Tips to Help Your Whole Family Eat Healthier When Dining Out + Recap of This Past Weekend's NRA Show 2014 #KidsLiveWell #Sponsored

Disclosure:  I am participating in a sponsored Triberr campaign for the NRA and the #KidsLiveWell Program.  All views shared are mine and mine alone.

One of the things I love about the Internet is how you can follow or participate in events that are happening in another state or part of the world, without having to leave your house, or even take part while on the go using your mobile device.  Well, this past Saturday, while enjoying the day with family, I also found time to break away and follow the happenings of the NRA Show 2014, which is taking place at McCormick Place in Chicago, IL, May 17-20th.  

"The National Restaurant Association is a one stop solution for the professionals who represent the restaurant industry as this show will bring in the latest and effective range of equipments and accessories which are needed by the restaurant professionals. This oldest restaurant show has achieved popularity from all over the world and the positive feedback that it received has motivated it to grow to newer heights of success."

While I do not work in the restaurant industry, my background is in health education and one topic the folks at the NRA were talking about this past Saturday which I would interested was about their Kids LiveWell Program. The folks at the NRA are partnering with Healthy Dining to offer a Kids LiveWell Program, which will call on restaurants to offer up healthy foods for kids.  As a parent who is cautious of what I feed my child, especially when we are dining out, I love the reassurance this new initiative offers in that restaurants also want to offer healthy options for kids, too. Even though the Kids LiveWell initiative is a voluntary program, over 41,000 restaurants have already signed on and are committed to offering healthier children's menu options, for family's dining out.  How great is that! 

In addition to this wonderful and much needed restaurant initiative, the folks at the National Restaurant Association and McCormick For Chefs created a Kids Recipe Challenge, for participating restaurants & food service providers to enter. And, during Saturday's scheduled events, the four 2014 Kids LiveWell Recipe Challenge Winners were introduced and given their awards. 

The Kids Recipe Challenge is a fun and creative way to showcase healthy menu options available when dining out.  Those who have taking the pledge to offer a more healthier children's menu submitted their creative culinary creations from their kids menus, for consideration and chance to win an award.

2014 Kids LiveWell Recipe Challenge Winners:

• Bean Sprouts Café & Cooking School
• O’Charley’s
• Sysco Hampton Roads
• UW Health

Runners up and other finalists who participated in this challenge included:

Runners-Up:

• Culinary RD
• Great New Hampshire Restaurants
• Morrison Test Kitchen

Finalists:

• Boston Lobster Feast
• Chartwells
• Mama Fu’s
• Monterey Peninsula Unified School District
• Mt. Princeton Hot Springs Resort
• Sodexo
• S&R Little Chef’s Kitchen
• Tony Roma’s
• Walt Disney World Parks and Resorts

And, here is a photo of the four 2014 Kids LiveWell Recipe Challenge Winners accepting their awards at this year's NRA Show 2014:  

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One of my favorite chefs who I enjoy watching on television, as well as creating recipes from his many cookbooks is Chef Robert Irvine.  When I heard that he was talking at the NRA Show, I couldn't wait to see photos and hear what attendees thought of his presentation.  It was perfect timing, as Chef Robert Irvine took to the stage a few minutes after my girls went down for their afternoon nap.  So, I was free to follow attendees on Twitter and hear what they thought of Chef Robert.  In addition to the many photos shared of Chef Irvine, many attendees kept tweeting about how he was talking about the importance of healthy meals, and getting kids to be more active.  

As a health educator, I couldn't agree more with Chef Robert Irvine's thoughts, and am so happy to see the partnership between the NRA and Healthy Dining to offer a Kids LiveWell Program.  But, we are a long way from being able to offer our children healthy meals at all restaurant establishments. One attendee shared a sobering fact: "There are 42k restaurants participating in #KidsLiveWell - but, there are more than a million restaurants in the US.  Here's hoping in the months and years to come that these other restaurants jump on board and take the pledge to offer healthier meal options not only for kids, but for adults, too.

I was so glad that while I couldn't attend the NRA Show 2014 in person, that I found time to follow along and hear what attendees thought through this tweets, Facebook posts and Instagram photos shared.  I will continue to follow the #KidsLiveWell initiative and hope you will take time to check out the Healthy Dining Finder, and download the FREE Kids LiveWell Mobile app, so that your next dining experience out with the kids can be a healthier one.    

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Below are some great tips for both kids and adults when it comes to dining out, and choosing the best menu items for your family. These and other useful resources and tips can be found at HealthyDiningFinder.com.

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Tips to Help Your Whole Family Eat Healthier

First, let starts with some great meal suggestions for the kiddos, when it comes to dining out with these at popular restaurants like Chili's, Denny's, Boston Market, who are just a handful of restaurants who took the #KidsLiveWell pledge to offer healthy meal choices for kids on their menus. You can learn about other restaurants in your area, who are also adding healthier menu choices for kids by visiting http://www.healthydiningfinder.com/ or checking out the FREE Kids LiveWell mobile app, 

7 Kids LiveWell Meals

"The days may be getting longer, but it seems like the lists of things we have to get done is, also.  If you’re finding that you need a little help getting everything on your list crossed off, how about relying on restaurants and Healthy Dining’s dietitians to take some of the work and worry off your plate with hand-picked Kids LiveWell menu choices at locations nationwide.  From on-the-run breakfasts to take-a-breather-before-practice dinners, these 7 Kids LiveWell menu choices have you and your family covered:

Egg White and Cheddar Breakfast Sandwich, Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal and Orange Juice at Au Bon Pain
(Fruit, Lean Protein, Whole grains)


Kids Turkey with Kids Sweet Corn and Milk at Boston Market
(Vegetable, Lean Protein, Lower Fat Dairy)


Grilled Chicken Sandwich, Steamed Broccoli and Orange Juice at Chili’s
(Fruit, Vegetable, Lean Protein, Whole Grains)


Jr. French Toast Breakfast at Denny’s
(Fruit, Lean Protein, Whole Grains)


Kid's Snow Crab with Corn on the Cob and Steamed Rice at Joe’s Crab Shack
(Fruit, Vegetable, Lean Protein)


Joey Sirloin Medallions with Broccoli and Apple Juice at Outback
(Fruit, Vegetable, Lean Protein)


Rad Robin Chicken Burger with Apples at Red Robin
(Fruit, Lean Protein)


Grilled Shrimp Skewers with Broccoli at Sizzler
(Vegetable, Lean Protein)

Call ahead for quick pick-up at many of these nationwide, family-friendly restaurants or take a little time to enjoy a meal together before you hit the ground running again.  All of these restaurants offer both Kids LiveWell and Healthy Dining menu choices to make finding the BEST choices at restaurants easy.  Search for more restaurants near you serving dietitian-recommended Healthy Dining picks using the mobile-friendly app found at HealthyDiningFinder.com."

Source: http://www.healthydiningfinder.com/blogs-recipes-more/Healthy-Kids/7-Kids-LiveWell-Meals

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And, for parents who are watching their waistlines or simply want to be more aware of what they are eating when dining out will find the following 10 tips about eating healthy while dining out very useful...

10 Tips for Eating Healthy at Restaurants

"Eating healthy at restaurants is becoming more important than ever these days.  With the average person eating out around 4-5 times per week, making the best choices eating out at restaurants is key to a healthy diet and lifestyle.  Healthy Dining’s restaurant nutrition experts make it easy for you to enjoy dining out without the worry, thanks to featured menu choices, nutrition information and these 10 tips for eating healthy at restaurants:

1. Ask your server how dishes are prepared – method and ingredients can make all the difference.
2. Find out what comes with your meal – nutrition information posted may not include sides.
3. Choose dishes seasoned with herbs and spices instead of sauces, gravies and dressings.
4. Request sauces, dressings and gravies on the side and use as needed (a little can go a long way).
5. Keep portion sizes in mind – even “healthy” meals can come in extra-large servings.
6. Create your own healthier picks – pair smaller appetizers, side dishes, soups and/or salads.
7. Swap in an extra serving of vegetables for higher calorie sides.
8. Aim to fill half your plate with fruits and vegetables – this is a key MyPlate recommendation.
9. Tame hunger to help prevent over-eating with a pre-dinner salad or broth-based soup.
10. Opt for fresh fruit or sorbet for dessert – less fat and fewer calories, same sweet finish.

When enjoying a meal out, it’s not about unhealthy or healthy restaurants.  Make the best choices for your diet and lifestyle when you have all the tools and information.  Healthy eating at restaurants is even easier when you search for dietitian-recommended Healthy Dining picks on the mobile-friendly HealthyDiningFinder.com, which you can download for FREE."

Source: http://www.healthydiningfinder.com/blogs-recipes-more/Road-to-Health/10-Tips-for-Eating-Healthy-at-Restaurants

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Want to see if there are restaurants in your area that have made this commitment to offering up healthier meal choices for our children?  Then, visit HealthyDiningFinder.com to see the growing list of restaurants and their healthy menu items for kids. 


Disclosure:  I am participating in a sponsored Triberr campaign for the NRA and the #KidsLiveWell Program.  All views shared are mine and mine alone.