Restaurants Encourage Healthy Eating on the Go

Most restaurants are closed this Christmas day, but come tomorrow it will be back to business as usual.

That means many of us headed back to office Thursday or off for the holiday break are likely to eating out later this week. We’ll do it as too many New Mexico children and adults are living at an unhealthy weight.

An estimated 27 percent of adults are medically obese in New Mexico, making us the 30th most obese in the nation according to the Trust for America's Health and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. A Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report in August showed New Mexico is one of 19 states and US territories to experience a decline in obesity rates among preschool children from low-income families. Still, nearly 37 percent of our state’s third graders are overweight or obese.

Those numbers weigh heavily on New Mexico’s Department of Health, and are big reason why its Healthy Kids Healthy Communities Las Cruces program and many community partners have worked together to create “Healthy Eating on the Go”.

The campaign works with local restaurants promoting healthy options to customers.

“It’s hard to eat right when you go out to eat,” said project coordinator Liz Maldonado.”Your first thought is to clean your plate.”

That’s just one of the tips “Healthy Eating on the Go” shares: box half of your meal. The reason? Portion sizes at most restaurants are often more than double what you need to maintain a healthy body weight.

“Not everyone knows what they can do to better their health,” said Maldonado, “The great thing about this project though is it gives you quick easy tips you can use almost anywhere you go to eat.”

Participating restaurants are helping spread the word in a variety of ways: table toppers, posters, window decals. The tips are simple – for some you have to just ask, others you act upon.

For example, ask for your low fat dressing for your salad to be served on the side. Ask for whole wheat breads or tortillas where available. And act: seek out steamed vegetables as your side dish instead of a baked potato or choose grilled menu options instead of those that are breaded or crispy.

The “Healthy Eating on the Go” project has launched at participating Las Cruces restaurants, including De La Vega’s Pecan Grill, Mountain View Market, Boba Café and Josefina’s Old Gate in Mesilla.

It’s a great start for a healthier dining out experience this holiday season.

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