Kids Menu Disasters (Nutritionally)

9/9/2010

Just the Facts:
Most children's menus are filled with choices that are high in calories, fat, saturated fat and sodium. The population of today's kids are experiencing increased rates of obesity and even rising blood pressure. Look at the typical choices for popular kid items below:

Food Item	Calories	Fat (g)	Trans Fat (g)	Saturated Fat (g)	Sodium (mg)
Cheeseburger	341	20	1	5	580
Pizza	331	14	0	5	514
Grilled Cheese	334	20	.5	2	828
Chicken Nuggets	190	13	0	4	340
Macaroni & Cheese	353	13	0	4	651
Brownie	344	16	1.5	4	245
Lunchable Pizza	460	10	4.5	0	520
Dora the Explorer Soup	70	2	0	.5	580
Spaghetti Os with franks	230	10	0	5	930
Cheeseburger Happy Meal	810	32	6	10	1010

Source: McDonald's.com, Dennys.com, Kraftfoods.com

Tips for better kid's meals:

Share a healthy menu item with the kids. Ideas include low-fat salad and pasta with marinara sauce, grilled fish or chicken, baked potato and salad, soup and salad

Visit salad bar type restaurants and places that offer low-fat options for salad, stirfry and pasta

Skip the fried food. A trip through the local burger joint can stick to a hamburger, milk and fruit or salad.

Involve kids in researching the nutrients for their favorite fast food restaurant menus. Have them visit the new FDA site for Nutrition Facts Label reading so they can be aware of how to read a label and what is in the food they are eating - visit www.SpotTheBlock.com for three easy lessons on serving sizes, calories and nutrients.

Cook with your kids!! Kidscuisine.net lists the 5 top reasons to cook with kids as:

It encourages kids to eat healthy;

It is bonding time for you and the kids;

It nurtures creativity;

It is fun;

Cooking can teach math and science principles!!

Food and Health.com