Thursday, October 11, 2007
Hungry? Before You Go Out, Go Online
But I’ve recently stumbled across a Web site that makes healthy dining a lot easier. It’s called healthydiningfinder.com, and it’s based on nutritional analyses of over 10,000 menu items from a variety of restaurants. You simply type in your zip code to find the healthiest options at nearby eateries.
The site does a much better job of providing nutrition information than the restaurant chains themselves. Starbucks offers details on its beverages, for instance, but facts on its food items are displayed in a spreadsheet that’s impossible to read. Panera Bread uses a handy nutrition label for its food items, but often it provides information for just half a portion. The conscientious diner needs to double the numbers to learn what she’s eating in, say, a whole salad.
On healthydiningfinder.com, on the other hand, this info is clear and easy to read. The site will even suggest calorie-saving special requests, like asking for a sauce or dressing on the side. You’ll be surprised at how easy it can be to find healthy fare, even at a Mexican restaurant like Chevy’s. Healthydiningfinder.com lists several Chevy’s dishes in the 300-to-500 calorie range, as well as nutrition info on side dishes and condiments like beans, sour cream and the restaurant’s signature sweet corn tamalito.
The downside is that to be listed on the site, restaurants have to pay a fee, so you may not find many of your favorites here. It is also heavy on restaurants in California, where the site was started. Still, you’ll find several national chains here: Chili’s, Chevy’s, Burger King, Macaroni Grill, Au Bon Pain and Subway, to name a few. And you may even find some establishments unique to your area.
Finally, the people who put the site together have a lot of credibility in the nutrition community. The site has been recognized by the California Dietetic Association and has won research grants from the California Department of Health Services and the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The site does a much better job of providing nutrition information than the restaurant chains themselves. Starbucks offers details on its beverages, for instance, but facts on its food items are displayed in a spreadsheet that’s impossible to read. Panera Bread uses a handy nutrition label for its food items, but often it provides information for just half a portion. The conscientious diner needs to double the numbers to learn what she’s eating in, say, a whole salad.
On healthydiningfinder.com, on the other hand, this info is clear and easy to read. The site will even suggest calorie-saving special requests, like asking for a sauce or dressing on the side. You’ll be surprised at how easy it can be to find healthy fare, even at a Mexican restaurant like Chevy’s. Healthydiningfinder.com lists several Chevy’s dishes in the 300-to-500 calorie range, as well as nutrition info on side dishes and condiments like beans, sour cream and the restaurant’s signature sweet corn tamalito.
The downside is that to be listed on the site, restaurants have to pay a fee, so you may not find many of your favorites here. It is also heavy on restaurants in California, where the site was started. Still, you’ll find several national chains here: Chili’s, Chevy’s, Burger King, Macaroni Grill, Au Bon Pain and Subway, to name a few. And you may even find some establishments unique to your area.
Finally, the people who put the site together have a lot of credibility in the nutrition community. The site has been recognized by the California Dietetic Association and has won research grants from the California Department of Health Services and the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Labels: cool new site, healthy dining, healthy links
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