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POPULAR articles
Niche Topics (Pregnancy and Kids) is all about practical parenting advice and parenting
skills to help you deal with common parenting challenges from toddlerhood to teen
years. You’ll find tons of healthy food ideas and easy-
QUICK links
10 Nifty Ideas to Get Kids to Eat Fish
Top 5 Healthy Peanut Butter Substitutes
5 Yummy Non-
5 Fun Ideas to Keep Preschoolers Busy While You Cook
By Martha Sanders
Taking your kids out for meals at fast food restaurants can sometimes be a double-
I am not exaggerating here, most of the kids meals at fast food restaurants are high in fat, sodium/MSG and calories – your kids may be ingesting close to 1000 calories in one sitting.
Do you know Chili's country-
To ensure your children stay healthy and happy, you need to do your homework beforehand, and at the fast food restaurant, be firm without screaming.
Not knowing what to pick on the kids menu can be disastrous as it puts your kid at risk for childhood obesity and many chronic diseases later on in life.
In response to pressure from consumer and health advocates, many fast food restaurants today have lighter and healthy choices on kids menu. Some healthy fast food kids meals that meet CSPI's nutritional criteria are:
Subway's ham mini sub with juice box and apple slices or raisins; roast beef mini sub and juice box with any side, including apple slices or raisins or yogurt; turkey mini sub and juice box with apples slices or raisins or yogurt
Chili's grilled chicken sandwich with apple juice and corn kernels (or mandarin oranges or pineapple)
Denny's pancakes without meat, with maple syrup; macaroni and cheese, and grapes
Arby's popcorn chicken or junior roast beef sandwich with fruit cup and fruit juice
And, on the list of CSPI's "Hall of Shame" are:
Chili's country-
Chili's cheese pizza, home-
KFC's popcorn chicken, baked beans, biscuit, fruit punch, and Teddy Grahams – 940 calories
Burger King's double cheeseburger, fries, and chocolate milk – 910 calories
Sonic's grilled cheese, fries, and slushie – 830 calories
If a healthy fast food kids meal is not available on the menu, you can always improvise.
Ask if you can substitute standard milk with skim or low-
Request for baked potato in place of french fries; go for thin cheese crust without extra toppings; see if you can have the chicken grilled instead of fried or encourage your kid to pick yogurt over ice cream sundae and reject the offer to upsize your order.
With some knowledge and a little planning ahead, it is possible for your children to have a pleasurable family time at fast food restaurants the guiltless way.
Healthy Fast Food Choices for Kids
5 Creative Ways to Get Kids to Eat New Foods
Is your toddler stuck in a food jag and won't eat meat? Find out how you can get your super picky eater to try new foods and receive the essential nutrients to support overall mental and physical development.
If your child won't drink milk no matter what you do, use these ideas to encourage
milk consumption and ensure adequate calcium intake. Learn what are good non-
12 Fun Ways to Get Kids to Eat Vegetables
Watch your kids enjoy their veggies before your eyes, and come back for more!
Healthy yummy snacks that are easy to make and way better than store-
7 Quick and Easy Peanut Butter Sandwich Ideas
Oh-
5 Deliciously Fun Ideas to Make Kids Eat Fruits
Can't get kids to eat fruits? Steal these creative fruit serving ideas right away and watch your children chomp down fruits like they never did before!