to provide healthy eating options within their facilities. As Mayor Bloomberg states, “If there’s any place that should not allow smoking or try to make you eat healthy, you would think it’d be the hospitals.” With the mayor’s support, hospitals are making positive changes that will help to lead the way for healthier eating in the entire NYC community.

Photo: ABCNews.go.com