In a groundbreaking move in the casual dining industry, T.G.I. Friday's restaurants are now offering a variety of smaller portion entrées at lower prices with a ‘Right Portion, Right Price’ menu.

Friday's announced six new entrées for the new menu, ranging in price from $6.99 – $8.99. Two of the offerings, Dragonfire Chicken and Shrimp Key West, are also included in the "Better For You" section of entrées containing 500 calories or less and 10 grams or less of fat per serving.

The move was praised by the American Dietetic Association: "Cutting back on portion sizes is one of the best strategies for helping individuals lose or maintain their weight," said an ADA spokesperson. "Most consumers won't even notice that they're being served less, and they'll really appreciate the potential health payoffs."

Michael F. Jacobson, executive director of the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) said, “In a world where appetizers, entrées, and desserts at a chain restaurant can top 2,000 calories apiece, I’m pleased that T.G.I. Friday’s is listening to their customers and recognizing that it can play a role in improving the public’s health.”

However, Jacobsen qualified his commendation by noting that T.G.I. Friday’s provides no nutrition information online or in its restaurants. CSPI advocates menu-labeling legislation requiring that calorie and nutrition information in restaurants be made available to consumers. Items in the “Better for You” category carry no nutritional information other than a tag of 500 calories or less and 10 grams or less of fat per serving.

It is estimated that Americans now get about one-third of their calories from restaurants.

Read the full story at:
http://www.cspinet.org/new/200703071.html

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