News Release
Monday, November 15, 2004
Contact: Colleen Young, (202) 686-2210, ext. 330; cyoung@pcrm.org
Survey Shows More Low-fat and Vegetarian Choices
Available at Top U.S. Airports
Miami Takes First Place; Minneapolis Wins “Most Improved” Award;
Las Vegas Ranks Lowest Second Year in a Row
Washington, D.C.—America’s busiest
airports are responding to the public’s interest in healthier
food, according to a new report released today by the Physicians
Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM). PCRM nutritionists surveyed
12 of the busiest U.S. airports for the availability of healthy
entrées. Three-quarters of the airports improved their scores
from last year, and nearly 85 percent offered a healthy option (defined
as a low-fat, vegetarian entree) in at least half of their restaurants.
Miami topped the list with 85 percent of its restaurants offering
healthy choices, a marked improvement from last year’s fifth
place. Detroit came in a close second with a score of 83 percent,
thanks to its innovative “Heart Smart” nutrition plan.
Dallas and New York made significant strides with both airports
increasing their scores by 16 points. Minneapolis wins this year’s
“most improved airport” award by gaining 20 points and
jumping from last place in 2003 to ninth this year. Phoenix and
Las Vegas received the two lowest scores by not offering even one
healthy entrée in half of their eateries.
PCRM nutritionists evaluated the restaurants in all 12 airports,
giving each restaurant a point if its menu included at least one
low-fat, high-fiber, and vegetarian entrée. The final percentage
score was derived by dividing the airport’s number of healthy
restaurants by the total number of restaurants.
PCRM’s 2004 Airport Food Ratings: Availability
of Healthy Vegetarian Choices 12 of the Busiest Airports
in the U.S. from Best to Worst
|
Airport |
Score |
1) Miami |
85% |
2) Detroit |
83% |
3) Denver |
78% |
4) Chicago |
75% |
5) New York |
73% |
6) Atlanta |
64% |
7) Newark |
63% |
8) Dallas |
59% |
9) Minneapolis-St. Paul |
54% |
10) Los Angeles |
53% |
11) Phoenix |
44% |
12) Las Vegas |
33% |
As noted in PCRM’s report, more travelers are turning to
restaurants in airport terminals during layovers or in response
to airlines cutting back on in-flight meals. Also, many of the airlines
have switched to a “buy-on-board” option, which usually
features a high-fat sandwich with chips and a cookie. Possibly in
response to this trend, almost 10 percent more of the surveyed airports
offer a healthful option compared to last year.
PCRM’s Trulie Ankerberg-Nobis, M.S., R.D., has some general
advice for holiday travelers looking to grab a bite during a layover
or in anticipation of a foodless flight. “Travelers should
look for non-dairy vegetarian options, which will be naturally lower
in fat and higher in fiber,” she said. “Two good bets—available
at many airports—are a veggie burger and a bean burrito found
at most fast-food style restaurants.”
See the complete airport
food review, or download
the PDF. To schedule an interview with a PCRM spokesperson, please
contact Colleen Young, at (202) 686-2210, ext. 330, or cyoung@pcrm.org.
Founded in 1985, the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine
is a nonprofit health organization that promotes preventive medicine,
especially good nutrition. PCRM also conducts clinical research
studies, opposes unethical human experimentation, and promotes alternatives
to animal research.
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