AZ Smart Choice
The new Arizona smart Choice Program lowers the "guilt content" in one of Arizonan's favorite indulgences...Eating out!!!
Statistics show that obesity in Arizona has more than doubled since 1990, and suggest that one in five Arizona adults are currently obese. These facts are alarming, and have caused state leaders, businesses, and consumers to take notice. The new Arizona Smart Choice Program, which was officially launched in March, 2008 by the Arizona Department of Health Services, is designed to help combat the local obesity epidemic by assisting consumers in identifying healthy menu options at their favorite dining destinations.
"The Arizona Smart Choice Program is designed to help combat the local obesity epidemic by assisting consumers in identifying healthy menu options at their favorite dining destinations. "
The program, which is completely voluntary, allows restaurants to label items already on their menus as "healthy". The only catch is that the restaurants must first submit their chosen recipes to a qualified nutrient analysis and food labeling company. Upon determining that the foods meet the programs strict nutritional guidelines, the restaurant will be approved to enroll in the Smart Choice program.
Some benefits for participating restaurants, which already include McDonald's, Subway, Outback Steakhouse, and Macayo's, are: being listed on the Smart Choice website, access to the official program logo for use in advertising and marketing, official brochures and window decals, and statewide recognition and publicity. Currently, the ARA is working with over 100 additional Arizona restaurants, both independent and chain, to get them approved.
The Arizona Smart Choice Program will undoubtedly be of great benefit to local businesses, which is wonderful; more importantly, Arizona consumers will reap the benefits as well.
Since media coverage of obesity related health issues has increased, awareness of the risks and consequences associated with a poor diet is spreading like wildfire. Now we are striving more than ever to take steps toward living a healthy lifestyle and improving our overall well being, so the program has been introduced with great timing. It will help us remember the importance of good nutrition inside and outside of the home.
We will now be able to easily spot our favorite participating restaurants (window decals), and quickly identify the most healthy menu options (Smart Choice stickers). This means some of the guesswork and intimidation will be taken out of eating out healthy, and it will be free to remain exactly what it is meant to be...an enjoyable experience!
For more information, visit azsmartchoice.com, call 1-888-542-1886, or email azsmartchoice@azdhs.gov.
Happy, (healthy), dining!
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