Hospital's Green Light Choose Right Initiative Seeks to Promote Healthy Dining

Memorial Medical Center in Springfield, IL, launched a Green Light Choose Right stoplight label campaign in early March to encourage the some 3,000 daily diners in its cafeteria to select more healthful meal options without simply removing the choice to select things that aren't as healthy, reports the State Journal-Register. The initiative follows up a program begun last fall to increase the nutritional profile of the overall menu by increasing the use of fruits/vegetable and whole grains offerings, promoting water consumption and reducing sodium, fats and sugar. The labeling system is based on whether various main dishes, side items, soups, snacks and beverages meet all, half or less than half of Memorial's nutritional criteria.