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Recommended for Your Health  

Innovations Services has developed a program that helps your restaurant or Senior Living Community customers be active participants in choosing the healthiest choices available on your menu. Healthy People 2010 challenges individuals, communities and professionals to take specific steps to ensure that good health, as well as long life, are enjoyed by all. This program is designed to assist you in fulfilling this need.    

                                     What is a healthy choice?

Let's begin with the scientific stuff that sets the standards for eating choices that meet the guidelines of the American Heart, Cancer and Dietetic Associations as well as those of the FDA/USDA.

The three things that make food taste good are fat, salt and sugar.  When recommending food items for wellness eating we choose items that are low to moderate in fat, salt and sugar content. 

Fat:  There are good fats and bad fats – with bad fats being primarily those of animal origin or solid vegetable fats containing trans fat.  Good fats include olive oil and the oils contained in some fish and nuts.

·         Entrees earning the symbol have 15 or less grams of fat per serving

·         Cream soups, mashed potatoes, entrees with cream sauces, and puddings made with whole milk or cream will not be included.  They can be made them at home using 1% milk and be a tasty item that is also good for you.

·         Ice Cream averages 10 gm. Fat per ½ cup serving – enjoy it occasionally

·          If you are a fan of potato chips and other snack chips, choose the baked variety 

Salt (sodium):  The recommended daily sodium guideline has been reduced to 1500 mg – less than half that consumed by the average American.  – Some of our favorite foods – ham, bacon, sausage, cheeses, soups, gravies and nearly all processed foods are too high in sodium to eat daily

·         Although you can have small amounts of these the healthy choice would be to choose them occasionally

·         Taste the food and skip the salt shaker – food that is well seasoned doesn’t need it even if it contains no added salt

Sugar (Carbohydrates):  Desserts are the obvious source of sugar – however, beverages contribute more sugar to the American diet than desserts.  Like salt, sugar is added to foods in the processed foods during the production process to improve flavor – i.e. ketchup.

·         Pop contains an average of 8 tsp. of sugar per 12 oz can

·         Coffee beverages (those enticing ones in coffee houses and their look-alikes everywhere) are loaded with added sugar and fat and can contain as many as 1800 calories in one beverage – ask for low fat and skip the sweetener and you will save hundreds of calories

·         Enjoy a cookie before you “just have to have” a bag of cookies

·         Choose fresh fruits in season for a healthy sweet treat

 

What Innovations Services Can Do for your Operation

Healthy menus for all types of food servics! click here

Senior Living Communities

Innovations Services can help your Dining Services Department implement a program that will give your residents the information needed to make the best food choices for healthy aging.    We can assist with any of all of the following:

·         Recipe analysis using USDA nutrient database

·         Menu identification for best choice items

·         Step-by-step Implementation Plan

·         Individualized Plan for each Dining Venue

·         Marketing Materials

·         Nutrition Chat Outlines & Posters

·         Recognition on our web site

·         You will have satisfied guests

 

Restaurants

Innovations Services can assist you in developing healthy menu choices for your customers.  Give your customers the opportunity to live healthier life styles by offering healthy menu choices.  We will do the work for you by providing:            

·         Recipe analysis using USDA nutrient database

·         Menus and recipes reviewed by a Registered Dietitian*, just like the big corporations, to give you peace of mind by ensuring compliance with the healthy foods guidelines

·         Menu identification for best choice items from your menu or we can modify recipes

·         Caloric content of recipes (optional now but will be federally mandated to appear on menu by March 23, 2011**)

·         Marketing Materials

·         Kids healthy choice menus

·         Proprietary information will be kept confidential by signing an agreement

·         All necessary training can be provided

·         You will be doing your part in helping fight the soaring rate of obesity

·         Recognition on our web site

·         You will have satisfied customers

* A Registered Dietitian is a food and nutrition expert who has met academic and professional requirements. The Registered Dietitian has earned a bachelor's degree with course work approved by ADA's Commission on Accreditation for Dietetics Education. Coursework typically includes food and nutrition sciences, foodservice systems management, business, economics, computer science, sociology, biochemistry, physiology, microbiology and chemistry.  They have also completed a accredited, supervised practice program at a health-care facility, community agency or foodservice corporation.  They have passed a national examination administered by the Commission on Dietetic Registration and have to complete continuing professional education requirements to maintain registration.

 

** Federal Law will require that caloric content be posted on printed and drive through menus for chains of 20 or more establishments.  Your customer will want way to see the same information on your menu.  

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