Healthy decisions made easier at local restaurants
By Clare Jensen
For Puyallup Tribal Newscjensen@tacomaweekly.com
Published on: April 03, 2008
It might not be a coincidence that in a county where obesity has climbed over the last decade, 84 percent of its citizens reportedly eat out on a regular basis.
Restaurant frequenters are often exposed to inflated portions and high fat, calorie and sodium levels.
Starting April 7, Pierce County residents will have about 220 new healthy options to choose from when dining out.
Sixty-five Pierce County restaurants have signed onto an initiative to provide healthy – and tasty – food to customers throughout the remainder of 2008.
From pubs to pizza parlors, cafés to fine dining establishments, eating right when eating out will no longer be a challenge.
“Get Fit: a passport to Healthy Dining” is a collaborative partnership between MultiCare Health System, Tacoma/Pierce County Health Department, the Washington Restaurant Association, the YMCA and countless restaurant owners.
Dr. Danelle Reed-Inderbitzen, program director of Kwawachee Counseling Center, believes the “Get Fit” meals will be “a great tool” for Puyallup Tribal Health Authority (PTHA) clients to make healthier choices.
“It is so hard, even when you’re at a restaurant and you’re ordering a salad… it’s twice as big as it should be, it has twice as much dressing [so it’s not a healthy option],” Danelle Reed-Inderbitzen said.
MultiCare nutritionists worked closely with restaurant chefs to modify existing recipes, or create entirely new entrees, that fit under the standardized definition of a healthy meal.
Each restaurant will offer at least four choices that are no more than 750 calories, less than 1,000 milligrams of sodium, less than 35 percent calories from fat and includes two servings of vegetables (or one serving with a high-fiber side).
“We spent a lot of time developing these recipes with the dieticians,” said Joel Mertens, chef for sister restaurants Masa and Asado. He noted that healthier items, especially vegetarian entrees, often end up of being an assortment of vegetables with no real attention to presentation and flavor. “We were trying to make these dishes worthwhile – not just an afterthought,” he said.
Joel Mertens, along with fellow chefs Heather Nucifora of Tacoma General Hospital’s cafeteria, Dan McIntyre of Tacoma’s Il Fiasco, Stuart Moore of Lakewood’s Goodfella’s Steakhouse and John Spearman of Puyallup’s Mama Stortini’s presented a few choice “Get Fit” meals at a kick-off event March 26. Flavor infused and guilt-free entrees such as mango tempeh curry, pollo cacciatore, pasta primavera, and an orange-scented mascarpone and berry dessert, wowed even the most skeptical of diners.
Anthony Anton, president and CEO of the Washington Restaurant Association, said customers will be able to see the “Get Fit” logo on windows of participating restaurants, and next to the menu items that fit the criteria.
“People can see that logo and know [the food] is healthy,” he said. Anthony Anton added that he envisions Pierce County’s “Get Fit” being a model program for healthy restaurant options in the state and throughout the nation.
Lori Tanner, director of MultiCare Center for Healthy Living, said “Get Fit” meals are high in fiber, low in fat and sodium and are “really nutrient dense.” Nutritional information for calorie, fat, sodium and carbohydrate levels will be listed with each meal.
She noted that while an intake of about 2,300 milligrams of sodium is suggested per day, not exceeding 1,000 milligrams per meal is “great for a restaurant.”
“We want to make it easy for the customer to make a healthy choice,” she said.
And customers can order “Get Fit” items with confidence, as they do meet a national standard and participating restaurants will be checked on regularly to ensure they are serving the healthy ingredients.
Pierce County implemented a similar program the last two years that required participating restaurants to provide one healthy menu item for one month. Participating restaurants in “Get Fit” for 2008 are committed to offering four choices for the remainder of the year, and more restaurants are expected to join the roster.
And customers who get 10 stamps on their “Get Fit” passports will receive a healthy prize from MultiCare. For a complete list of participating restaurants and passport details, visit www.piercecountygetsfit.org, or look for the “Get Fit” logo on storefronts throughout Pierce County. “Get Fit” information will also be available though the PTHA offices.
