Renee Fox Column: Restaurants Make it Easier to Eat Healthy

Our lives seem to get busier every day, and we often don't have time to make homemade meals for our families. Instead of spending the little time we have at home slaving over the stove, most of us would rather spend our evenings with those we love.

Dining at restaurants is a great way to enjoy a delicious meal and time with our families or friends. However, eating out frequently could add extra inches to our waist line if we are not making healthy selections. Sometimes it can be challenging to make a wise choice if we don't know how the meal is prepared.

Now you can relax and enjoy your healthy meal and night out, thanks to a new program that is making it easier to make smart selections. The Smart Meal program highlights meals that are 700 calories or less, lower in fat and include items such as whole grains, fruits and vegetables. Restaurants participating in the Smart Meal program use the Smart Meal seal to identify these entrees on their menus.

The Blue Heron Brew Pub in Marshfield, Hidden Creek Kitchens by ODC in Marshfield and Wisconsin Rapids, and Red Mill Supper Club in Stevens Point have become the first Smart Meal restaurants and catering services in our community. Knowing the healthier choice is easier to find just might make the decision -- to stay home and cook or go out -- an easy one.

Typically, many Americans choose to splurge on calories when dining out, but that trend appears to be changing. A recent article in the USA TODAY states that consumers finally are ordering healthier meals and references a historic change in Applebee's top-selling item. Earlier this year, the restaurant chain sold more of its 550 calorie sirloin and shrimp entrees than any other meal on the menu for two straight months. Applebee's never has had a low-calorie item rank that high in sales for a full month in years past.

With obesity rates continuing to rise, some folks are thinking more about the calories and types of foods they eat. The Smart Meal program makes it easier for health conscious customers to make wise selection when ordering out. Many local restaurants have shown their concern for the health of our community by participating in the Smart Meal program. In addition to these first three Smart Meal restaurants, several other eating establishments in Wood County are making plans to participate in the program this year.

You can help increase the number of participants by asking your favorite restaurant to join the Smart Meal program. It's free for restaurants with funding made possible by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Wisconsin Department of Health Services, and the Wood County Health Department. Restaurants who are interested in learning more should visit www.getactivewisconsin.org.

Renee Fox is a health educator for Communities Putting Prevention to Work, Aspirus.

Reposted from the Wisconsin Rapids Daily Tribune and Marshfield New-Herald. 6.8.11