SPARTANBURG, S.C. — Denny’s is introducing new "better-for-you" menu additions, which will launch in June.

The new menu items will include items with reduced fat or sodium such as turkey bacon, chicken sausage, wheat pancakes, egg whites, fresh fruit, granola and yogurt.

The new menu items are in part a response to a negotiation with the Center for Science in the Public Interest, a public advocacy organization that has wanted Denny’s to cut sodium and fat content across the entire menu by 45% within three years. Denny’s believes this is impossible without accelerated high costs and significantly compromising taste and guest satisfaction.

"Denny’s agrees with C.S.P.I.’s mission and philosophy and recognizes the importance of their work," said John Dillon, vice-president of marketing and product development, Denny’s. "At the same time, we have smart customers who know what their dietary needs are and what they need to do individually to meet those needs. It’s all about personal choice. Our responsibility is to provide choices so guests can continue to have great experiences at Denny’s while maintaining their personal dietary requirements. We think our customers would agree that our new product additions provide these choices, which are well within today’s accepted nutritional and dietary guidelines."

The new menu also will include children’s items such as vegetable sticks, apple slices, spaghetti, Jell-O and yogurt. Denny’s also will work to eliminate or replace certain options on the children’s menu that are higher in sodium or fat. In addition, Denny’s soon will offer smaller portions of some menu items that are higher in sodium and fat, such as meatloaf and brownies.