Capital Health bans Tim Hortons doughnuts

Doughnuts will disappear from Tim Hortons shops at Halifax-area hospitals this fall.

The Capital District Health Authority said Friday the move will help patients, staff and visitors make healthier choices.

Muffins that don't meet the Capital District Health Authority's healthy food guidelines will also be banned when the new rules take effect in October. Bagels, low-fat muffins and tea biscuits will remain on the menu, while doughnuts, Timbits and danishes will not.

"We can't forget that in the daily rush of health care, sometimes there's comfort associated with that muffin or that donut," said Amanda Whitewood, the chief financial officer of the health authority.

"We have to be very careful — and we will be — around what replacement options we provide."

Whitewood said she believes the four Tim Hortons located in the Capital District Health Authority's hospitals are the first ones in Canada to adopt the policy. While Tim Hortons was upset by the request at first, she said the chain is now co-operating.

Rita MacAulay, a nutritionist and a member of the team that developed the new policy, said Canada's Food Guide was used as a benchmark in creating the new rules.

"We eat what's more readily available when we're hungry and in the hospital setting, to grab something and go is probably what most people have to do," she said.

It didn't take long for the news to spread.

"I think people still should have choices to decide for themselves whether or not they want to have healthy choices or whatever," said Denis Burgess, who buys a doughnut every day.

Sharon Jewer agreed.

"Let them have them if they want them. They're old enough to choose, I'm sure," she said.

Whitewood said the hospital is not worried about eliminating doughnuts from their Tim Hortons locations because according to its figures, most of the sales come from tea and coffee — not baked goods.

Deep fryers were removed from hospital cafeterias in 2009.