The Benefits of Small Plates

Strategies and research to promote sustainable and healthy nutrition to consumers are a top priority in the EU. Poor diets are attributed with considerable health problems in European countries. Respiratory and gastrointestinal cancers, cardiovascular diseases and type 2 diabetes are largely related to poor diets.*

Not only do nutritious and portion-controlled diets affect health, they also impact society and the environment. The small plate trend can have a big impact on all of these concerns.

Customer Satisfaction:
One of the benefits of small plates is customers can have more of a customisable dining experience. As consumers and especially Millennials, focus more on what they consume, the need for restaurants to become increasingly transparent has grown. Higher calorie counts in meal offerings can deter people from dining out. Smaller portions add a new twist to eating at restaurants that appeals to many different consumers.

Cost Effective:
Restaurant owners and managers will also notice a decrease in food costs with small plates. Less over-portioning means less money wasted and a higher profit margin per meal than meals plated without proper portioning. So, when you waste food, you waste money. Most consumers are willing to pay the same for smaller portions if the food quality is superb. This allows you to charge the same amount for smaller portions, essentially reducing your food waste while increasing your profit margin. This is where the Date Code Genie’s Product Waste Control Tracking Feature adds huge value for your business. With this feature, you can track how much of each food item is used, and when, allowing insight into your restaurant trends and potential areas for change.

Pay attention to plating and presentation when considering small plates. You can literally use smaller plates so the portions do not look as small. You can also pack more veggies on plates so they look fuller without adding unnecessary extra calories.

*https://eupha.org/repository/advocacy/EUPHA_report_on_healthy_and_sustainable_diets_20-05-2017.pdf

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