[532] in Vegetarian_Support_Group
Rebecca's Cafe "healthy" options
daemon@ATHENA.MIT.EDU (elsiedee@MIT.EDU)
Sun Apr 23 21:41:20 1995
To: vsg@MIT.EDU, vsg-local@MIT.EDU, vsg-dine@MIT.EDU
Date: Sun, 23 Apr 95 21:40:30
From: elsiedee@MIT.EDU
I went to Rebecca's Cafe in Kendall Sq. last week (which for non-MIT people
is a popular, up-scale cafe that is frequented by MIT folks). They usually
have excellent vegetarian fare, and I wouldn't say this visit was an
exception (I had tomato, artichoke, and mozzarella salad - picked out the
mozzarella). However, I noted on entering their very prominent display
touting their new "Healthy Options" and I thought sure I would find a
vegetarian option being promoted. I was very disappointed to find that they
were promoting the following dishes as "healthy" fare: Grilled Pork
Tenderloin over Chinese vegetables, Shrimp Jambalaya, Grilled Dijon Dill
Chicken with pecan rice, Grilled Flank Steak with Chinese vegetables. These
offerings are totally at odds with a message of health to those who are
informed on current scientific findings. They have postcards which you can
comment on. I urge you to visit Rebecca's and pick up some cards, or write
them at:
Rebecca's Cafe
Corporate Office
18 Tremont St./Suite 527
Boston, MA 02108
I composed the following postcard:
Dear Rebecca's,
I was thrilled at first to see that you were offering a new line of
Healthy Options which were prominently displayed upon my last visit to the
Rebecca's in Kendall Sq. However, I soon saw that all the dishes contained
meat or animal products, and one "healthy option" was even a red meat dish
-- the Grilled Flank Steak with Chinese vegetables. I had heretofore always
been very impressed with Rebecca's seeming commitment to offering a variety
of vegetarian offerings, which I have always found delicious. However, this
new campaign seems to be at odds with a message of health. The most recent
scientific knowledge to-date conclusively links consumption of animal
protein, especially red meat, to cancer, heart disease, atherosclerosis,
diabetes, high blood pressure, and a host of other ailments. I sincerely
hope that Rebecca's will reconsider touting these meat-based dishes as
"healthy options" and get more with the times by promoting vegetarian
options.
Laura Dilley
