Smart Dining Near You

The average American eats outside of their home for almost half of their dining. That sure is a lot! While it's nice to get out of the house and sit down with friends and family, it’s often harder to eat healthy when dining out because you have no part in the creation. Wait a minute!? What if restraints decided to make healthy options available and easy to find?

It is real! Many restaurants in Wood County and the central Wisconsin area are joining a program making it easier to eat out and stay healthy. The Smart Meal program was created by the Wood County Health Department as a designation that ensure certain nutritional qualities of a meal (listed below).

These are some of the restraints to already join the smart meal program. Haven’t tried any of these places yet? Dine on the town and try a smart meal to mix up your norm.

The Blue Heron Brew Pub in Marshfield

Hidden Creek Kitchens by ODC in Marshfield and Wisconsin Rapids

Red Mill Supper Club in Stevens Point

Jamaican Kitchen in Wisconsin Rapids

Wishing your favorite restaurant was on the list? Ask them about their meals and if they've thought of making it easier for their customers to be healthy by making Smart Meals. You can at least get them thinking!

As for what that fancy sticker really means? Read below for the nutrition you’ll be getting from a fun meal out with the family:

For adult meals to qualify for the Smart Meal™ program they must contain:

• Two servings or more of beans, whole grains, fruits, or vegetables.* One serving may be substituted for a serving of fat-free or low-fat milk or equivalent milk product.
• 700 calories or fewer.
• 30 percent or less of total calories from fat or 23 grams or fewer of total fat.
• 10 percent or less of calories from saturated fat or 8 grams or fewer of saturated fat.
• 0.5 grams or fewer of trans fat (no added or artificial trans fat).
• 1,500 mg or fewer of sodium.

For kids meals to qualify for the Smart Meal™ program they must contain:

• Two servings or more of beans, whole grains, fruits or vegetables.* One serving may be substituted for a serving of fat-free or low-fat milk or equivalent milk product.
• 400-600 calories or fewer.
• 30 percent or less of total calories from fat or 13-20 grams or fewer of total fat.
• 10 percent or less of calories from saturated fat or 4-7 grams or fewer of saturated fat.
• 0.5 grams or fewer of trans fat (no added or artificial trans fat).
• 600-800 mg or fewer of sodium.

Learn More: Get Active Webpage