Posted Wednesday, July 13, 2011 --- 8:15 a.m.
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Parents seeking healthier restaurant meals for their kids are about to get options -- lots of them.
At least 19 large restaurant chains plan to announce today that healthier items will be on their children's menus. At least 15,000 restaurant locations will increase servings of fruits and vegetables, lean proteins, whole grains and low-fat dairy. Burgers and fries will still be available, but the restaurants plan to promote their healthier offerings.
To participate, the restaurants must include at least one kids' menu item of no more than 600 calories and offer a side dish of less than 200 calories.
Among the companies signing up for the initiative are Au Bon Pain, Bonefish Grill, Burger King, Chili's, Cracker Barrel, Denny's, El Pollo Loco, Friendly's, and Outback Steakhouse.
Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.
