Associated Press
WASHINGTON - Healthy kids' meals at top restaurant chains are slim
pickings, according to a report by a nonprofit public health group.
Nearly every possible combination of the children's meals at Kentucky
Fried Chicken, Taco Bell, Sonic, Jack in the Box, and Chick-fil-A are
too high in calories, the report by the Center for Science in the Public
Interest said.
The report, scheduled for release Monday in Washington, looked into the
nutritional quality of kids' meals at 13 major restaurant chains. The
center found 93 percent of 1,474 possible choices at the 13 chains
exceed 430 calories -- an amount that is one-third of what the National
Institute of Medicine recommends that children ages 4 through 8 should
consume in a day.
For example, Chili's Bar and Grill has 700 possible kids' meal
combinations, but 658, or 94 percent, of those are too high in calories.
One Chili's meal comprised of country-fried chicken crispers, cinnamon
apples and chocolate milk contained 1,020 calories, while another
comprised of cheese pizza, homestyle fries, and lemonade contained 1,000
calories. Burger King has a "Big Kids" meal with a double cheeseburger,
fries, and chocolate milk at 910 calories, and Sonic has a "Wacky Pack"
with 830 calories worth of grilled cheese, fries, and a slushie.
While there are some healthy choices on restaurant menus, "parents have
to navigate a minefield of calories, fat and salt to find them," the
report said.
Subway's kids' meals came out the best among the chains examined in the
report. Only 6 of 18 "Fresh Fit for Kids" meals -- which include a
mini-sub, juice box, and one of several healthful side items such as
apple slices, raisins or yogurt -- exceed the 430-calorie threshold. But
Subway is the only chain that doesn't offer soft drinks with kids'
meals, which helped lower the calorie count.
The report recommends restaurants:
-- Reformulate their menu items to reduce calories, saturated and trans
fat, and salt, and add more healthy items like fruits, vegetables, and
whole grains.
-- Make fruit or vegetables and low-fat milk or water the default sides
instead of French fries and soda for children's meals.
-- Provide nutrition on menus and menu boards. New York and San
Francisco are among the cities and localities that have adopted menu
labeling policies.
Other restaurant chains included in the report are Wendy's, Dairy Queen,
Arby's and Denny's.
Six leading restaurant chains -- Applebee's, TGIFriday's, Outback
Steakhouse, Olive Garden, Red Lobster and IHOP (International House of
Pancakes) -- weren't included in the report because they do not disclose
nutrition information about their meals even when asked, the center
said.
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