A pair of Texas County restaurants have partnered with Healthy Schools Healthy Communities (HSHC) to offer menu inserts highlighting healthier options.
The two participating establishments are the Frying Pan in Houston (at 6826 S. U.S. 63) and the LA Café in Cabool (at 519 Walnut Street). The “healthier alternatives” are featured on a separate page inserted in their main menus.
“I want people to understand that these inserts are by no means following any certain diet, as far as low-sugar, low-carbohydrate or anything like that,” said HSHC community coordinator Earlene Stoops. “This is just a baby step in the direction of trying to offer people healthier alternatives.”
Those alternatives include some foods that are known to be better for a human body than others.
“A baked potato is, of course, better for you than fried french fries, and baked fish is better than fried fish,” Stoops said. “Baked, boiled or broiled is always better than fried.”
Stoops said she hopes other local restaurants join in on the health-oriented project.
“This is about trying to help people be more health-conscious,” she said. “I want people to think about what they’re putting in their bodies. Our bodies are like a car engine; it’s only going to run as well as you take care of it.
“If you do nothing else, cut down on sugar. If you do your research you’ll find that the less sugar you consume, the better off you’ll be.”
Stoops can be reached at the Texas County Health Department at 417-967-4131.