Say "No" to the Children's Menu

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In the 2009, May issue of Today’s Dietitian, Lindsey Getz writes about the unhealthy foods offered to children at restaurants on the usual kid friendly menu and how it needs to change immediately. Items offered to children are high in sodium, fat, have little to no fruit and vegetables, and are served in larger portions. In addition, the menu provides access to unlimited sodas and sugary beverages, which can pack on the calories fast. Kid “friendly” menus are not as friendly as you may think; they can reach up to one thousand calories, which is what a child may need in an entire day! Now, for a family that chooses to eat out once in a while, splurging here and there is not a big issue. With our current on-the-go, fast paced, lifestyles, families are eating out more often, up to several times a week. This exposes children to more processed foods such as fried chicken fingers, macaroni and cheese, hot dogs, french fries, and burgers.

            The nonprofit organization, funded out of San Diego, Healthy Kids Choice, Inc (HKC) is seeking to make a change to the Kids’ Menu via a more hands on approach. The HKC is on a mission to provide children with access to healthier choices by developing healthful menus that restaurants can promote. A  few of the changes made by HKC include adding a fruit or non-fried vegetable substitution for fries, offering a smaller soda without refills, and even providing incentives to children who eat a healthier meal. Making these changes can have a significant influence on the childhood obesity epidemic that is occurring nationwide. Restaurants need to stop and think about the impact they have on the community, both positive and negative. If restaurants can make healthy foods that are still delicious, they can improve how a child eats in their adult life as well.

The organization is seeking out dietitians to assist in the kids menu to help fight childhood obesity. This is something dietitians need to always keep in their minds and remember to educate clients on how to make healthful decisions for their kids at restaurants.

Getz, L. (2009, May). Just say no…to the children’s menu. Today’s Dietitian, (11)5, 12.
-SK

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