With many of us trying to do the right thing, choosing healthier food, when we eat it’s no wonder so many restaurants are making a shift to healthier menu ingredients.
Recently, Papa John’s (the global pizza brand) made good on its promise to eliminate a number of chemicals and ingredients from its menu items and ingredients list. The list of ingredients that the brand removed includes:
- Synthetic Beta Carotene
- Caramel Color
- Corn Syrup Solids
- Titanium Dioxide
- Vanillin Flavor
- Disodium Guanylate
- Disodium Inosinate
- Hydrolyzed Corn/Soy Protein
- Autolyzed Yeast Sweeteners
- High Fructose Corn Syrup
That’s a pretty long list, and these kinds of changes don’t just happen overnight. These kinds of changes impact every franchise, supplier, distributor and a number of other players. In fact, this kind of real menu change can take years to fully implement. The change requires recipe testing, consultation with vendors and franchisees.
According to some reports, Papa John’s changes will cost them upwards of $100 million per year until completed.
These Changes Are Good – Even if You Don’t Eat Papa John’s
The Papa John’s example is one of comprehensive change. They know it will set them apart in their category and that’s a good thing. But it will also set an example of real change for other brands. So, even if you don’t eat Papa John’s pizza, or any pizza for that matter, there’s still pressure on the entire QSR industry to adopt this kind of healthy menu changes.
Even if it’s done slowly, QSR brands can quickly set themselves apart by implementing some of the easier changes first and then working toward having a truly healthy menu.
What Can You Do To Eat Healthier When You Dine Out?
Eating healthy while you dine out is, fortunately, getting easier all the time. The first thing you can do is search for healthy options online – many brands are eager to market their healthy choices – even going so far as to offer limited time offers and special deals to get a healthy menu item in front of you.
Another thing you can do is ask. When you’re in your favorite menu, ask if there are some new healthier options to try. or you could also start asking if some of the ingredients listed above are used in menu items. It may not make for the easiest/most comfortable conversation in a restaurant, so feel free to call ahead.
Lastly, ask your friends where they eat. Chances are, you know at least one person who’s bent on eating healthy and has found at least one option for dining out that meets their healthy menu demands.
Have you been doing your best to eat healthy when you dine out? Let us know your secrets in the comments!
