Menulog has partnered with nutritionist, Dr Joanna McMillan to launch a world-first program designed to help diners identify healthy takeaway options.
The Healthy+ program identifies healthy options on takeaway menus across restaurants listed on Menulog via guidelines created by McMillan. The Healthy+ icon will be visible beside menu items that meet these guidelines, making it easier for diners to identify healthier choices when ordering.
“Some people don’t think of takeaway as healthy, but that’s not the case,” says Menulog spokesperson Julia Snabl. “This campaign will make it easy to identify the healthiest options offered by our restaurant partners. Takeaway is a popular choice for busy people – from working professionals, to families and students. We think it’s a wonderful opportunity to help people make great nutritious and delicious choices.”
“The guidelines we have created for Menulog Healthy+ are to help you select balanced, healthy dishes with a good mix of nutrients,” says McMillan. “We want everyone to enjoy the pleasure of food and in this campaign, we want to assist in identifying the healthiest options – takeaway you can eat and feel good about.”
McMillan says that in order for a meal to comply with the Healthy+ guidelines, it must offer:
- lean protein or those rich in healthy fats such as salmon
- smart carbs that are low-GI
- fibre and nutrient-rich
- good fats
To kick off the program, McMillan has analysed takeaway menus of several Menulog-listed restaurants in each of Australia’s four major cities (Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth), selecting dishes that will receive the first Healthy+ icons.
After the launch period, Menulog will invite restaurant owners to put forward menu items for Healthy+ accreditation using McMillan’s guidelines.