The project “Healthy Menu” is to provide, by 2012, more healthful foods in restaurants frequented by young people.

The project, put forward by the Foundation of the Institute of Tourism and Hospitality of Quebec (ITHQ), Reference Center in nutrition from the University of Montreal (Nutrium) and the Restaurant Association of Quebec (ARQ), is funded by the Fund for the promotion of healthy habits life.1.

During the first year the project will have a budget of $ 1.2 million and will focus snacks arenas hockey in Quebec.

Then, during the 2 years following the project will extend the cafeterias of schools, fast food outlets and family restaurants. The total project budget could reach $ 3 million.
Training for conservators

The goal of “The Healthy Menu” is to “revise the basic nutritional knowledge and culinary practices of cooks and managers of 100 eating establishments for young people to offer them food both nutritious and delicious” said Lucille Daoust, director general of the ITHQ.

According to Lucille Daoust, lack of training of employees of such institutions is a limit to the supply of healthy meals for young people who attend these institutions.

Therefore Nutrium ITHQ and create a nutrition and culinary training appropriate and practical, “to enhance the knowledge necessary to, for example, the distinction between good and bad oil,” she mentioned.

Response teams, composed of chefs, professors of management and nutritionists, will visit the catering trade so that they improve the health aspect of their food supply rather than change it completely.
Poutine not disappear, but …

Thus, hot dogs and poutine are always available, but we will try to find the balance between the nutrient side and flavor of other dishes offered in these restaurants.

“Our goal is not to completely eliminate junk food, but rather to educate restaurateurs on healthy eating and encourage them to be creative,” said Lucille Daoust.