I appreciate your piece, and your goal to inform readers about healthful menu items for kids. Unfortunately, the report you cite infers that all of the menu items mentioned are all part of the Kids LiveWell program, which is not accurate. Every item in the Kids LiveWell program must meet strict nutrition based on the 2010 USDA Dietary Guidelines, and be certified by a third-party dietician.
But even beyond Kids LiveWell, research and trend data shows that the restaurant industry is making great strides in offering children's menu items that include more lean proteins, fruits and vegetables, as well as lower sugar, fat and sodium.
Many of the meals mentioned in the PCRM report have protein and nutrients to nourish kids versus the "junk food" items to which they have been compared. Most parents understand that a meal with fresh apples, juice and a lean protein is a much more nutritious option than the snack food ("two twinkies") mentioned in the study.
It should also be noted that PCRM's agenda is to push a vegetarian and/or vegan diet, which is presumably why there is a strong focus on cholesterol. The cholesterol in the menu items is from the protein sources, and kids need protein (whether it's from lean meat or as part of a vegetarian diet) to grow and thrive.
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I appreciate your piece, and your goal to inform readers about healthful menu items for kids. Unfortunately, the report you cite infers that all of the menu items mentioned are all part of the Kids LiveWell program, which is not accurate. Every item in the Kids LiveWell program must meet strict nutrition based on the 2010 USDA Dietary Guidelines, and be certified by a third-party dietician.
But even beyond Kids LiveWell, research and trend data shows that the restaurant industry is making great strides in offering children's menu items that include more lean proteins, fruits and vegetables, as well as lower sugar, fat and sodium.
Many of the meals mentioned in the PCRM report have protein and nutrients to nourish kids versus the "junk food" items to which they have been compared. Most parents understand that a meal with fresh apples, juice and a lean protein is a much more nutritious option than the snack food ("two twinkies") mentioned in the study.
It should also be noted that PCRM's agenda is to push a vegetarian and/or vegan diet, which is presumably why there is a strong focus on cholesterol. The cholesterol in the menu items is from the protein sources, and kids need protein (whether it's from lean meat or as part of a vegetarian diet) to grow and thrive.
July 19, 2012 - 4:08pmThis Comment
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