“As consumer interest in health and nutrition issues is increasing, the nation’s nearly one million restaurants are responding by offering more healthful options than ever, and the new and improved HealthyDiningFinder.com Web site helps bring them together,” said Dawn Sweeney, the association’s president and ceo. “The site is a great tool for restaurants to highlight better-for-you options on their menus and provide the nutrition information their guests want in a convenient online format.”
“HealthyDiningFinder.com makes it easier than ever for consumers to find restaurants that offer healthier choices,” explained Healthy Dining’s president, Anita Jones-Mueller, MPH. “Even in this tough economy, restaurants that jump on this important consumer trend can gain new customers and secure a competitive edge.”
According to NRA research, health and nutrition are among the hottest trends in restaurants this year. In a recent survey of more than 1,600 professional chefs, nutrition/health as a culinary theme ranked No. 11 of hottest trends on restaurant menus in 2009. Underscoring the importance of healthful foods, produce and fruit items, smaller dishes, fish, and gluten-free/allergy-conscious meals were all among the top-20 items in the survey.
In addition, the Association’s research shows that three in four adults say they are trying to eat more healthfully in restaurants now than they did two years ago. And, nearly three in 10 adults (27 percent) have gone online to search for nutrition information about restaurant food, up from 24 percent just a year ago.
The NRA and Healthy Dining partnered on the Web site in 2006. Members of the Association or any state restaurant and hospitality association receive a 20 percent discount as a member benefit when signing up for the program.
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