Your favorite restaurant's kids meal may not be very good for
your kids. Too salty, fatty and calorie-laden was the verdict
delivered this month by the Center for Science in the Public
Interest and the California Center for Public Health Advocacy.
After analyzing kids' items offered by 13 of the nation's 25
largest restaurant chains, the Center for Science in the Public
Interest concluded that 93 percent of the meals provide too many
calories.
Nutrition guidelines suggest that a moderately active child aged
4 to 8 should get no more than 1,290 calories a day (430 calories
per meal). Every single kid's option exceeded that at five chains.
"These meals are really calorie time bombs," said Dr. Harold
Goldstein, head of the California Center for Public Health Advocacy.
The best ranking went to Subway, with 12 children's meal
combinations below 430 calories - and six above.
Adults should also make sure kids get plenty of fruit, vegetables
and fiber, while staying away from too much salt or fat, Goldstein
said.
Kids consume almost twice the calories in a restaurant meal than
in one served at home. But it's tough for a parent to be vigilant,
the study said. Few might realize, for example, that Chili's Chicken
Crispers, at 590 calories, are a much heftier choice than the Rib
Basket at 370 calories.
The groups urged restaurants to make sure kids meals "default" to
the most nutritious alternatives, such as nonfat milk instead of a
soda, and fruit or low-fat vegetables instead of fries.
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