I am a fierce advocate for those who take the road less traveled through the nutrition land mines that exist in our society.  On Monday, my dear friend and colleague, Shana Patterson RD, announced an expansion of her impressive Smart Meal program.  This program was developed to help Colorado restaurants highlight menu selections that meet particular nutrition guidelines and help consumers easily determine the best choices when they do eat at participating restaurants.  Ms. Patterson’s announcement was that this program now has the funding to expand it’s reach to include kid’s meals.  The Smart Meals for Kids program has taken root in McDonald’s restaurants throughout Colorado – and here is where the road less traveled begins.  Remember back to “Super Size Me” – the movie that demonstrated the ill effects of consuming only (the worst) foods from the McDonald’s menu?  Within WEEKS… McDonald’s Corporation made sweeping changes to its menu – added more entree salads, offered alternative sides, etc.  What Ms. Patterson is doing is forging a partnership that will not only improve the health and wellbeing of children, but will also work to change an entire industry.  Parents want choices for their children.  Consumers need healthy options no matter what restaurant they visit.  These choices are available due to the tenacious efforts of public health advocates such as Ms. Patterson and the bold (and risky?) alliances that she has forged.