Restaurants serving more healthful foods
Here's to you!
You say you're more health conscious when eating out and a new study supports you.
According to The NPD Group, a Rosemont-based market research company, Americans have been ordering foods high in sugar or fat content less frequently at restaurants over the past 10 years.
The report showed a drop in consumption of carbonated drinks (regular soda, not diet versions), hot dogs, fried chicken and French fries. At the same time, foods like grilled chicken sandwiches, fish (not fried), milk, fruit, yogurt and breakfast cereals are being ordered more often.
“This shift in consumers choosing healthier foods at restaurants is partially due to the increasing availability of healthier foods on restaurant menus,” says Bonnie Riggs, restaurant industry analyst at The NPD Group. “Restaurant operators are responding to their customers' needs for healthier or lighter foods.”
We're hitting a few weeks where invitations to eat out and celebrate will come more frequently. Stick to your guns and keep it up!
In-flight snacks: If you'll be among the nearly 24 million passengers flying this holiday season, heed this advice: Pack your own fruit and energy bars for the flight.
According to a survey by DietDetective.com, most airlines come up short when it comes to offering healthy snacks and meals.
According to public health advocate and DietDetective.com Editor Charles Stuart Platkin, United provides the “healthiest” choices. Its tapas pack, which includes almonds, olives, hummus and bruschetta, is the top-selling snack box. On longer flights, the turkey sandwich, chicken Caesar salad and fruit tray are healthful options.
JetBlue Airways and American Airlines also fared well in the survey. JetBlue was lauded for its nut selection and Shape Up meal box. If you fly American, grab the cheese and cracker snack tray (just skip the crackers), or split a Boston Market Deli Chicken Pesto with your traveling companion.
Get the full list of snack/onboard food ratings, plus comments, calories and exercise equivalents, at DietDetective.com.
Restaurant reality: If you've ever thought about opening a restaurant, how ‘bout going up against other wannabes on Food Network's “24 Hour Restaurant Battle?”
Producers for the competition reality show will be in Chicago Friday casting for the second season. They're looking for charismatic two-person teams with a dream to run a restaurant. No actual restaurant experience is necessary, but I'm sure it wouldn't hurt.
If you're up to the challenge, head to 24hourrestaurantbattle.com and print out the nine-page application (your teammate must complete one, too). Then show up from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Dec. 10 at the Affinia Hotel, 166 E. Superior St., Chicago.
Good luck! And if you make it, give me a call.
• Dessert Diva demo: Award-winning pastry chef and Food Network star Gale Gand will demonstrate holiday-worthy desserts from her “Chocolate and Vanilla” cookbook at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at Corner Cooks in Winnetka.
Guests will get to sample the likes of Vanilla Buttermilk Panna Cotta with Strawberry Mash and Chocolate Almond Upside-Down Cake. Gand also will have books for sale and signing.
The class costs $60 and space is limited. Corner Cooks, a unique culinary event center and catering company, is at 507 Chestnut St. Reserve a spot at (847) 441-0134.
• Contact Food Editor Deborah Pankey at food@dalyherald.com or (847) 427-4524. Listen to her discuss food and restaurant trends on Restaurant Radio, 5 to 6 p.m. Saturdays on WIND 560 AM.