Aug 4, 2008 5:52 pm US/Eastern
Kids Meals Have Too Many Calories To Be Healthy
NEW YORK (CBS) ―
Almost every kid loves fast food. But a new investigation into the nutritional value of kid's meals at fast food chains may have families eating at home.
"I like chicken sandwiches and hamburgers, maybe some french fries," Justin Graham says.
Michael Jacobson from the Center for Science says, "Practically every meal aimed at kids is too high in calories, saturated fat and salt."
The non-profit Center for Science in the Public Interest found, more than ninety percent of kid's meals at 13 chains exceed 430 calories. That's about a third of what children should eat every day.
Some of the worst offenders are the chicken crispers kids meal at Chili's which packs a whopping 1,020 calories, the Burger King "big kids" meal which has 910 calories, and the Sonic "Wacky Pack" grilled cheese meal, which contains 830 calories.
"There's no reason why restaurant food needs to be served in such ridiculously large portions", says Margo G. Wootan, CSPI nutrition policy director.
The center says customers will make better choices if chains post calorie counts -- something they are required to do in New York.
"We need to get people information they can use, at the point of purchase", says Cathy Nonas from the New York City Department of Health.
An industry group defends its restaurants, saying they now offer more menu choices and nutrition information. But when your kids are crying out for high fat fun, it's not always easy to make the healthy choice.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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