This list from BuzzFeed compares the best and worst fast food kids' meals in terms of caloric intake. According to the American Heart Association, children 4 to 8 years old need 1200 to 1400 calories a day and youth 9 to 13 should consume around 1800 calories.
For each chain restaurant listed, BuzzFeed explains the lowest amount of calories you can order in a fast food kids' meal and the highest. It also offers tips on eating healthier at each of the included establishments. From McDonalds to Subway and Dairy Queen to Kentucky Fried Chicken, 13 different places are covered. While at KFC you can get a kid's meal with 205 calories, at DQ you can order a 1080 meal consisting of a cheeseburger, kid's fries, Dilly's Bar and Arctic Rush drink.
Children's Calorie-Comparing Charts
BuzzFeed Contrasts Fast Food Kids' Meals Based on Calories
Trend Themes
1. Healthy Fast Food Options for Kids - Opportunities for fast food chains to innovate by developing more healthier meal options for kids
2. Increasing Awareness of Children's Nutrition - Trend towards more data-driven and educational tools to help parents make informed decisions about what their children eat
3. Growth in Online Nutrition Resources for Children - Opportunities for online platforms and apps to provide nutrition information and guidance specifically tailored for children
Industry Implications
1. Fast Food Industry - Need to pivot towards offering more healthy food options and educational materials for parents to appeal to families' growing concerns about childhood nutrition
2. Online Nutrition Education Industry - Increasing demand for digital resources and tools that provide authoritative nutrition information specifically for children
3. Children's Health and Wellness Industry - Growing focus on the nutritional needs of children presents opportunities for companies that offer healthy food and fitness options, as well as educational resources for families