Calories listed on fast food helpful

The amount of calories selected by parents for their child's hypothetical meal at McDonald's restaurants were reduced when the menus clearly showed the calories for each item. This is the first study to suggest that labeled menus may lead to significantly reduced calorie intake in fast food restaurant meals purchased for children.

Led by researchers from Seattle Children's Research Institute, the findings published in Pediatrics support nutritional menu labeling and show that when parents have access to this information they may make smarter meal choices for their children.

Parents who were given the calorie information chose 102 fewer calories on average for their children, compared with the group who did not have access to calorie information on their menus. This reflects a calorie reduction of approximately 20%. Notably, there was no difference in calories between the two groups for items the parents would have chosen for themselves. "Just an extra 100 calories per day may equate to about ten pounds of weight gain per year. Our national childhood obesity epidemic has grown right alongside our fast food consumption. Anything we can do to help families make more positive choices could make a difference. Interestingly, by simply providing parents the caloric information they chose lower calorie items.

Bonnie - what a novel idea: nutritional information on menus. Why is this not mandatory? Because it is one of Big Food's dirtiest little secrets. If customers knew how many awful calories were in the dishes they frequently consume, they would be incredulous.

10 restaurant tips for parents and caregivers when selecting menu items for young children:

1. Eat at restaurants less often: they are not for frequent dining.
2. Model healthy ordering: children learn from you.
   
3. Read menus. Make informed choices together.
4. Sizes: choose smallest portions available.
5. Sides: choose salads, veggies, apple slices, and mixed fruit.
   
6. Beverages: choose water.
   
7. Load up veggies: lettuce, tomato, onion, cucumber, pickles and salsa add flavor, crunch and fiber for few calories.
8. Avoid deep-fried, "crispy" or breaded items. (Choose "grilled" instead).
9. Avoid add-ons: extra cheeses, meats, bacon, butter, sauces and toppings add up fast.
10. Avoid: sauces, breads/buns/tortillas, desserts. Dip into sauces on the side; remove part of the bun.

Moderation is key. If your family eats out for a meal, eat extra healthy the rest of the day.