FAQ


Why are some restaurants included on this site and not others?

Healthy Dining Finder aims to include a wide range of restaurants - from fast food to fine dining, from one-unit independents to large chains, representing dozens of types of cuisines - even juice bars, cafeterias, home meal solutions, and more. And while some of the participating restaurants specialize in offering very "health-conscious dishes," our goal is to identify "better for you choices" at all manner of restaurants.

Please note that, in order to provide this website to you, the consumer, for free, restaurants that choose to participate in Healthy Dining Finder pay a fee, which covers the costs related to operating and publicizing this website and program. Many of the restaurants that have enrolled in the program early on are the larger chains, and that sometimes means fast food restaurants. Smaller chains and independent restaurants are encouraged to join as well, and you will see more of those soon. We also invite you to talk with your favorite local restaurants about becoming part of Healthy Dining Finder. You can print a note that explains the program to give them.

Who can benefit from this website?
People who enjoy eating out and want to make healthier selections.
How should I apply the nutrition information to my personal goals?
The information provided on the website is useful for anyone wishing to lose weight, reduce blood cholesterol or blood pressure levels, decrease cardiovascular risk, achieve better diabetes control, or generally enhance overall health. You, your physician and your dietitian are responsible for setting individual nutritional guidelines according to your particular health needs. In general:
  • To lose weight, select items lower in calories and fat.
  • To reduce your blood cholesterol level, choose items that are lower in both fat (especially saturated fat and trans fat) and cholesterol,
  • To reduce dietary sodium, select menu items that are lower in sodium.
How is the nutrition analysis done?
Some of the analysis is performed by Healthy Dining, and some is provided by the restaurants. When Healthy Dining conducts the analysis, the restaurant provides the recipesto Healthy Dining, whose dietitians and/or nutritionists perform a nutrition analysis with the ESHA Food Processor computer program. This program uses the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) database, which is updated when new data becomes available.

When values for recipe ingredients are not available from the USDA database, Healthy Dining contacts the manufacturer to request the nutrition information. If the manufacturer does not have nutrition information, ingredients are matched as closely as possible to a similar product for which the nutrition information is available.

The restaurants are responsible for supplying accurate information, either in the form of the recipes or completed analyses. The restaurants are also responsible for maintaining quality control to assure that meals are prepared according to their standard recipes, given the limitations discussed below.

How accurate is the posted nutrition data?

USDA research has found that the nutritional values of foods can vary among individual samples of a particular food by as much as 20%, due to such factors as season, soil conditions, region of the country and product suppliers. In addition, consistency cannot be assured (a) among different chefs at a particular restaurant or (b) at different times, even if a dish is prepared by the same chef, due to slight variations in technique and portion sizes (for example, the exact size of potato).Therefore, data listed on this website represent approximations only.

Values calculated by Healthy Dining are rounded as follows: for calories, cholesterol and sodium, to the nearest 5 units; for fat, protein, carbohydrates and fiber, to the nearest whole number. Fruit/vegetable servings and saturated fat are generally rounded to the nearest half unit, and for small quantities, occasionally to the nearest whole unit. Nutrition values provided to Healthy Dining by the restaurants may be expressed differently.

The nutrition data and all other content contained on this website or included therein are provided by the restaurants and Healthy Dining, not the National Restaurant Association (NRA) or any other partners/collaborators. The NRA and other partners/collaborators assume no responsibility, legal or otherwise, for the content, listings, or statements contained on this website.

What about allergens?
This website includes brief descriptions of selected dishes, but not complete ingredient lists. If you have food allergies or sensitivities, be sure to emphasize this to the restaurant personnel so they will understand how important it is to prepare your meal according to your specifications.
What is the "Special Request" listed on many menu items?
A "Special Request" is a modification of a restaurant's standard recipe that you, the diner, may make when you order. This modification will improve the nutrition profile of the dish by lowering the calorie and/or fat content or by increasing the amount of certain ingredients to improve the fiber, vitamin, and phytochemical content (see Fruits and Vegetables) in your meal. You must clearly state that you want your meal prepared according to the "Special Request" instructions for your meal to reflect the nutrition data listed for that meal.
What about serving sizes?
The nutrition information listed is based on the full serving, unless stated otherwise. When a listing shows “½ order,” the restaurant will generally serve the full order, and it is the diner’s responsibility to consume the appropriate amount. Consider sharing or taking some home. .
What about dressings, sauces, and side dishes?
In some cases, the nutrition analysis includes dressings, sauces, or side dishes. In other cases, it does not. The website's menu description indicates the components of the meal that are included in the analysis. We generally recommend that you order sauces and dressings on the side and use them sparingly. Dressings and sauces usually contain 5 to 10 grams of fat (45 to 90 calories) per tablespoon. You will likely be served more than one tablespoon. You can measure out the amount you want using your teaspoon, keeping in mind that 3 teaspoons (tsp.) are equivalent to one tablespoon (Tbs.) or ½ ounce (oz).