Sugary drinks are the leading source of added sugars in the U.S. diet and the majority of U.S. children exceed the recommended daily limit for added sugars. Many restaurant chains have dropped sugary drink offerings to children from sit-down menus in an effort to improve the healthfulness of their kids’ meals. With the recent increase in online ordering, it is important that this commitment to promote healthier options is reflected on online ordering menus.
This week, we celebrate the 60th annual National School Lunch Week. The National School Lunch Program feeds tens of millions of school children annually and is arguably the most recognizable federal feeding program.
In Nutrition Action, we largely focus on adults’ health. But at the Center for Science in the Public Interest, we also fight for the youngest, most vulnerable.
The default options for side dishes and drinks with restaurant children’s meals are often unhealthy. Providing healthier default options for children’s meals iscrucial. Healthy defaults support parents by reducing barriers to feeding their children healthfully.
March has been a good month for the healthy kids' meal movement! Both Montgomery County, Maryland and the city of St. Louis, Missouri passed bills improving the health of restaurant kids’ meal options.
The majority of kids’ meals at top US restaurant chains failed to meet nutrition standards often because they exceeded calorie or sodium recommendations, according to an analysis by the Center for Science in the Public Interest.
