The University of Colorados Anschutz Health and Wellness Center (AHWC) is teaming up with HEALTHY DINING to help Coloradans make healthier choices when they eat in restaurants.
The new program is called HEALTHY DINING IN COLORADO. More than 40 restaurant companies with 300 locations are already participating in Colorado. Restaurants will offer a selection of dietitian verified menu items for kids and adults emphasizing lean protein, vegetables, fruits, whole grains and unsaturated fats.
Families are so busy. We recognize that they will eat out because it can be faster and more convenient. In fact, families eat an average of five restaurant meals per week, says James O. Hill, PhD, executive director of AHWC. The partnership with HEALTHY DINING provides healthy, good tasting restaurant options so families dont sacrifice nutrition for convenience.
Families can find restaurants, from fast food to upscale dining, by entering a zip code in the online search tool featured on HealthyDiningFinder.com or by downloading the free iPhone app, YumPower.
HealthyDiningFinder.com makes it easy to dine out as a part of a healthy lifestyle, says Anita Jones Mueller, president of HEALTHY DINING. Its exciting to see so many restaurants offer nutritious choices. As more restaurants offer HEALTHY DINING choices there is a positive public health impact one family at a time.
Hill agrees, Two out of three adults and one out of three children in this country are considered overweight or obese and we need to reverse this trend. We can do this by helping people make small, sustainable healthier choices With this partnership, we want to provide families with better meal choices ones that are both healthier and good tasting.
HEALTHY DINING IN COLORADO is the first state-wide initiative of its kind and will serve as a model for other states to implement. There are 60,000 restaurant locations participating across the country.
We are thrilled to launch this new program in Colorado building on HEALTHY DININGs nationwide success, says Jones Mueller. We are hopeful our collaboration with AHWC, LiveWell Colorado and Colorado Health Foundation will help Colorado maintain its standing as one of the healthiest states in the nation.
HEALTHY DINING IN COLORADO features restaurants committed to offering a selection of healthful choices such as Bistro Elaia at AHWC, The Summit Restaurant at the Broadmoor Hotel, Carrabbas Italian Grill, Mad Greens, Sweet Tomatoes, Red Robin, Noodles & Company, Boston Market and others.
Boston Market provides a variety of delicious meals guests can customize and feel good about eating and serving, said George Michel, Boston Markets CEO. Its important for us to work with partners like HEALTHY DINING to assure our guests that they can enjoy nutritious meals without sacrificing taste. With more than 100 meal combinations containing 550 calories or less and a program in place to reduce sodium across our menu by 15 percent to 20 percent, we offer our guests a wide variety of proteins and sides that deliver on both taste and nutrition.
About the Anschutz Health and Wellness Center
The Anschutz Health and Wellness Center is an innovative, state-of-the art research, education and consumer care facility located on the University of Colorado's Anschutz Medical Campus in Aurora, Colorado. The Center's mission is to transform the lives of individuals and communities through science-based wellness strategies. Our research is translated into customized programs and offerings, delivered through our Wellness Clinic and Fitness Center. We provide programs, in partnership with schools, worksites and community organizations throughout Colorado. Our vision is a world where wellness is the norm. Learn more at http://www.anschutzwellness.com.
About HEALTHY DINING
Since 1990, HEALTHY DININGs culinary nutrition experts have been guiding and inspiring chefs and restaurateurs to create and serve a selection of HEALTHY DINING menu options. A leader in restaurant nutrition, the company works with hundreds of restaurants and has analyzed thousands of menu items for nutrient content. In collaboration with the National Restaurant Association, HEALTHY DINING leads the largest-ever restaurant industry nutrition initiative. Through HealthyDiningFinder.com, the only search engine of its kind, Americans can find dietitian-approved, HEALTHY DINING and Kids LiveWell menu options for restaurants coast to coast. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provided partial funding for the development of the HealthyDiningFinder.com e-health tool.
###
No comments:
Post a Comment