Maternity ward meals are very lightly seasoned. I don’t remember the reasoning very well but it may have something to do with spices may make the healing of the cuts (c-section) more challenging.
Even if it tastes blander than the supermarket Japanese food or than how it looks, its still probably better than average maternity ward food.
Cheaper for sure…
That article states that each hospital meal is 260 yen, and that is about $2 in US.
I am not sure how much my wife paid for hers, with the insurance billing so convoluted here. I wouldn’t be surprised if its a lot.
Everything hospital expense here (in USA) has some crazy price tag because the insurance will cover it.
They just don’t realise that meal not appreciated were not eaten and hence less nutrients absorbed by the body.
I am never fond of nutritionists menu. 
Yawn!
