Three-quarters of Irish people who eat out regularly would choose healthy food options if they were more clearly marked on menus, according to a survey conducted by the Irish Heart Foundation.
The research, which was conducted in April in major urban areas throughout the country, shows that up to 88 per cent of those interviewed eat out at least once a week. The majority eat in pubs and workplace canteens, with lunchtime being the main occasion for more than 50 per cent of those surveyed.
Three-quarters spend less than £10 when eating out. The survey was commissioned to identify attitudes as part of the Happy Heart Eat Out campaign, which aims to encourage chefs to promote healthy low-fat options on menus in restaurants, hotels, pubs and workplace canteens.
Ms Maureen Mulvihill of the Irish Heart Foundation said it was encouraging to discover that so many of those questioned expressed a preference for healthy food options on menus. "But only 30 per said that menus clearly indicated grilled, poached or oven-baked foods, which helps to make choosing health options easier," she said.
A variety of pubs, restaurants and hotels are participating in the Happy Heart Eat Out campaign. "We found from the research that more than half of those interviewed would choose a main course which was not fried. Almost as many, 48 per cent, would prefer vegetables without dressing, while one-third look for low-fat spreads," said Ms Mulvihill.