Traditionally, healthcare was a service you used when you were sick or injured. Today, there is an increasing emphasis on wellness and prevention — one of the many ways healthcare has evolved in the last few decades.

“MaineHealth has a mission of working together so our communities are the healthiest in America. Here at LincolnHealth, we are trying to make that a reality,” stated Dr. Tim Goltz of Lincoln Medical Partners. For the past ten years, LincolnHealth has encouraged healthy behaviors to their patients, staff and community. This commitment includes offering healthier food and drink options at affordable prices, sponsoring healthy cooking classes taught by healthcare professionals, getting food from local farms, listing nutrition information on menus and food labels, and hosting community gardens on both campuses.

Most recently, LincolnHealth implemented a policy that eliminated the sale of sugar-sweetened beverages from its campuses. The decision was made after hospital administration and the Works on Wellness Council decided that selling products that are clearly linked to negative health outcomes, such as diabetes and obesity, is not helpful to the community.

“Sugar is the number one cause of obesity,” stated Dr. Goltz. “Studies show that increased consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages leads to increased rates of obesity and diabetes, both of which have been increasing at alarming rates for several decades in the United States,” he added.

“Phasing out sugar-sweetened beverages just seemed like the next step of our mission to offer healthier options,” stated Tom Schwarz, director of Food Services. “While sugar-sweetened beverages are still allowed on the LincolnHealth campuses, we are no longer selling them,” he explained. Schwarz, who works closely with Dr. Goltz and registered dieticians, ensures that healthy options are available at the Miles Café, in dining rooms, and in the vending machines for patients, residents, staff and visitors.

Alternatives such as bottled water, infused water, water with a combination of fruits, vegetables and herbs, are available at the Miles Café. These continue to be extremely popular.

Affordability was a high priority when the new and healthier choices were added. Bottled water at the café costs just 50 cents, which is now the top selling beverage at the cafeteria. The infused water is free and meals are almost always less than five dollars each.

The made-to-order protein salads featuring fresh Maine lobster, seared salmon, grilled chicken or hanger steak are now a staff favorite. People enjoy reading the nutrition labels and specifically look for the “WOW”/healthy option each day. LincolnHealth plans to continue offering additional healthy meals and beverages for patients, residents, staff, and visitors in their continuous effort to promote wellness and prevention.

For more information about healthy choices at LincolnHealth please contact Tom Schwarz at (207) 563-4021.