Today’s post from The Washington Post’s On Parenting highlights a new study released by The Center for Science in the Public Interest taking an in depth look into the high-calorie, high-fat kids’ meals being served at fast food joint and chain restaurants across the nation.

To give it to you straight, fast food is not good for your kids. In fact, some of these meals have more than a days worth of calories depending on the child. I would be willing to guess that most American parents want their children to eat well, but chain and fast food restaurants are making it difficult for parents to find a healthy meal for children let alone for themselves when eating out.

Chili’s country-fried chicken crispers, cinnamon apples and chocolate milk, which have a whopping 1,020 calories. Chili’s cheese pizza, homestyle fries and lemonade aren’t far behind with 1,000 calories. KFC, one of five restaurants where all kids choices exceed the calorie limit, comes in third with popcorn chicken, baked beans, biscuit, fruit punch and Teddy Grahams for 940 calories. Burger King’s double cheeseburger, fries and chocolate milk have 900 calories. The other four restaurants where all kids meals don’t meet the health criteria are Sonic, Jack in the Box, Chick-fil-A and Taco Bell.

Happy Meal

I don’t think parents should stop treating their children to a high-fat, high-calorie meal from time to time, but I do think it’s important to dine out in moderation. Like anything in life moderation is key in making the best decisions; especially when it comes to eating habits.