With childhood obesity on the rise it is refreshing to see Buger King, the second largest hamburger chain in the world, make some changes in how they create and market food for their under twelve demographic. They have pledged to limit ads for the Kids Meals to those that contain no more than 560 calories with less than 30 percent of the calories coming from fat and with only 10 percent coming from added sugars.
In order to follow these new guidelines they are creating flame broiled chicken tenders and BK Fresh Apple Fries. These are made from red apples, skinned and cut to look like french fries and will be served in the same containers as fries. Although the Apple Fries will not be fried and will be served cold, parents around the world are hoping that the packaging and cut sways their child to make and enjoy a healthy choice. BK will start offering other healthier fare like organic applesauce and low fat milk.
It might seem a dubious proposition to make and package apples to look like french fries, but a recent study showed that food branded as fast food even if it is carrots, still appeals to children, no matter what. So maybe you can put a sheep in wolf's clothing after all!
La Redoute
Rick Owens
Alberta Ferretti
Wow! That's great! I'm glad they still have the Morningstar veggie burgers, too. I would love to get apple "fries" instead of the real thing when I get my BK veggie burger on the road.
1Way to go!
May I just say that it is the parent's choice to take their kids to these fast food restuarants. If they want their kids to eat healthier fare, cook at home.
2Yea, when I was a kid, it was a treat to go to McDonalds! I NEVER have been to Burgar King in my life and I usually don't eat fast food now that I'm older because I didn't get it a lot when I was a kid.
3I think is is very forward-thinking move of Burger King - kudos to them for making the decision to promote healthy eating, rather than playing the lawsuit game!
4tinadutes-I agree with you 100%.
5I think it's great but still- 560 calories? That's still a huge amount for the under-twelve set. I'm glad they're making changes, don't get me wrong, but how many of their kid meals are going to fall above that 560 line, and still be marketed to kids anyway, healthy or not?
6Apple fries... interesting. I bet they taste better fried.
7I love that apple fries idea. Is it sad that I totally want to get some even though I have apples in my fridge right now?
Bookish: how many calories are they supposed to get? I thought it was like 2,000 a day (but I guess that's just for adults?), so 560 seems ok for just one meal. . . .
8Yeah, I was thinking that 560 calories seemed a little high for a kids' meal. But it is a step in the right direction though. Apple fries sound kind of cute! It's definitely a good way to get kids to eat healthier.
But we also have to remember that fast food meals should be an occasional indulgence for kids, not something that they're eating more than once a week. When I was a kid, we had McDonalds maybe 2 times a month if we were lucky. And I think we pretty much hated the food...we just wanted the toys.
9MMMMMMMMM id definitely try the apple fries. yummy!
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