In a push to reduce the rate of obesity among children and adults, states like New York and California passed legislation requiring chain restaurants with 20 or more locations to post calorie information for their menu items. Although some critics (mostly the restaurants themselves) argued that people would still make poor choices despite knowing the nutritional impact, a new study published in the January 25 online addition of Pediatrics suggests this may not be the case.
Pooja S. Tandon, MD and colleagues at the Children’s Research Institute found that parents who had nutrition information available selected “hypothetical” fast food meals for their children that were lower in calories than parents who didn’t have the information. This is exciting because it’s the first study to suggest that giving parent’s access to this information leads them to make smarter meal choices for their children.
99 parents of 3-to-6 year olds who sometimes eat with their children at fast food restaurants were surveyed. Half were given pictures of menu items from McDonald’s with current prices and calorie information and half were given the same pictures and prices without the calorie information. Parents who were given the calorie information selected meals that were an average of 102 calories less than parents who didn’t. For those of you who don’t know, 102 calories is a big difference in daily intake for 3 to 6 year olds. Even for an adult, an extra 100 calories a day adds up to 10 pounds at the end of the year.
I am hopeful that results like these are a small sign that things might be moving in the right direction. If we make smarter food choices for our children and teach them how to make smarter choices for themselves, we are giving them the greatest gift of all…the gift of health.
If you do decide to eat with (or without) your children at a fast food restaurant remember these simple guidelines:
- Order the smallest size available. “Super-sizing” may be a good value for your wallet, but not for your waist.
- Avoid high fat toppings, sauces and anything fried.
- Select low-fat milk or 100% fruit juice over sodas and shakes.
- Look for healthy menu items like grilled chicken, salads (go easy on the dressing) and fruit (often offered as a side item).
- Make eating at home a priority over eating out.
- Lauren
To read more about menu labeling check out the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) website.
For more detailed information on making smart choices at fast food restaurants check out these blogs:
Sensei Talks: Healthy Eating on the Go – Breakfast
Sensei Talks: Healthy Eating on the Go – Lunch & Dinner
Sensei Talks: Healthiest Fast Food Restaurants
Labels: Childhood Obesity, Fast Food, Lauren, Obesity
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Calories on menus are a great idea. There are so many times I think I know just how many an item I choose is, then come to find out it was a lot more. I am super indecisive too, knowing the better and healthier options would help immensely!