Only 12 meals of more than 3,000 possible combinations at major fast-food restaurants provide adequate nutrition for children ages 2 to 5, say researchers at Yale University, reports parentcentral.ca.
The study examined menu items at eight major restaurant chains for their total calories, sodium, fat and sugar content in a study of nutrition and advertising tactics.
For older children, about 15 of the meals provide adequate nutrition for older children. Although many of the restaurants have healthy side orders and beverages, the main items have too much sodium and fat.
The study also addressed the effect of fast food advertising on children. Preschool children are exposed to an average of three ads per day. At least once a week, 40 per cent of children aged 2 to 11 years ask their parents to eat at a fast food restaurant.
Subway offered the best meal for kids, according to the study, which includes a ‘veggie delite’ sandwich on whole wheat bread with no cheese, apple slices, and 100 per cent juice. The meal has 285 calories and contains 295 mg of sodium and zero calories from saturated fat.
Researchers didn’t rank the worst meal options because there were too many contenders.