PHILADELPHIA, June 20, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- With the summer season in
full
swing, Aramark (NYSE: ARMK), the largest U.S.-based food service
s provider, and
the American Heart Association (AHA), the nation's largest voluntary
organization dedicated to fighting heart disease and stroke,
are
working together to improve the health of Americans, and are
sharing tips
to help everyone have a healthy summer.
In support of their Healthy for Life® 20 By 20 initiative
Aramark tapped into its
network of more than 750 registered dietitians and 1,600
chefs and the AHA
leveraged its national network of experts, to compile the
following summer
menu tips and health ideas to make the most of the season.
MENU TIPS
LIGHTEN UP YOUR SUMMERTIME LUNCHCool crisp salads, made from fresh
in-season ingredients, make for the
perfect lunch on a hot summer day. Lighten
up by dressing salads with
light vinaigrettes or lower calorie dressings,
instead of calorie laden
creamy options, like Caesar or Ranch, and think outside
the salad
box, by incorporating fresh summer fruits, or unexpected combinations,
like walnuts or raisins.
SPICE UP YOUR BARBEQUESpices and summer herbs are a great way to
add flavor to grilled meats,
fish, vegetables and fruits. Try any of these for
flavorful options:
- Ginger: Add to iced tea or summer smoothies (but remember,
- a little
goes a long way!).
- Ground Cinnamon: Sprinkle on everything from yogurt and
- cereal, or
even fresh fruit salad.
- Basil: Add unique flavor to fruit salads with basil. Delicious
- with
sweet ripe peaches, strawberries, watermelon or mango,
- and thinly sliced basil
and a little crumbled feta cheese to your
- favorite summer fruits.
- Cilantro: Mince fresh cilantro and add to your favorite salsa
- for a
burst of fresh flavor.
REFRESH AND REJUVENATE WITH FRESH SUMMER PRODUCEIt's important to
stay hydrated when enjoying the outdoors during the
summer months. Many summer
fruits and vegetables, such as tomatoes,
melons, zucchini and cucumbers, are
natural refreshers, since they
contain more than 90% water.
- Tomatoes: Tomatoes (90% water) are most flavorful and
- abundant in the
summer. Take advantage of this summer
- staple, by cutting into wedges and
marinating with light
- dressing, or slicing and placing atop a sandwich.
- Melons: Watermelons and cantaloupes (90-95% water)
- are perfect
in-season thirst quenchers. Serve chilled
- watermelon squares or cantaloupe on
Popsicle sticks;
- top with a little yogurt for an added treat.
- Zucchini: Zucchini and squash (95% water) are perfect
- for grilling.
Cut squash into thick slices, brush lightly with
- olive oil and/or preferred
spices, and grill for a few minutes.
- Cucumbers: Cucumbers (95% water) are a great
- addition to many summer
meals. Try a cool, refreshing
- cucumber salad:
- Thinly slice a cucumber and top with rice wine
- vinegar and sesame seeds.
- Combine with tomatoes, chopped bell peppers,
- onions & celery.
- Marinate in a light vinaigrette, chill and enjoy.
A LEANER TAKE ON BARBEQUE CLASSICSBurgers and hot dogs reign
supreme during the summer months.
For a healthier alternative and twist on the
traditional favorites,
swap out beef burgers for turkey or black bean burgers,
and traditional hot dogs for a turkey sausage or veggie dogs.
Top both with
diced tomatoes, cucumbers or onions, for
some added texture and crunch.
CHILL OUT WITH DESSERT Sweet frozen treats offer great escape from
the summer heat.
Keep a healthy balance, by choosing options like sugar free
water ice or popsicles, or stay cool with frozen yogurt or a
fruit parfait
topped with fruit and granola. Fresh fruit smoothies
are full of flavor and can
also satisfy hunger, quench thirst and
cool you down. If indulging in ice-cream,
choose a reasonable
portion and top with fresh berries.
SUMMER HEALTH & SAFETY TIPS
FOOD SAFETY TIPS FOR OUTDOOR EATINGWarm weather occasions with
friends and family present
opportunities for foodborne bacteria to thrive. The
following
tips can help protect you and your guests from foodborne
illness
during the warm-weather months:
- Transporting the food: Keeping cold food cold is key, so
- pack food
with ice or frozen packs, in a closed cooler,
- when traveling. Cold food should
be stored at 41°F (5°C)
- or below. Protect food from cross-contamination, by
- keeping raw meat, poultry, and seafood securely wrapped.
- Preparing the food: For a safe outdoor grilling experience,
- cooking
food thoroughly is a must. A food thermometer i
- s essential, to make sure food is
cooked safely. When
- grilling, keep grilled foods hot by moving to the side of
- the grill rack until it is ready to be served. Never use the
- same platter or
utensils that previously held raw meat,
- poultry, or seafood, and always have a
clean platter and
- utensils ready at grill-side, to serve your food.
- Serving the food: Cold perishable food should be kept
- in the cooler
at 41°F (5°C) or below, until serving time.
- Cold food should not sit out for
longer than two hours (
- or only one hour if the outdoor temperature is above
- 90°F
(32°C)). Make sure to wrap hot foods well in
- an insulated container until
serving. Hot food should
- be kept hot at 140°F (60°C) or above. Hot foods
- should
not sit out for more than two hours.
The following recipes will help give you a summer full of
healthy and
delicious options.
Lighten Up Chicken Caesar SaladServes 4
Ingredients:Chicken:
2 tsp vegetable oil
1 lb boneless,
skinless chicken breast
Dressing:
½ cup fat free mayonnaise
1 Tbsp lemon juice
1 Tbsp red
wine vinegar
1 ¾ tsp Dijon mustard
1 Tbsp grated Asiago cheese
1 ½ tsp
minced garlic
½ tsp ground black pepper
Salad:
1 ¼ lb romaine lettuce, cut into bite-size pieces (about 3
quarts)
2 cups plain croutons
½ tsp ground black pepper
Preparation:
- For the chicken: Heat oil in saute pan over medium-high heat.
- Add chicken
breasts. Sauté until no pink remains in center and
- internal temperature reaches
165° F. Cool. Cover. Chill. Slice thinly.
- For the dressing: Combine dressing ingredients. Whisk until well
- blended.
Cover. Chill.
- For the salad: Combine romaine, croutons and dressing. Toss to
- coat. Place
salad on serving platter. Top with sliced chicken and
- sprinkle with pepper.
- Serve immediately.
Nutrition Highlights (Per Serving)
Calories: 330 Total Fat: 9g Saturated
Fat: 2g Sodium: 580mg
Blueberry, Raspberry Yogurt Parfait Serves 4
Ingredients: 1 cup raspberries
1 cup blueberries
1 ½ cups
low fat vanilla yogurt
1 cup low fat granola without raisins
Preparation:
- In each 8 oz. clear glass, layer the following: ¼ cup raspberries, ¼ cup
blueberries
Nutrition Highlights (Per Serving)
Calories: 200 Fat: 3g Saturated Fat: 1g
Sodium: 115mg
Asian Marinated Vegetable Salad with Citrus
VinaigretteCourtesy of the American Heart
AssociationServes 4
Ingredients (salad)1 cup sugar snap peas
1 cup fresh broccoli,
cut into bite-size pieces
3 medium carrots, cut into bite-size pieces
¾
small red onion, cut into thin strips
1 medium diced tomato OR 14.5 ounces
canned, no-salt-added or low-sodium, diced tomatoes, drained
1 medium orange
OR canned mandarin oranges in lite syrup or own juice, drained, rinsed
2
tablespoon chopped, unsalted, unoiled almond slices or walnuts
1 teaspoon
sesame seeds (optional)
Ingredients (citrus vinaigrette) ½ cup sugar-free, 100% orange
juice OR juice from 2 medium oranges
¼ cup fresh cilantro OR 2 Tbsp. dried
cilantro
Juice from 1 lime OR 1 Tbsp. lime juice
1 tablespoon extra-virgin
olive oil
1 teaspoon honey
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
½ teaspoon
low-sodium soy sauce
1 teaspoon fresh, grated ginger OR 1/2 tsp. ground
ginger
Preparation
- Combine orange juice, cilantro, lime juice, olive oil, honey,
- mustard, soy
sauce and ginger in blender and process until
- smooth, set aside and chill. If
using dried cilantro and ginger,
- you can whisk in a bowl.
- Toss remaining ingredients with ¾ cup vinaigrette and chill
- for at least 4
hours.
Nutrition Highlights (Per Serving)
Calories: 137 Fat: 5.5g Saturated Fat:
0.5g Sodium: 90 mg
Cantaloupe Cucumber GazpachoCourtesy of the American
Heart AssociationServes 5
Ingredients: 3 cup diced cantaloupe (about 1/2 cantaloupe)
1
small cucumber, coarsely chopped
½ cup plain, fat-free Greek yogurt
½
teaspoon fresh ginger, grated OR ¼ teaspoon ground ginger
2 teaspoon fresh
basil, coarsely chopped OR 1 teaspoon dried basil
2 tablespoon fresh mint,
coarsely chopped OR 1 teaspoon dried mint
1 small fresh jalapeño pepper,
coarsely chopped
2 teaspoon extra virgin olive oil
¼ teaspoon champagne
vinegar or white wine vinegar
1 pinch cayenne pepper
Preparation
- Combine all ingredients in food processor. Puree until very smooth (about
2-3 minutes).
- Chill for 30 minutes and serve cold.
Recipe Tip: This soup is best when made fresh and eaten in the
same day.
Nutrition Highlights (Per Serving)
Calories: 66 Fat: 2.0g Saturated Fat:
0.5g Sodium: 25mg
About Aramark Aramark (NYSE: ARMK) delivers experiences that
enrich and nourish
people's lives through innovative services in food,
facilities management,
and uniforms. United by a passion to serve, our 270,000
employees make
a meaningful difference each day for millions of people in 21
countries
around the world. Aramark is recognized as one of the
World's Most
Admired Companies by
FORTUNE, rated number one among Diversified
Outsourcing Companies, as well as among the World's Most Ethical
Companies by
the Ethisphere Institute. Learn more at
www.aramark.com
or connect with us on
Facebook and
Twitter.
About the American Heart AssociationThe American
Heart Association is devoted to saving people from heart
disease and stroke –
the two leading causes of death in the world. We
team with millions of
volunteers to fund innovative research, fight for
stronger public health
policies, and provide lifesaving tools and
information to prevent and treat
these diseases. The Dallas-based
association is the nation's oldest and largest
voluntary organization
dedicated to fighting heart disease and stroke. To learn
more
or to get involved, call 1-800-AHA-USA1, visit
heart.org
or call any of our offices around the country.
Follow us on
Facebook and
Twitter.
Contact:
Erin Noss
215-409-7403
Noss-erin@aramark.com
Bryn Wassel
215-238-3054
Wassel-bryn@aramark.com