Cover Story

The national economy may be in a downturn, but dining out is as popular as ever. California alone boasts more than 60,000 restaurants, and that number continues to grow, proof that people are still spending their money on meals outside the home.

"Dining out is not reserved for special occasions anymore, but it plays an essential role in how we live our lives every day," says Dawn Sweeney, president and CEO of the National Restaurant Association.

"Consumers want help to fit quality meals into their busy schedules and require a lot of variety when doing so. They expect restaurants to make available a variety of healthful options and exciting flavors on menus, and they want to place their orders quickly and easily, whether dining in the restaurant, enjoying meals at home or eating on the go. In addition, restaurant-goers want to be in control of their experiences – from customizing menu items to fit their preferred tastes and diets to using self-activated ordering and payment systems – to get the most out of each restaurant occasion."

According to the NRA, more than three-quarters of American adults say they are trying to eat more healthfully in restaurants now than they did 2 years ago, and nearly the same percentage of teenagers say they try to eat nutritiously when dining out. Eighty-seven percent of adults also say there are more healthy options available at table-service restaurants than there were 2 years ago, and 83% say the same about quick-service establishments.

With increased consumer emphasis on health, restaurants are responding to trends with nutritious options and variety in portion sizes. Restaurants are also going green through such things as water- and energy-saving equipment, low-energy light bulbs, and supplies and packaging made of recycled or alternative materials. A smaller proportion of restaurants are taking eco-commitment to menus as well, with organic produce and sustainable seafood and meats.

Consumers are definitely paying attention, as more than 6 out of 10 diners say they are likely to choose a restaurant based on how environmentally friendly it is.

“There is a strong group of people who are committed to what they eat. More restaurants are realizing that people are looking for healthy items, and restaurants are rising to that challenge,” says Anita Jones-Mueller, M.P.H., president and founder of the Healthy Dining book series and the new HealthyDiningFinder.com website, which features 50,000 restaurant locations around the country that offer health-conscious meals on their menu.

“Our dietitians work with restaurants and inspire them to offer healthy options,” says Jones-Mueller. “We look at their menus and see what meets our nutrition guidelines, or we suggest simple modifications to meet the guidelines.”

Those guidelines for entrees must include 1 of the following: fruits and/or vegetables, lean protein or whole grains. The entrée must be 750 calories or less, have 25 grams of fat or less and have 8 grams of saturated fat or less.

Jones-Mueller says she dines out frequently and often has difficulty judging if a meal described on a menu is actually as nutritious as it sounds, because there's usually no way to know how much of certain ingredients are in a particular meal. The eateries on HealthyDiningFinder.com provide the contents of each of their healthy meals, so consumers know what they're getting before they order it.

How much is too much?

The Food and Drug Administration recommends 2,000 calories per day. Unfortunately, some restaurant meals come close to or even surpass that daily number. This is often due to the method of preparation, including sauces loaded with cream and butter, or burgers laden with cheese and mayonnaise.

For example, an In-N-Out Double-Double has 41 grams of fat and 18 grams of saturated fat. Throw in an order of fries and a chocolate shake, and you can almost hear your arteries hardening. Other fast food restaurants offer similar options that make nutritionists frown, but many of these same restaurants have climbed aboard the healthy-dining bandwagon and now offer salads, fruit and other foods that help balance the dining scales.

Last December, Taco Bell introduced a new Fresco Menu, with 9 menu items containing less than 9 grams of fat, thanks to a zesty mix of diced tomatoes, onions and cilantro replacing cheese and sauce.

“Our customers told us that there are a limited number of lower-fat choices in fast food,” says David Owens, chief marketing officer for Taco Bell Corporation. “With our new Fresco Menu, we're offering the tastes, textures and aromas our customers love, all with menu items that are lower in fat grams versus our regular menu items. That expansion of our menu also allows us to broaden our appeal beyond our usual target demographic of young males.”

Restaurants such as Mimi's Café, which has locations throughout Orange County, have introduced new menus that cater to healthy dining.

“Mimi's Café guests seeking lighter fare can request the Lifestyle Menu, with more than 15 carb-conscious and lower-fat meals,” says Ashley Ceraolo, director of brand management at Mimi's Café. “Mimi's Café is also happy to make substitutions for no additional charge, so don't hesitate to ask for things like non-fat French dressing, egg beaters, non-fat milk, and sliced tomatoes or fresh fruit as sides.”

Christopher Trela is a regular contributor to Churm Media.