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Added on Nov 27, 2006 | Filed Under:

Newly Renovated Restaurant Offers New Heart-Healthy Selections

NEW ORLEANS, LA Theres no doubt New Orleanians love to eat and especially during the holidays! Two locally-owned mainstays, Commanders Palace and Ochsner Health System, are joining forces again to help residents enjoy many of south Louisianas culinary delights on the lighter side. Commanders recent reopening marks the rebirth of Good & Hearty, a selection of dietitian-approved, heart-healthy menu options for patrons who are watching what they eat but still want to enjoy an exquisite Commanders meal. Commanders award-winning Executive Chef Tory McPhail along with Ochsner Cardiologist Richard Milani, M.D, and Elmwood Fitness Center Dietitian Molly Kimball, R.D., have come together to re-create the Good & Hearty Creole classics, initially introduced January 2003. The inspiration behind Good & Hearty was a 2005 CDC report that placed Louisiana 7th in the country for heart-disease related deaths. In fact, the leading cause of death for men and women of all racial and ethnic groups in Louisiana is cardiovascular disease. The Big Easy also claims the dubious honor of the 7th most obese U.S. city. Good & Hearty offers patrons selections that are low in fat and sodium, but still bare the signature Commanders Palace style. Its simply another option for our customers who prefer a lighter meal, says Chef McPhail. The rest of our menu will offer the same Commanders style for those who chose to indulge. Occasional indulgences are fine, says Kimball, moderation is always a good goal, but its when people consistently overindulge that health and weight problems begin. Kimball cites the so-called post-Katrina kilo as an example when many New Orleanians turned to comfort food to satisfy the emotional upheaval created by the storm and its aftermath. As long-time members of the community, were pleased to welcome residents back to Commanders Palace and view Good & Hearty as another way we can give back to our patrons. We know some may desire or require a healthier choice, and these recipes combine Torys culinary talents with Ochsners expertise, says Lally Brennan, Managing Partner at Commanders. The recipes McPhail prepares daily are based on American Heart Association guidelines and meet specific criteria for each selection, including: * Calories: Less than 400 * Total Fat: Less than 20 grams * Saturated Fat: Less than 8 grams * Cholesterol: Less than 150 mg * Sodium: Less than 1,000 mg

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