Tropes

Livescience_2013 00374.txt

#97%of Restaurant Kids'Meals Are Unhealthy, Consumer Group Says Despite steps by some chain restaurants to offer healthier kids'meals most still aren't very nutritious according to a new report. Of the3500 meals from 41 top chain restaurantsthat were analyzed just 3 percent met the nutrition standards set by the Center for Science in the Public interest (CSPI) the advocacy organization that conducted the report. Fifty percent of the meals had more than 600 calories 78 percent offered soft drinks as a beverage option and 73 percent offered fries as a side. The report named several meals as particularly egregious examples of unhealthy offerings including the following: One out of every three American children is overweight or obese but it s as if the chain-restaurant industry didn t get the memo Margo Wootan nutrition policy director at CSPI said in a statement..Most chains seem stuck in a time warp serving up the same old meals based on chicken nuggets burgers macaroni and cheese fries and soda. In order to meet CSPI's standards kids'meals cannot have more than 430 calories (including no more than 35 percent of calories from fat and 10 percent of calories from saturated and trans fats) 35 percent added sugars by weight and 770 mg of sodium. Additionally CSPI-approved meals need to offer one of the following nutritious items: at least a half-serving of fruit or vegetables an item made from at least 51 percent whole grains or a specified level of vitamins or fiber. The standards from the National Restaurant Association an industry group are similar but allow more calories. At 19 chains including Popeyes and Carl's Jr. not a single combination of the items offered for kids met CSPI s standards and nine chains met the National Restaurant Association's criteria. Nonetheless there has been some improvement in kids'meals over the years. In 2008 just 1 percent of meals met the CSPI's nutrition standards and the percentage of meals that met the CSPI's criteria for sodium has increased from 15 percent in 2008 to 34 percent in 2012. To make meals more nutritious the CSPI recommended that restaurants offer kids meals with more fruit and vegetable options (making these default sides) and more whole-grain items as well as remove soda and other sugary drinks from the meals. Pass it on: Most kids'meals offered at chain restaurants aren't very nutritious. Follow Rachael Rettner@Rachaelrettner. Follow Myhealthnewsdaily@Myhealth mhnd Facebook & Google

< Back - Next >