In this article, they discuss the “bad list” and speak to every parent when they say, “if given the choice, most kids would live out their life subsisting on nothing but chicken fingers.”  Amen.  This describes my 3 year old to a T.  The funny thing is my older son (Cole age 6) eats broccoli, fruit, and other healthy foods and actually likes them.  So, my wife and I used to think we were the greatest parents ever.  Then Carter came along and changed that foolish notion.

The truth is, every kid is unique and has certain preferences.  While I believe as parents we strongly influence (and control to a certain extent) those choices, it is challenging in today’s fast paced world to resist the convenience of the golden arches and ignore the unrelenting pleas for a happy meal.  Ugh!  I am guilty too of indulging my kids to avoid the battle over eating the right food.  However, we must stand up and fight, if for nothing else, to preserve their future health and ensure longevity and productivity later in life.

While the list I am sharing with you could include many foods, I think you will see how many of these restaurants add lots of sugar, fat and empty calories to our kids’ meals.  The good news is that the American people are becoming more aware and educated about this topic.  Consequently, the food industry is now offering more healthy alternatives.

As you read the list, keep in mind that the average active 8 year old boy should consume about 1600 calories per day.  Activity levels obviously allow for some variation, but many kids may be consuming their daily allowance in one meal.  I have included calories but not other content.  Trust me when I tell you fat content is too high as well.

The List

1.     Worst Kids’ Meal – T.G.I. Friday’s loaded potato skins – 1.430 calories

2.     Worst Chinese Entrée – P.F. Chang’s Lo Mein with chicken – 1,198 calories

3.     Worst Chicken Meal – Chili’s Pepper Pals country-fried chicken crispers with ranch dressing and homestyle fries – 1,110 calories

4.     Worst Drink – baskin-Robbins Heath shake (small) – 990 calories

5.     Worst Nachos – On the Border Mexican Grill and Cantina Kids bean and cheese nachos – 980 calories

6.     Worst Burger – Ruby Tuesday Kids’ turkey minis and fries – 893 calories (okay I wondered on this but it has only 14 fewer calories than its beef counterpart)

7.     Worst Finger Food – Denny’s Little Dipper Sampler with fries – 860 calories

8.     Worst Mexican Meal – On the Border Grill and Cantina Kids beef soft taco Mexican dinner – 840 calories

9.     Worst Dessert – Uno Chicago Grill Kids’ sundae – 840 calories

10.  Worst Frozen Supermarket Meal – DiGiorno for One bread crust pepperoni pizza – 840 calories

11.  Worst Breakfast – Denny’s Big Dipper French Toastix with whipped margarine and maple flavored syrup – 810 calories

12.  Worst Pizza – Cosi’s Kids’ pepperoni pizza – 806 calories

13.  Worst Fast Food Meal – Burger King double cheeseburger and small fries – 740 calories

14.  Worst Prepared Lunch – Mayer Lunchables maxed out turkey and cheddar cracker combo – 680 calories

15.  Worst sandwich – Au Bon Pain Kids’ grilled cheese – 670 calories

16.  Worst Pasta Meal –Romano’s Macaroni Grill Kids’ macaroni ‘n’ cheese – 600 calories

17.  Worst Home-Style Meal – Boston Market Kids’ meatloaf with sweet potato casserole and cornbread – 580 calories

18.  Worst Side – Bob Evans smiley face potatoes – 542 calories (get the home fries – 186 calories)

19.  Worst Pastry Breakfast – Burger King Cini-minis with vanilla icing – 500 calories

20.  Worst Breakfast Cereal – Cap’n Crunch (1 cup = 147 calories) Wow, this is tough as I grew up on the stuff, but I am not surprised and I do not buy it for my kids except as a treat every once ina  while

Okay, now you have the worst meals.  Want to know how your favorite restaurant did in termso fo a report card overall?

 

Here is a small sampling from the Men’s Health article:

·        Chick-fil-A gets an A

·        Subway gets an A-

·        Wendy’s gets an A-

·        Boston Market gets a B+

·        Panera Bread gets a B

·        McDonald’s gets a B

·        Arby’s gets a B

·        Bob Evans gets a B-

·        Cosi  gets a C

·        Taco Bell gets a C

·        Burger King gets a C

·        Starbucks gets a C-

·        Chipotle gets a D (portions just too big – surpised?)