The Heart Mark Restaurant Programme offers the public a simple and reliable way of identifying the most heart healthy menu choices at selected restaurants. 

The Programme is designed to assist the public in making healthier choices when dining out by encouraging restaurants to provide healthier food options and thereby join forces with the Heart and Stroke Foundation SA in the fight against heart disease.

The aim is not to change the existing menu, but rather to identify those items which are already within the dietary guidelines recommended by the Foundation. These menu options are lower in fat, cholesterol, salt and where applicable, higher in fibre. However, suggestions are provided on how making minor modifications to existing menu items can transform a meal into one that is heart healthy.

Providing the healthier option is not only the right thing to do, but also allows patrons to view the menu as tasty and healthy.

The Heart and Stroke Foundation SA has qualified dietitians that can help format healthy options if you need to vary from this format to suit your menu profile.

To qualify, restaurants must offer the following:

• Multiple choices of healthier foods and at least 20% or more of the menu should be heart healthy.  
• Obesity contributes to heart health and therefore restaurants should try and control food sizes.
• Relaxed smoke free atmosphere to share healthier food with family and friends. (This is not a problem in most restaurants).
• Freshest ingredients.
• Minimally refined and processed foods.
• Lean cut meats with no visible fat.
• Skinless chicken.
• Dressing served on the side as many contain oil, butter and creams. Opt for energy reduced salad dressings.
• Foods that are roasted, grilled, poached, baked or steamed tend to be much healthier than those that are deep fried.
• Food prepared with limited amount of vegetable oil (high in poly or mono unsaturated fat) e.g. sunflower, canola, grapeseed or olive oil.
• Generous portions of vegetables and fresh fruits.
• Whole grain pastas and breads. Especially in bread baskets.
• Offer more multiple sources of Omega 3 by including fish and nuts like walnuts and almonds.
• Include soy and legumes.
• Serve high calcium foods like dark leafy greens (salads)
• Use herbs and spices rather than salt to flavour food.

Rules & Regulations:

• The Heart Mark Restaurant logo must be next to the approved item on the menu and a footnote to these items is compulsory. The Heart and Stroke Foundation SA reserves the right to remove the logo at any point should the restaurant or food outlet no longer comply with the rules laid down by the HSFSA.
• A mystery guest may visit the outlet at any time to make sure that they are complying with the criteria.
• All menus must be sent to the Foundation for approval before going to print. This also applies to whenever changes are made to the menu.
• The criteria are continually under review and may change at any given point as we work closely with other health organisations around the world and we try and keep up with the ever changing market, health and labeling trends and laws.

The following restaurants have already benefited by providing their patrons with healthier options:

• Cappuccinos Cafe and Pizzeria
• Col’Cacchio Pizzeria
• John Dory’s Fish & Grill
• Mochachos Chicken Villages
• Osumo
• Panarotti’s Pizza Pasta
• Santorin
• Spur Steak Ranches
• Wellness Warehouse