The Center for Science in the Public Interest just published a report detailing the nutrition and caloric content of kids' meals from 13 major chains. The result? An astounding NINETY-THREE percent of
the 1,474 meal options exceeded the caloric limit of 430 calories for a
child's meal. The 430 is based on one-third of a the recommended daily
allowance of calories for a child aged four to eight.

Worst options:

• Chili’s
  kids' meal comprised of country-fried chicken crispers, cinnamon
  apples, and chocolate milk boasts 1,020 calories, and another of their
  offerings comprised of cheese pizza, homestyle fries, and lemonade has
  1,000 calories. 94 percent of Chili's kids' meal options have too many
  calories.
• Burger King “Big Kids” meal with a double cheeseburger, fries, and chocolate milk has 910 calories
• Sonic's “Wacky Pack” has grilled cheese, fries, a slushie and 830 calories.
• KFC's “Laptop Meals” with popcorn chicken, baked beans, biscuit, Teddy Grahams, and fruit punch has 940 calories.
• For KFC, Sonic, Jack-in-the-Box, Chick-fil-A, and Taco Bell, ALL meal options exceeded caloric allowance.
• Popular
  chains such as McDonald's and Wendy's were also high on calories. 93
  percent of the kids' meals at these chains exceed the recommended
  allowance.

Better option?

• Subway,
  but only one-third of their menu items for kids fit the bill, partially
  because the chain does not offer soft drinks with kids' meals. The
  better meal options there include a mini-sub, juice box and apple
  slices.

Best option?

• Feed them the good stuff at home. Of course.

What to Fix?

• Tomato and Avocado Panzanella
• Summer Thai Salad
• Caramelized Onions and Chard Saute
• Guinness, Cheddar and Caramelized Onion Burgers
• Cherry Wine Turnovers