| Americans are "eating out" more than ever
before, and in many cases being more diet conscious than ever before. In a restaurant environment, however, it can be difficult and
confusing to make healthy decisions.
Carolinas Medical Center, Johnson & Wales University,
Charlotte Campus and some of the city's most respected culinary artists (see
list below) have joined forces to produce healthy choices that can be savored
and celebrated in the city's finest restaurants.
CMC and J&W have partnered to
develop Eat Well, Carolinas!, which celebrates the art of flavorful cooking and
recognizes all the fresh and exciting ingredients that can contribute to
improved health.
Local, fine-dining restaurants are
adding new menu items that meet the healthy criteria set by nutrition
professionals at both CMC and J&W.
Look for this sign at participating restaurants
where you'll find healthy menu choices prepared by some of the areas finest
chefs.
Participating
Restaurants
Featured Chefs
Nobles................................................Chef Kyle Krieger
Blue....................................................Chef
Gene Briggs
Table..................................................Chef Gene
Briggs
Arpa...................................................Chef Tom
Condron
Mimosa..............................................Chef Tom Condron
Upstream...........................................Chef Tom Condron
Zink....................................................Chef Tom Condron
Sonoma.............................................Chef Tim
Groody
Town.................................................Chef Tim
Groody
 The food and beverage choices we make at mealtimes and
in-between can have a dramatic impact on our overall well-being. Here are some resources to
assist you in achieving your goals for maintaining a healthy body weight and
self-image.
Healthy
Recipes
Nutritional
Counseling
Carolinas
Integrative Health
Nutritionists at Carolinas Integrative Health offer guidance on how to best utilize
food to maximize health and wellness based on individual nutritional needs.
Clients will also learn how to combine complementary and traditional healthcare
interventions to optimize your health.
Center for Cardiovascular
Health
Registered dietitians at the Center for Cardiovascular
Health have resources to
analyze patient's diets and determine healthy weight goals. This information is
incorporated to teach patients practical skills and knowledge needed to make
positive changes in eating habits.
Weight
Management
Center for
Cardiovascular Health
Registered dieticians at the Center for Cardiovascular
Health
can address weight management and meal replacement
program options.
YMCA Health
Centers
For more information about body
assessments and weight loss programs, contact a registered nurse at the CMC Health Center
at your neighborhood
YMCA.
Fit City Challenge
Fit City Challenge is a program
sponsored by the Mecklenburg County Health Department that encourages increased
physical activity and healthy eating habits in order to lose weight. For more
information or to register online, visit the Fit City Challenge web site.
Is Your
Weight Increasing Your Health Risks?
Click here to find out whether your weight increases your health
risks.
What Is Your Body Mass Index (BMI)?
Use this interactive
tool to check your body mass index .
Eat Well,
Carolinas!
Eat Well, Carolinas! recognizes all the fresh and exciting
ingredients that can offer the benefit of improving overall health. Dishes
earning the Eat Well seal of approval represent Mediterranean-style cuisine,
emphasize moderate portions; slower dining; fresh ingredients including herbs,
vegetables, fruits, seeds, whole grains, lean protein and reduced amounts of red
meat and butter. These elegant entrees exude the invitation of color, aroma and
taste.
Eat Well, Carolinas! Program
Basics
Charlotte's finest
culinary artists were invited to submit recipes that met healthy criteria set by
nutrition professionals at both Carolinas Medical Center's Center for
Cardiovascular Health and Johnson & Wales University, Charlotte
Campus.
Recipes were qualified based on several criteria including:
-
Inclusion of fruits, vegetables, and "whole" grains (for
nutrient, antioxidant, phytochemical value)
-
Using healthy fat as a replacement for less healthy
saturated fats; eliminating unhealthy "trans" fats
-
Voluntary inclusion of lean proteins like seafood (with
beneficial Omega 3 fatty acids), turkey, beans, etc.
The focus of the program is not on calorie level or calorie
counting but more on "eating for good health." The idea is to minimize calories
without sacrificing flavor and nutrient density. Entrées are designated by two
categories: large plate and small plate:
Large Plate Entrées
Small Plate
Entrées
-
Appetizer-sized portion
-
Do not exceed 600 calories
-
A minimum of three total servings from vegetables, fruits
and whole grains
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