By Nanci Hellmich, USA TODAY
VANCOUVER, B.C. — Diners would like to offer restaurants some tips, but we're not talking cash. They want restaurants to offer half-portion entrees and nutritional information on the menus.
These were among the findings of a nationwide online survey of 5,279 adults for ARAMARK Corp., a food services company.
The report was presented this week at the annual meeting of the Obesity Society.
The survey found that Americans eat away from home an average of 5.6 times a week.
Six kinds of diners
Health-focused (very concerned about nutrition) - 20%Passive dieters (somewhat concerned about nutrition) - 17%
Nutrition-curious indulgers (health conscious but sidetracked by busy schedules) - 17%
Indulgent risk-takers (never ask for nutrition information) - 17%
Health-riskers (heaviest diners) - 17%
Restaurant regulars (half say they never diet) - 12%
For more information: www.diningstyle.comSource: ARAMARK Corp.
Findings:
• 52% of consumers say restaurants should offer half-portion entrees. (Related story: Bigger portions will get eaten)
• 51% say they would be more likely to order more healthful items if those foods were offered as part of a value-priced combo meal.
• 83% say restaurants should make nutrition information available for all menu items.
• 88% would like to have healthful items highlighted separately on the menu.
• 62% say it's difficult to figure out what menu items are healthful.
• Time and convenience are the top reasons people eat meals away from home.
• 62% say they are not on a diet this year, up from 57% in 2004.
"As people go through different stages of life, their eating style at restaurants changes, and their needs change," says Chris Malone, senior vice president of marketing for ARAMARK.
Malone discussed consumer dining-out styles that range from nutritionally vigilant to reckless. Some people don't get serious about nutrition until they get older and illness sets in, he says.
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