- Choose healthier ingredients, such as lean proteins, low-fat dairy, and whole grains.
- Utilize beneficial cooking methods like steaming, boiling, baking, grilling, or broiling.
- Offer smaller portion sizes or half portions to reduce calorie and fat intake.
- Provide nutritional information and a variety of healthy options on the menu.
- Use smaller plates to help control portion sizes.
Consumers saw an increase of 0.6 percent in restaurant prices compared to January 2022, with food-away-from-home CPI rising 8.2 per cent since then.
Although 2023 is expected to bring slower increases than the previous year did, it will still be above historical averages. All food costs are forecasted to rise 7.9 per cent this year, with a potential range between 5.5 per cent and 10.3 per cent.
And to attract more customers, restaurant owners should consider the health of their customers. Offering healthy options can make a difference in customer satisfaction and loyalty. Here are some ways for you to make your menu items healthier.
Table of Contents
Choose Healthy Ingredients
The key to creating healthier dishes is to start with the right ingredients. Opt for lean proteins such as fish, chicken, and turkey over red meats like beef and pork. Choose low-fat dairy products like skim milk or plain yoghurt instead of heavy cream or whole milk. Use whole-grain flour and bread instead of white flour and refined grains.
Fresh Vegetables
And select fresh vegetables whenever possible; frozen vegetables can also be used, but canned versions are often high in sodium. Finally, try to stay away from processed foods whenever possible. They are often high in sodium and sugar. They can also contain unhealthy additives like preservatives, flavourings, and colouring agents.
Cooking Oil
Aside from the ingredients themselves, the types of cooking oil and methods used can also make a difference in the nutritional value of your dishes.
Switching from frying to baking or sautéing is one way to reduce calorie and fat content. You can find a reputable canola oil manufacturer to supply your cooking oil needs. The oil is considered healthy since it has a low level of saturated fat. It also has a good amount of omega-3 and monosaturated fats, which is healthy.
Modify Recipes
Many popular restaurant dishes are loaded with unhealthy fats and calories. Fortunately, you can modify many recipes to make them healthier without sacrificing flavour or texture. For example, you could substitute olive oil for butter in a sauce or use low-fat mayonnaise instead of regular mayonnaise in a salad dressing.
Lower Salt Content
You could also reduce the amount of salt used in a dish by adding herbs and spices for flavour instead of relying solely on salt for taste enhancement. Additionally, you could replace whole eggs with egg whites and use leaner cuts of meat to reduce the fat content in your meals. By making healthier substitutions, you can easily create delicious dishes that are better for your health.
Reduce Portion Sizes
People know that portion sizes have grown significantly over the past few decades, leading to increased obesity rates worldwide. To combat this issue, restaurants should offer smaller portions or allow customers to order half portions at a reduced price. This allows customers to enjoy their favourite dishes without feeling too full afterwards!
Nutritional Information
Additionally, restaurants should provide nutritional information so that customers can make an informed decision about what they’re ordering before they do so. By offering smaller portions and nutritional information, restaurants can help customers make healthier choices.
Smaller Plates
Another way to reduce portion sizes is to use smaller plates in the restaurant. This makes it easier to plate smaller portions without making them appear too small for customers. Additionally, if customers can see the portion size before ordering, they may be more likely to order smaller portions.
Utilize Healthy Cooking Methods
The importance of healthy cooking methods in a restaurant must be considered. Using such methods help ensure the nutritional integrity of food served to customers. They can also help to promote a healthier lifestyle for employees and patrons alike.
Other Cooking Methods
You can cook through steaming, boiling, baking, grilling, or broiling to ensure maximum nutrition is maintained in each meal. Steaming foods like vegetables and other items help preserve their nutritional content without the added fat and calories from frying.
Boiling foods helps retain vitamins and minerals and reduce the risk of overcooking. Baking can help create low-fat, healthier meals that still taste great. Grilling and broiling can help to create a flavour that is not only delicious but also lower in fat.
Making your restaurant menu items healthier doesn’t have to be difficult-it just takes some planning ahead!
By following the tips in the article, you can ensure that your customers get nutritious meals without sacrificing taste or texture! With these tips in mind, you’ll be well on your way toward serving delicious yet healthy dishes that will satisfy your diners’ palates and waistlines!
