AREA RESTAURANTS PARTICIPATE IN HEART-HEALTHY EATING GUIDE

The typical American family eats out an average of 3.5 times per week, and selection of low-fat, low-calorie foods is not always easy.

The Heart Institute at St. Francis Medical Center, in cooperation with the American Heart Association-Missouri Affiliate Inc. has published a guide for healthful dining out. The guide, entitled "Smart Choice," offers tips on ordering heart-healthy foods from the menu.

In preparing the guide, more than 200 Southeast Missouri restaurants were asked to respond to 16 questions concerning health foods and what they offer. Participating restaurants and their answers are included in the publication.

The first run was for 30,000 copies.

"A total of 39 restaurants responded to our questionnaire," said Mary Spell of the public relations department at St. Francis Medical Center. "We hope to add more restaurants in future editions."

Among restaurants included in the first edition are Chinese restaurants, family restaurants and fast-food restaurants in a number of area towns.

For additional information concerning the booklet or heart-healthy eating habits, contract the American Heart Association, 335-3240 or St. Francis Medical Center, 339-6157.