Cheeseburgers, chicken fingers, pizza and mac n' cheese. They're staples on kids' menus at chain restaurants across the country. Oh, and I did I mention fries come with that? Most kids' menus offer little variety and plenty of calories, fat and sodium.
What's more, it's next to impossible for parents to make informed, healthy choices on feeding their children in full-service restaurants. Nutrition labeling does not exist on menus for kids (and adults).
Given the fact that 26 per cent of Canadian children aged two to 17 are considered overweight or obese - and type 2 diabetes among youth is on the rise - it's surprising that healthy menu options offered to adults made their way to kids' menus.
If left unmanaged, accumulating weight problems in kids could spell trouble in adulthood. Obese children are more likely to become obese adults. Being overweight increases a child's risk for developing types 2 diabetes and high blood pressure, "adult" health problems that now belong to kids too. Evidence is piling up to show that obesity, high blood pressure and high cholesterol in children can predict heart problems later in life.
When I was a kid, restaurant meals were a rare treat. Once a month my mom would take my brother and me to White Spot (a Vancouver family restaurant) for the kid's Pirate Pak - a small cheeseburger, fries, a soft drink and ice cream. But most nights we ate home-cooked meals at the dining room table.
Times have changed. Putting a homemade meal on the dinner table is a challenge for many time-crunched families. Frozen entrees, prepared foods, take-out, and restaurant meals are gaining share on household menu plans.
If you knew a kid-size meal of chicken strips -- along with fries, juice and dessert -- met Health Canada's daily recommendation for children for calories and almost two day's worth of sodium, would you suggest your child rethink his or her order?
Based on our research, we think you would. To help get an idea of how many calories and how much fat and sodium full-service restaurants are serving your kids, The Globe and Mail and CTV's Canada AM commissioned an independent lab to analyze popular kids meals at four Kelsey's, Jack Astor's and The Keg.
If you think full-service restaurant kid's meals are healthier than fast food burgers and fries, chicken nuggets and fries, or cheesy pepperoni pizzas, you're mistaken.
To help you put the following numbers in perspective, Health Canada recommends that "low active" boys, aged 4 to 9, should consume about 1,600 calories per day. Low active girls, aged 4 to 9, should consume roughly 1,480 calories daily. (Kids are considered "low active" if they participate in 30 to 60 minutes of moderate activity, like walking, per day.)
Kids who get at least one hour of exercise per day need about 1,800 calories (boys) and 1,680 calories (girls) per day. Sedentary kids require, on average, 1,300 calories daily.
Children following a 1,500-calorie diet should consume no more than 17 grams of so-called "bad" fats (saturated plus trans fat) each day. Kids also need less sodium than adults. Children aged one to three should consume no more than 1,500 milligrams of sodium per; kids aged four to nine should limit their intake to 1,900 milligrams.
| Kelsey's Kid's Meal | Calories | Fat (g) | Fat (g) | Sodium (mg) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chicken Tenders | 1369 | 51.6 | 8.5 | 2,767.5 |
| (comes w/ fries, apple juice, ice cream) | ||||
Yikes. Hard to believe that one "pint-sized" meal delivers enough calories to fuel a child's day, not to mention one and a half day's worth of sodium. Your child would have to eat six Wendy's Kid's Hamburgers to consume that many calories and fat grams.
|
The Keg Kids' Meal | Calories | Fat (g) | Sat. Fat (g) | Sodium (mg) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Half rack Ribs (comes w/ fries, Caesar salad, veggies & dip, milk, ice cream) | 921 | 45.7 | 14.8 | 1,243 |
The Keg deserves a pat on the back for serving salad and raw veggies with every kid's meal. But thanks to the fatty ribs, this meal serves up almost a full day's worth of saturated fat. The grilled chicken or sirloin steak meals are sure to have less calories, fat and sodium.
| Jack Astor's Kid's Meal | Calories | Fat (g) | Sat. Fat (g) | Sodium (mg) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pasta w/ Cheese Sauce
(comes w/ soft drink and a cookie)
| 822 | 28 | 12 | 1,049.4 |
At least this kids' meal doesn't come with fries. But 822 calories worth of white flour, margarine, cheese and sugar does not make for a healthy meal. With half a day's worth of calories and three-quarters of a day's supply of saturated fat, this meal is a splurge.
Some restaurants do provide healthy alternatives for kids. The Keg and Jack Astor's offer grilled chicken and lean sirloin steak served with salad and vegetables. Red Lobster offers broiled fish and crab legs with veggies. And some menus offer rice, baked potatoes and corn instead of greasy fries.
To help you navigate the calorie and fat traps on kids' menus, practice the following tips:
- Choose pasta with tomato sauce (one of few menu items that are not served with fries), plain burgers, chicken sandwiches, grilled chicken, grilled sirloin steak, or steamed fish;
- Be side-smart. Instead of deep-fried French fries, opt for rice, baked potatoes, corn, salads and steamed and raw veggies. Whether the menu says so or not, most chains will substitute vegetables for fries;
- Skip the pop and sugary iced tea. Order milk, unsweetened fruit juice, or plain water.
- Split a healthy adult meal with your child - like grilled chicken and vegetables or salad or a wrap sandwich.
Kids' menus in full service restaurants need to change. It's time to give kids -- and parents -- an alternative from typical fast food items served up in larger portions. In the meantime, I hope restaurants will offer a nutrient breakdown with those fries.
