In 15 years of reporting for CNN and visiting restaurants from Miami to Minneapolis, I have witnessed an encouraging trend. More foodservice operators at all price levels are adding menu alternatives that fit in with fitness. Healthful menu choices fall somewhere in between.
Flavor is still the priority, but preparation requires a new level of culinary creativity.
It is the aim of this column to give restaurant operators the information they need to comply with those rules so they can offer their customers the healthful alternatives they seek. My personal philosophy, based on more than a decade of covering diets, is that the more you know about nutrition, the more you can eat. Customers should understand that balance, variety and moderation refer to the total calories, fat or sodium consumed in one day, or over several days. All menu choices can fit into a healthy lifestyle. But it sure helps when the chef knows how to cut the fat and calories without the taste buds missing a thing.