If you are like most American’s, even during these economically challenging times, you find yourself eating several meals a week at restaurants.  And when we are not personally making the food and, instead, simply ordering from a menu, one will face some challenges when trying to eat healthier. For example, “better-for-you” options aren’t always easy to spot on the menu. Research shows that even dietitians – nutrition professionals – cannot accurately judge the calorie and fat content of restaurant meals. Who would imagine that grilled fish or chicken may contain unexpectedly high amounts of calories, fat, and sodium? That is because incomplete menu descriptions and “hidden” ingredients in sauces, marinades, and dressings make it impossible to know what you are getting nutritionally.

But now, a recently launched website – developed by HEALTHY DINING, a California-based team of health and nutrition professionals – has come to the rescue.  At HealthyDiningFinder.com, you can search for restaurants that offer a selection of healthier choices and view the nutrition information for those dishes: calories, fat, saturated fat, protein, carbohydrates, cholesterol, sodium, sugar, fiber, and fruit/vegetable servings. Menu items featured on the site focus on lean proteins, fruits and vegetables, and when possible, whole grains. HEALTHY DINING’s dietitians review and approve all menu items listed. Sometimes, “Special Requests” are noted, which explain how to modify your order to be more healthful.

The restaurants listed range from fast food to upscale dining and include close to 60,000 locations nationwide. And finding something that is right for you, something that is delicious AND nutritious, is simple. Just visit the website, enter your zip code or city location, select your price range and if you want delivery, carry-out, dine in, or all three. Then HealthyDiningFinder.com will not only show you all restaurants in the area which have menu options which their nutritionists have approved, but they will also tell you how many menu options you have at each restaurant, what the options are, and all of the data you need to be a healthy, informed restaurant patron. I know many people who use HealthDiningFinder.com from their iPhone or smart phone when at a restaurant deciding what to order. You can even sign up to receive newsletters with tips and information about eating out healthfully and recipes from restaurant chefs.

HealthyDiningFinder.com was developed in part by a grant provided by the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC).