Mercy Health Sponsors RWT 2018 Healthy Menu Options

Few in the area disagree that “You Will Eat Better In Toledo!”  There are so many great, locally-owned restaurants that it is often hard to choose where to go!  And, Restaurant Week Toledo 2018 (RWT) will certainly make the decision of where best to satisfy your hunger a lot more fun!  In just a few weeks - from February 26th - March 4^th to be exact, local residents and tourists will be offered an opportunity to enjoy a week of unique dining experiences provided by the 40 participating restaurants.  Not only will RWT feature all the fun and tasty treats that have made it one of the area’s signature events this year, thanks to Mercy Health, the restaurants will also offer Healthy Menu Options!

Eating healthy is an important part of leading a healthy lifestyle. Studies show that a healthy diet combined with exercise can help reduce risk of chronic diseases -- like heart disease and cancer -- and promote overall health and wellbeing. Mercy Health encourages everyone to enjoy the healthier options when dining out. Choose options that contain high-quality proteins, carbohydrates, heart-healthy fats, vitamins, minerals and water while avoiding processed foods and saturated fats. 

“Choosing the right foods can help you not only feel better but also help create a healthier heart and body,” said Dr. Thomas Welch, cardiologist and Chief Clinical Officer for Mercy Health – Toledo. “Eating healthy doesn’t mean you won’t enjoy your meal. Our local chefs are always creating healthy dishes that satisfy the palette as much as they are healthy for the body.”

So, how does it work?  It’s easy!  The Restaurant Week Toledo website (www.restaurantweektoledo.com) is live and offers details on the special menus designed by 40 local restaurants.   What makes RWT more than just the chance to enjoy a great meal (or three each day) is that the proceeds allow Leadership Toledo to offer its nationally celebrated youth programming at no cost to participants/schools.                                                                                       

Some of Toledo’s best local restaurants, many that define the art of dining in the region, are again participating in RWT.  New and “veteran” eateries have developed menus with cuisine sure to delight the palate – some for breakfast, lunch and dinner.  RWT features special menus, Mercy Health Partner’s sponsored Healthy Menu Options and, for those diners with a favorite dish not on the special menus, the restaurants will donate a percentage of all meal purchases to support LT youth programs (excluding beverages, tax and gratuities)!  Reservations are recommended.

“We talk a lot about the four words that drive our organization – lead, grow, connect, serve.   RWT touches on all of four – and is a great way to keep our community excited about one of our greatest assets – our locally-owned restaurants!  During RWT we’ll all be able to “Eat Better in Toledo … and Maumee, Oregon, Perrysburg…!  Our goals are to increase awareness of the many unique dining opportunities that are only found here, stimulate business for restaurants, and raise awareness of the educational mission of Leadership Toledo. We’ve had a lot of fun over the past eight years and we’re proud that we’ve kept all the popular features of past events while adding a few new ingredients. We guarantee that everyone will enjoy how we meshed what has worked well in the past with the new ideas,” offers Anna Toney, executive director of Leadership Toledo.  “Keep checking the website and follow us on social media for special incentives and promotions!”   

LEADERSHIP TOLEDO:
The roots of Leadership Toledo date back over 36 years when this independent not-for-profit organization began offering participants from diverse backgrounds the opportunity to come together for an intensive nine-month program that focuses on the needs of our community and the roles the participants can play in addressing those needs. Today, leadership programs are offered for both adults and youth.  In addition, Leadership Toledo facilitates Youth in Philanthropy Encouraging Excellence (YiPEE) and the Youth Jefferson Awards/Students In Action initiatives.  Leadership Toledo continues to explore opportunities to empower veteran and young leaders in addressing the challenges that face our community. For additional information on all programs and initiatives, visit www.leadershiptoledo.org.