By: Nikki Nies
Dining out is meant to be filled with fun, however, a little planning ahead of time can make it healthy too! Thanks to the National Restaurant Association’s partnership with the Healthy Dining Finder on the Kids LiveWell Program, parents have more access to list of healthier restaurants options.
Restaurants that participate in the Kids LiveWell program promise to offer menu options that focus on increased fruit and vegetable intake, lean protein, whole grains and low fat dairy. These provisions are on top of the limitation of unhealthy fats, sugars and sodium. Do these menu options sound familiar? Perhaps, it reminds you of the Dietary Guidelines?
Criteria to be considered Kids LiveWell full meal including entree, side and drink
- 600 calories or less
- ≤ 35% of calories from total fat
- ≤ 10% of calories from saturated fat
- < 0.5 grams trans fat
- ≤ 35% of calories from total sugars (added and naturally occurring)
- ≤ 770 mg of sodium
- 2 or more food groups
Criteria to be considered a nutritious side item:
- 200 calories or less
- ≤ 35% of calories from total fat
- ≤ 10% of calories from saturated fat
- < 0.5 grams trans fat
- ≤ 35% of calories from total sugars (added and naturally occurring)
- ≤ 250 mg of sodium
- 1 food group
With more than 42,000 restaurants participating in this health initiative, your family should not have too much trouble finding healthy options that meet your taste preference. Restaurant establishments include: Au Bon Pain, Bonefish Grill, Burger King, Burgerville, Carrabba’s Italian Grill, Chevys Fresh Mex, Chili’s Grill & Bar, Corner Bakery Cafe, Cracker Barrel, Denny’s, El Pollo Loco, Friendly’s, IHOP, Joe’s Crab Shack, Outback Steakhouse, Silver Diner, Sizzler, T-Bones Great American Eatery and zpizza.
Due to Kids LiveWell three year anniversary, make sure to check out promotional offers that can be used as supported restaurants! With all these great offers, you can dine out guilt free! What menu option are you going to try next?
Photo Credit:National Restaurant Association
Sources: http://www.restaurant.org/Industry-Impact/Food-Healthy-Living/Kids-LiveWell-Program
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