Jan 7, 2008 14:00 ET

Online Resource Keeps Restaurant Diners on Track After New Year's Hype Subsides

SAN DIEGO, Jan. 7 /PRNewswire/ -- Calorie-conscious, health-minded Americans who love to eat out have a new ally to support them in following through with New Year's resolutions.

HealthyDiningFinder.com, provides access to nutrition information about healthier choices at a growing number of restaurants nationwide. More than 50,000 restaurants from fast food to upscale dining establishments currently participate. Site visitors "search" for participating restaurants by specifying location, desired price range, and availability of take-out, delivery, and catering. The site, developed by health and nutrition experts, also offers e-newsletters, recipes, nutrition tips and more. Americans eat restaurant-prepared foods an average of five to six times a week; and approximately three-fourths of the population is trying to eat more healthfully in restaurants today than two years ago,according to the National Restaurant Association. "HealthyDiningFinder.com can help anybody watching his or her weight, those with conditions like heart disease and diabetes, as well as anyone striving to eat more healthfully as part of an overall health- conscious lifestyle," explains Nicole Quartuccio, R.D., Healthy Dining's Director of Nutrition.

Research shows that it is often difficult - even for dietitians - to gauge calorie and fat content of restaurant meals by perusing menus. Healthy Dining's nutrition professionals and health educators work with restaurants to highlight menu items containing lean protein, fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Entrées featured on the site contain 750 calories or less, 25 grams of fat or less and 8 grams of saturated fat or less. Dishes lower in sodium and cholesterol are also featured, when available.

About Healthy Dining:

In 1990, Healthy Dining began working with chefs and restaurateurs in Southern California, guiding them in creating, serving and promoting a selection of healthier dishes. To assist health-conscious Southern California residents, the team published a series of Healthy Dining guides, which identified the healthier menu choices, along with corresponding nutrition information, at restaurants in Los Angeles, San Diego, and Orange County. In 2004, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) awarded Healthy Dining a grant to expand the program nationwide through HealthyDiningFinder.com. Healthy Dining has worked with hundreds of restaurants and has analyzed more than 15,000 menu items for inclusion in their program. For more information, please call 800-953-DINE (3463), visit www.HealthyDiningFinder.com, or e-mail info@HealthyDiningFinder.com. Source: Healthy Dining
CONTACT: Anita Jones of Healthy Dining, +1-805-693-1100,
anita@healthydiningfinder.com
Web site: http://healthydiningfinder.com/