It is estimated that 61% of Americans are obese or overweight. According to the American Dietetic Association the most likely causes of escalating obesity rates are increased per capita caloric consumption and larger portion sizes, along with a lack of adequate physical activity.

Foodservice operators can help customers to be healthier by offering smaller portions and by incorporating more fruits and vegetables into menus. If you do this creatively, your customers will benefit taste-wise and health-wise.

(Photo Courtesy of the National Turkey Federation)

Top 5 Ways of Preventing Obesity

1. Portion Control: Know what an adequate portion is, how much you need per day and then per meal. Keep amounts of food in meals to these levels. Don't 'fool' yourself by saying something is 1/2 cup when it really is 1 cup. (The calories in a cup of creamy clam chowder may go from 250 to 500 with that slight alteration ... and 250 calories a day, in 14 days will result in a pound of weight gain, and you'll wonder why!)
   
   
2. When thinking about food, plan how to get those 5 (better yet 7-9) servings of fruits and vegetables in to your meals that day. Be creative... Dips are good, many low fat sauces with good herbs and spices can taste great.
   
   
3. Be aware of what you eat no matter what it is or when it is. If necessary, writing it down will help.
   
   
4. Include some complex carbohydrate, protein and a little fat (no trans-fats) in each meal. This will prevent hunger occurring too rapidly, should stabilize blood sugars, and should prevent one from thinking that they 'haven't had a thing to eat.'
   
   
5. BE ACTIVE. It's ok to fidget! Try to squeeze in at least 20 minutes of continuous activity per day and then anything else you possibly can --from running back upstairs because you forgot something to walking back and forth while talking on the phone.

Courtesy of Mary Rusk, R.D.

(Photo Courtesy of the California Table Grape Commission)

Smart Snack Ideas:

• One cup of grapes
• Pretzels
• Frozen yogurt
• Frozen grapes
• A fresh fruit smoothie
• Low-fat cheese and crackers
• Dried fruit
• Baby Cut Carrots
• Half a bagel with light cream cheese
• A side salad with light ranch dressing
• Frozen fruit pop (made with 100% fruit juice)
• Canned fruit cocktail
• Fat-free chocolate pudding with grapes

Courtesy of the California Table Grape Commission