The Healthiest Fast Food Kids Can Eat
While the calorie content may indicate that a certain fast food item is healthier than others, you can never be sure that the item is good for your child’s health.The Healthiest Fast Food Kids Can Eat
Fast food is not necessarily better for your child than home-cooked produce. Listed below are the healthiest fast food items for kids.
In addition, you can learn more about junk food marketing for kids. Read on to learn how to avoid the pitfalls of fast food marketing for children.
7 Best Fast-Food Items for Kids
French fries are not the only unhealthy food you can serve your children. French fries are loaded with sodium, fat, and calories. Fruits can provide sweetness without sacrificing nutrition.
Most fast-food chains offer some sort of fruit on the menu. Chick-fil-A even offers a fruit cup with apple slices, strawberry sections, and mandarin orange sections. McDonald’s also sells bags of apples and Wendy’s offers a 35-calorie apple bite.
Subway offers healthy kid meals on the go. A turkey mini sub on nine-grain wheat bread and apple slices are healthier than chips, soda, and candy. The sandwich also contains substantial protein without a lot of sodium.
Other fast-food joints that offer healthy options include Burger King and Taco Bell. The healthy kids’ menu at these restaurants is smaller than that of competitors, but they still serve tasty and nutritious items.
Fast-food chains have also stepped up their efforts to make their meals healthier. The following fast-food chains offer some of the healthiest kid-friendly menu items.
If you want to take your kids for a quick meal, make smart substitutions and choose healthier sides for the kids. Then, you can rest assured that they’ll eat a balanced meal that contains the right amounts of vitamins and minerals.
Chicken tenders are one of the most popular items on a fast-food menu. But the deep-fried breading adds a lot of fat. Choose grilled chicken nuggets instead, which contain only 3 grams of fat per serving.
Drinking milk is a healthier option than soda or juice. It contains no caffeine and is a great source of vitamins and nutrients, such as calcium and protein. The good news is that most fast-food chains offer milk with their menus.
Top 10 Healthiest Fast Food Items for Kids
Kids can eat all kinds of fast food without getting too much fat. But how can you find the healthiest options for your children? The list below explains the options and their calories.
Some of the healthiest options for kids are made from fresh ingredients. Here are the top 10 healthiest items for kids at fast food restaurants.
Kids can enjoy their favorite childhood foods at the most healthy places. And what’s even better? These healthy items are cheaper than those unhealthy fast food establishments.
KFC: While you might not think of KFC as a healthful option, their Kids’ Menu is full of nutritious items.
It includes mashed potatoes, green beans, corn, and macaroni and cheese, and other sides for your kids to eat. Kids will also appreciate the variety of salads and side dishes. In addition, you can choose a sandwich made of chicken and vegetables for your child.
McDonald’s: While you may be looking for a quick lunch, this chain also has some healthy options. Their fast food menu has salads and grilled chicken breast, as well as healthy sides.
They have an extensive vegan menu, too. And you can order your child’s favorite meals at their favorite restaurants, such as Pret a Manger. If you’re looking for a healthy option for a quick meal, you’ll find it here!
Chicken tenders: While chicken tenders are among the most popular fast food items, the breading adds extra calories and fat. Chicken nuggets at Chick-fil-A are grilled and contain only three grams of fat per serving.
Milk is also a healthier option than sodas, juices, and pop. Kids can also get plenty of calcium and protein from milk. Fast-food restaurants usually include milk in their drinks, so it’s a win-win situation.
5 Healthy Fast Food Choices For Kids
Not all fast food restaurants are bad for you and your kids. Some are doing a good job of making healthy food choices for kids. Choosing where to go is as important as knowing what to order.
Here are some suggestions for healthy fast food options for your kids. These places are generally less expensive and contain lower sodium levels than other chains. The following menus are a great place to start! Listed below are 5 healthy fast food choices for kids.
Chicken sandwich: You can get healthy options at KFC and Subway. The chicken drumstick is a good option as is grilled chicken. In addition to chicken, Subway has an oven-roasted chicken sandwich.The Healthiest Fast Food Kids Can Eat
Kids will enjoy this convenient snack. Macaroni-and-chee is another good option and offers some nutrients, such as calcium and potassium. Many of these are also gluten-free and low in saturated fat.
Fruits and vegetables: The kids menu at most fast-food restaurants offers healthy options. Many fast food chains offer fruit and low-fat or fat-free milk with their kids’ meals. Likewise, some places offer apple slices instead of the usual high-fat French fries.
One study of 1,980 participants found that providing nutritional information in kid’s menus prompted parents to choose healthier food for their kids. The results were promising for the future of fast food.
The pandemic-era is not over yet. While more children are spending time on the computer, attending class from their bedrooms, and eating drive-through meals, many parents report that their children are eating better than they did before the pandemic.
According to a survey of pediatricians by the University of Michigan Health C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital, many parents are already making better choices. The results may be partly due to increased home cooking and the fact that many families are feeling unsafe at restaurants.
The facts on junk food marketing and kids
While the advertising industry will tell you that only 2% of kids’ diets are influenced by junk food marketing, the facts show otherwise. Researchers have found that children’s television programming is full of junk food advertisements.
While the ads for junk food have been banned in many countries, the U.S. has not yet implemented any rules that will protect kids from these advertisements. Some countries, such as Chile, have implemented laws that limit junk food marketing to children.
Studies have shown that even if a food company is attempting to promote healthy foods, their marketing efforts cannot compete with those of a large, multinational company.
According to one study, a single company spent $30 million on marketing sugar-coated cereals, while the U.S. government spends only $50,000 per state on nutritional education for schoolchildren.
Despite these troubling results, companies may not realize the impact their marketing efforts are having on the health of children and communities.
According to a 2008 study, the food industry spent $1.8 billion on advertising kids’ food. Almost ninety percent of that money was spent on advertisements for sugary drinks, candy, and sweet and salty snacks.The Healthiest Fast Food Kids Can Eat
Food ads are also highly visible, and children view as many as thirteen on television daily. Despite this, only one ad promoted healthy food products. In fact, children who spend most time in front of television are the most likely to be exposed to food advertisements.
These ads do not offer much nutritional value and are packed with sugar. The advertising campaigns target young consumers because they’re cheap and convenient.
However, it’s hard to argue with that, and parents should be aware of the risks that come with a junk food diet. Aside from the potential health risks, junk food is also an easy way to give your kids a quick, easy, and convenient snack. The facts on junk food marketing and kids
Homemade Fast Food Alternatives for Kids
Using healthy junk food alternatives instead of sugary foods is a great way to keep kids healthy. Try pairing a yogurt or fruit with a small handful of almonds or a banana.
Yogurt on the go is high in artificial dyes and refined sugar, so opt for creamy kefir made from whole milk and other organic ingredients. No added sugar makes this a healthy alternative to the traditional soft-serve ice cream cone.
Soup is another great fast food alternative. Many restaurants serve soup with bread. Soup in bread bowls is particularly appealing to younger children, and they can get their daily dose of carbs and vegetables while playing with the dish.
Typical fast-food soups include tomato soup, but chicken noodle, broccoli and cheddar, and potato soup are also great options. Choose healthier versions of these soups if you are worried about your child’s health.
Another great idea is to use bananas as a flour substitute. Bananas can be used in place of refined white flour, and they are great for baking or roasting.The Healthiest Fast Food Kids Can Eat
Bananas can be ground into a flour substitute, too. Baking bananas can also be a healthy way to make a pancake. Baking or roasting a banana is another healthy alternative to fast food. It is also a fun way to get the kids interested in cooking.
The number of parents who agree that the meals they feed their children have become healthier over the past few months is encouraging. Yet one-third of parents who do not cook report that their children eat fast food more than twice a week.
This proportion is even higher for overweight parents than for parents with healthy kids. Although most parents are aware of the unhealthy benefits of fast food, many are too stressed to cook at home.
Nevertheless, a third of parents feel that fast food is a convenient and quick option when the kids are stressed and cannot prepare healthy meals.