Q. Will having the award mean that I won't be able to choose delicious indulgent 'naughty' but nice dishes
A. No. This award is about making healthier choices available for those who want them, not restricting choice. The healthier choices will be available in addition to those ‘naughty’ but nice dishes.
Q. Does the award mean that all the eating places end up selling similar dishes?
A. No. All the premises have there own style and menus. They will want to retain their current customers and broaden their customer base. All the businesses will be encouraged to be creative about the healthy options they introduce.
Q. Is the Healthy Business Award trying to tell us what to eat? Trying to make us cut down on sugar, fat and salt if I do not want to?
A. No, because the award is not about restricting choice but rather expanding the choice so that people who do want to live a healthier lifestyle can.
Q. Will eating healthier choices help me lose weight?
A. The healthier choices are lower in fat, salt and sugar and may help you lose weight if eaten as part of an overall healthy lifestyle. Try to eat a variety and balance of different foods based on the food standards agency’s eatwell plate and aim for 5 x 30minutes of moderate exercise per week. To find out more information about the services available in Ashton, Leigh and Wigan that can help you to lose weight, please call Lose Weight Feel Great on 01942 496 496 or go to www.lwfg.co.uk (external link)
Q. Will healthier choices cost me more money?
A. This depends on what the healthier choice is and how much it costs the business to produce. It will vary between food outlets just as regular menu dishes vary. As the Healthy Business Award is free to businesses we do not expect the prices to rise because it is labelled as a “Healthier Choice”.
Q. How will the Healthy Business Award fit in with a healthier lifestyle?
A. By choosing to eat at a Healthy Business Award premises you will be ensuring you can access healthier food either as a ‘Healthier Choice’ or in the cooking methods used. It is designed to assist Wigan borough residents in identifying food outlets which would fit into their healthier lifestyles.
