| Greetings!
There's not much new in the healthful arena of restaurant meals - except for the two restaurants mentioned below. Perhaps it's because (see the article just below), in today's economy, restaurant patrons appear to be ever more cost conscious - choosing less expensive items over the consideration of healthful items.
Dr. Jo |
| Restaurant Customers Choose Cheap over Healthful |
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According to a poll on chainleader.com, "82 percent of respondents say their better-for-you items are selling 'lousy'." Customers are citing economic factors.
Research by Technomic found more than half of consumers say they are more concerned about their eating habits than they were a year ago...yet:
- 70% say that healthful foods are harder to afford
- 53% say they buy less-healthful items because those items are cheaper
- 44% say their budget prevents them from eating healthful foods
Read more on ChainLeader.com. |
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Macaroni Grill Goes Leaner |
Macaroni Grill has lightened up many of their recipes with the national launch of their new Italian Mediterranean menu. This Mediterranean style of cooking is featured in seven new recipes and fourteen improved recipes. Calories and saturated fat have been reduced from 25-65% in the fourteen improved recipes including:
- Tomato Bruschetta - 630 calories (cals), 5g saturated (sat) fat
- Capellini Pomodoro - 390 cals, 2g sat fat
- Shrimp Portofino, dinner - 560 cals, 14g sat fat
- Scallops & Spinach Salad - 420 cals, 4g sat fat
- Eggplant Parmigiana - 800 cals, 14 g sat fat
- Spaghetti & Meatballs (tomato sauce), dinner - 720 cals, 9g sat fat
- Lasagna al Forno - 640 cals, 15g fat
Plus, Macaroni Grill offers new menu items including:
- Roasted Vegetables (Antipasti) - 330 cals, 3g sat fat
- Grilled Chicken Spiedini - 360 cals, 1g sat fat
- Simple Lemon Pound Cake - 250 cals, 6g fat
To read more on their website, click here. |
| Boston Market Lowers Sodium? |
According to this recent article in Chain Leader, Boston Market is focusing on lowering the sodium content of their menu. The article states they have removed artificial ingredients and replaced them with natural flavors - and reduced the amount of marinade put into the chicken. And, they have taken the butter off the steamed veggies, and switched to canola oil and olive oil.
When I examined the posted nutritional information on the Boston Market website, sodium content of the chicken (depending on the portion) ranges from 890-1600mg - still in the same range as I found in 2007. The website does list olive oil and canola as the ingredients in the steamed veggies - and it's a good choice at 60 calories, 2g fat and 40mg sodium.
In addition, the article states Boston Market is experimenting with flavored vinegars, salsa, chutneys and dips to go with the chicken - that sounds good to me! In addition, they are considering a swithc to lower-fat cream cheese in their creamed spinach (now at 280 calories and 23g fat). | |
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| Going to FNCE? |
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Are you attending the American Dietetic Association's Food & Nutrition Conference & Expo next month in Denver? If so, please stop by the Canola Info booth and say hi - I consult with them as a spokesperson (could I help you promote your products?).
Next month I'll be speaking in Orlando on "Swimming in a Sea of Priorities" for Sysco Foodservice. Then, I'm off to Pennsylvania to conduct 3 full-day medical CEU programs. If you want me to speak to your company or conference, check out my media kit. Or go ahead, give me a call!
Dr. Jo
407-852-9171
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