Group: Some 'healthy' kids meals not so healthy - Chicago News and Weather | FOX 32 News

Group: Some 'healthy' kids meals not so healthy

You think by adding fruit or grilling instead of deep frying the kids' fast food meals are getting more healthy, right?  One advocacy group says don't be fooled.

The non-profit Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine found some so called healthy kids meals aren't so healthy.

Chick-Fil-A Kids Grilled Nuggets contain the same amount of cholesterol as a Big Mac.

McDonald's Cheeseburger Happy Meal has more sodium than 13 orders of McDonald's kids fries.

Sonic Kids Junior Burger Meal has more sugar than two Twinkies.

Burger King's Hamburger Kids Meal contains almost as much cholesterol as six slices of pork bacon.

Denny's Build Your Own Junior Grand Slam has almost 100 more milligrams of sodium than the government recommends children get at breakfast.

Are high levels of sodium and cholesterol something kids need to worry about?  Absolutely. However, Beaumont dietitian Christine Eagle also believes once in a while fast food is okay.
 
"If you're eating fast food or packaged convenience foods three times a day, that's probably excessive.  If you're choosing it once a week when you're in a time crunch, it's probably going to be okay if you make a good choice."

The best choice probably comes from the produce aisle, which means throw a cooler in the car instead of hitting the drive-through.  Try a backseat picnic.
   
"Getting nitrate free deli meats and having sandwiches and cheese sticks and fresh fruit and nuts and seeds and good choices of beverages like water.  Water or milk would be the best things."

There is a lot of good information out there to help us get our kids to eat better.  For help with shopping, cooking and eating, visit www.eatright.org/kids.