Fast food kids\u2019 meals in Australia can contain an entire day\u2019s recommended salt intake according to new research which highlights the hidden toll fast food can have on young children\u2019s health.<\/p>\n
The George Institute for Global Health, VicHealth and the Heart Foundation report analysed salt content in kids\u2019 meals from four major fast food outlets: Hungry Jack\u2019s, KFC, McDonald\u2019s and Subway.<\/p>\n
The report (part of a global push to reduce the salt content in children\u2019s food during World Salt Awareness Week) found a huge variation in salt of children\u2019s meals across the four chains.<\/p>\n
A six pack of chicken nuggets from KFC and Hungry Jack\u2019s contained twice as much salt as six pack of chicken nuggets from McDonald\u2019s; a McDonald\u2019s Cheeseburger Happy Meal with fries contained almost two thirds of a day\u2019s worth of salt, and a KFC Kids Meal Snack Popcorn contained almost half a days\u2019 worth of salt.<\/p>\n
Subway Kids\u2019 Packs were the least salty meal options, providing mini subs and purees rather than burgers with chips; all of their meals were found to be in the top five lowest salt kids’ meal options and contained one gram of salt or less per meal.<\/p>\n
Meals with fries were among the saltiest options with McDonald\u2019s the only chain that provided apple slices, yoghurt and cherry tomatoes as an option, instead of fries.<\/p>\n
Heart Foundation dietitian Sian Armstrong said while none of the popular meals are healthy options, it was concerning to see some kids\u2019 meals contain more than a day\u2019s worth of salt.<\/p>\n
\u201cAn alarming 80 per cent of Aussie kids are eating too much salt with most of it coming from processed food and fast food takeaways.<\/p>\n
\u201cMost parents know that fast food isn\u2019t a healthy option for their kids, however they may not realise that a single kids\u2019 meal could blow out an entire day\u2019s salt intake.\u201d<\/p>\n
Only Subway met the UK standard of less than 1.8 grams of salt per meal, with 30 per cent of the meals analysed in the report in excess.<\/p>\n
The George Institute\u2019s Public Health Nutritionist and the report\u2019s lead author Clare Farrand said it was clear more regulation on fast food outlets was needed.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is unacceptable that some children\u2019s meals in Australia are significantly saltier than similar meals purchased in the UK.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe fact that some companies produce the same foods with a lot less salt in the UK demonstrates that they can, and should for all countries.\u201d<\/p>\n
VicHealth dietitian Jenny Reimers said when it comes to kids\u2019 meals it was time for fast food outlets to make the default choice the healthier option.<\/p>\n
\u201cKids aren\u2019t born craving salty food \u2013 we develop this taste preference based on exposure so it\u2019s really important parents limit the amount of salty food their kids eat.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhile it\u2019s encouraging that some fast food outlets are including fresh fruit and vegies as options in their kids\u2019 meals this should be the default and it should be offered at all restaurants.”<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Fast food kids\u2019 meals in Australia can contain an entire day\u2019s recommended salt intake according to new research which highlights the hidden toll fast food can have on young children\u2019s health. The George Institute for Global Health, VicHealth and the Heart Foundation report analysed salt content in kids\u2019 meals from four major fast food outlets: […]<\/p>\n