The Nutrition Criteria
The Turn a New Leaf healthy eating program promotes foods that have been proven to support optimal health. The program helps diners limit sodium, total fat, saturated fat, and calories while increasing the consumption of fruits, vegetables, beans, and whole grains. The nutrition criteria of the Turn a New Leaf program supports a balanced diet and is appropriate for the general public.
Each menu item is analyzed based on ingredients, portion sizes and serving sizes. Each item is analyzed to determine whether it meets each of the following nutrition criteria:
· Less than 750 calories/serving
· Less than 8g of saturated fat/serving making up less than 10% of total calories
· No trans fat per serving
· Less than 600mg sodium/serving
· Each serving containing at least 1 cup of fruit and/or vegetables
· Each serving containing at least 1oz whole grains or ½ cup of legumes
Calories- Turn a New Leaf’s calorie guidelines are set to moderate the amount of calories consumed. It has been shown that meals and snacks prepared away from home contain more calories than those meals that are prepared at home. The calorie guidelines of the Turn a New Leaf program are compliant with recommendations to limit calories consumed outside the home.
Total Fat, Saturated Fat, and Trans Fat – Turn a New Leaf fat guidelines are compliant with FDA’s definition of “low fat.” The Turn a New Leaf program’s criteria include a saturated fat content limit of 10 percent of calories or less per meal or per item which is consistent with dietary recommendations of all national organizations with dietary guidelines. The over-arching goal is also to eliminate all trans fat if possible. Because a higher calorie meal may provide significant saturated fat at 10% of calories, the additional limit of less than 8 grams was added.
Sodium – TANL’s guidelines are consistent with the American Heart Association's (AHA) Dietary Guidelines and the USDA 2010 recommendations that encourage sodium intake to be less than 2,300mg each day.
Vitamins, Minerals, and Antioxidants – Vitamins, minerals and antioxidants are promoted for overall health in the general public. There is no specific target within the Turn a New Leaf criterion for these nutrients. These elements are promoted by the criteria guidelines that qualify meals containing a minimum of 2 servings of fruit and/or vegetables.
Fiber- The promotion of whole grains in the Turn a New Leaf program is based on the FDA recommendation to make at least half of grains consumed are whole grains. Whole grains and legumes (beans) contain fiber that is encouraged by the American Heart Association, American Diabetes Association, and the USDA.
As the menu items are analyzed, small adjustments may be recommended to the food venue in order to increase the number of “hearts” the item may receive. For example, a recommendation to switch to whole-wheat pasta may increase the “hearts” by meeting the ½ cup of whole grains/serving requirement. These recommendations are based on the Turn a New Leaf guidelines and the general nutrition knowledge of the Keene State Dietetic Interns analyzing the menu items.
Each menu item is analyzed based on ingredients, portion sizes and serving sizes. Each item is analyzed to determine whether it meets each of the following nutrition criteria:
· Less than 750 calories/serving
· Less than 8g of saturated fat/serving making up less than 10% of total calories
· No trans fat per serving
· Less than 600mg sodium/serving
· Each serving containing at least 1 cup of fruit and/or vegetables
· Each serving containing at least 1oz whole grains or ½ cup of legumes
Calories- Turn a New Leaf’s calorie guidelines are set to moderate the amount of calories consumed. It has been shown that meals and snacks prepared away from home contain more calories than those meals that are prepared at home. The calorie guidelines of the Turn a New Leaf program are compliant with recommendations to limit calories consumed outside the home.
Total Fat, Saturated Fat, and Trans Fat – Turn a New Leaf fat guidelines are compliant with FDA’s definition of “low fat.” The Turn a New Leaf program’s criteria include a saturated fat content limit of 10 percent of calories or less per meal or per item which is consistent with dietary recommendations of all national organizations with dietary guidelines. The over-arching goal is also to eliminate all trans fat if possible. Because a higher calorie meal may provide significant saturated fat at 10% of calories, the additional limit of less than 8 grams was added.
Sodium – TANL’s guidelines are consistent with the American Heart Association's (AHA) Dietary Guidelines and the USDA 2010 recommendations that encourage sodium intake to be less than 2,300mg each day.
Vitamins, Minerals, and Antioxidants – Vitamins, minerals and antioxidants are promoted for overall health in the general public. There is no specific target within the Turn a New Leaf criterion for these nutrients. These elements are promoted by the criteria guidelines that qualify meals containing a minimum of 2 servings of fruit and/or vegetables.
Fiber- The promotion of whole grains in the Turn a New Leaf program is based on the FDA recommendation to make at least half of grains consumed are whole grains. Whole grains and legumes (beans) contain fiber that is encouraged by the American Heart Association, American Diabetes Association, and the USDA.
As the menu items are analyzed, small adjustments may be recommended to the food venue in order to increase the number of “hearts” the item may receive. For example, a recommendation to switch to whole-wheat pasta may increase the “hearts” by meeting the ½ cup of whole grains/serving requirement. These recommendations are based on the Turn a New Leaf guidelines and the general nutrition knowledge of the Keene State Dietetic Interns analyzing the menu items.
Menu labels:
Once menu items are analyzed they are categorized as one heart, two hearts, or three hearts and given the appropriate label. The criteria for each is as follows:
The criteria for each is as follows:
The criteria for each is as follows:
Meets three of the Turn a New Leaf set criteria
Meets four of the Turn a New Leaf set criteria
Meets five or six of the Turn a New Leaf set criteria