60% of consumers want healthier pub menus
Almost 60% of UK consumers want more healthy options on pub and restaurant menus, according to a Unilever Food Solutions survey.
Meanwhile, a US study showed that up to 30% of diners would be happy to pay more for healthier options.
International Nutritionist Mary Dunkersloot advised chefs to offer better descriptions of healthy dishes so that consumers understand what is in the dish.
"What consumers order is determined by what is on the menu," she said. "Low fat and low sodium might not be the most appealing descriptions for a menu but if the chef can reduce salt and fat in all dishes and then highlight the fresh and natural ingredients, then it's a winner all round. This way, healthy food becomes the norm not the exception.
"We also need to be careful not to demonise some foods — after all we all need guilt-free indulgence sometimes."
Ray Lorimer, executive chef and culinary controller at Unilever Food Solutions, added: "It is essential that the pleasure of dining out isn't diminished."