Healthy Options Are Slim Pickings On Kids' Menus
New Report Says Meals Loaded With Fat, Calories
POSTED: 4:31 pm EDT August 4,
2008
UPDATED: 5:35 pm EDT August 4,
2008
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BOSTON -- Many of us eat with our children, but if you're trying to find healthy options it may be slim pickings.NewsCenter 5's Kelley Tuthill reported Monday that a new report finds kids' meals are loaded with fat, salt and calories at the nation's top restaurant chains.
VIEDO: Healthy Options Are Slim Pickings On Kids' MenusThe Center for Science in the Public Interest found 93 percent of the kids' offerings at the nation's chain restaurants are too high in calories. Most parents aren't surprised."We were actually -- just last weekend -- at a family restaurant. We ordered from a kids' menu, and while it was reasonably priced, the children's portion was, in my opinion, adult size. It was enormous," one parent said.Kids between 4 and 8 are supposed to eat about 400 calories per meal, but Kentucky Fried Chicken's laptop meal with its popcorn chicken, baked beans, biscuit, teddy grahams and fruit punch packs 940 calories."I think it's absolutely crazy. And this is an issue that we really need to address in this country," nutritionist Hillary Wright said.Fast food is just part of the problem. The study points out many sit-down restaurants have limited healthy options, as well.Subway came out on top. Only one-third of its kids' meals exceeded the recommended 430 calories.Wright had some advice for parents."First, I would not automatically not assume that a child will only eat off of a kids' menu. Maybe there are appetizers that they will split. Maybe you can get a kids' meal and not have the French fries," Wright said.Boston's Children's Museum was so concerned about childhood obesity that it replaced McDonald's with Au Bon Pain during its recent renovation. Parents can use a kiosk to get the nutritional information. A lot of the focus is on portion control."We need to have healthy choices for them. How are they supposed to develop healthy eating habits otherwise?" another parent said.
VIEDO: Healthy Options Are Slim Pickings On Kids' MenusThe Center for Science in the Public Interest found 93 percent of the kids' offerings at the nation's chain restaurants are too high in calories. Most parents aren't surprised."We were actually -- just last weekend -- at a family restaurant. We ordered from a kids' menu, and while it was reasonably priced, the children's portion was, in my opinion, adult size. It was enormous," one parent said.Kids between 4 and 8 are supposed to eat about 400 calories per meal, but Kentucky Fried Chicken's laptop meal with its popcorn chicken, baked beans, biscuit, teddy grahams and fruit punch packs 940 calories."I think it's absolutely crazy. And this is an issue that we really need to address in this country," nutritionist Hillary Wright said.Fast food is just part of the problem. The study points out many sit-down restaurants have limited healthy options, as well.Subway came out on top. Only one-third of its kids' meals exceeded the recommended 430 calories.Wright had some advice for parents."First, I would not automatically not assume that a child will only eat off of a kids' menu. Maybe there are appetizers that they will split. Maybe you can get a kids' meal and not have the French fries," Wright said.Boston's Children's Museum was so concerned about childhood obesity that it replaced McDonald's with Au Bon Pain during its recent renovation. Parents can use a kiosk to get the nutritional information. A lot of the focus is on portion control."We need to have healthy choices for them. How are they supposed to develop healthy eating habits otherwise?" another parent said. Copyright 2008 by TheBostonChannel.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
