A BIG, FAT PROBLEM
Research proves Restaurants are making us fat

American Kids have a weight problem, but a new study shows it's not completely our fault.

The Center for Science in the Public Interest released a report looking at the nutritional quality of kids meals at 13 major restaurant chains and found 93 percent of menu choices exceed the maximum number of calories kids should consume in a meal (430 calories).

This is a trend we've seen developing for years. A study of 41 national restaurants found that kids are getting shortchanged nutritionally with enormous portions of fatty, fried entrées, and too few of the foods they need most—like fruits and vegetables.

A list of the 20 worst kids foods in America is enough to turn anyone's stomach. It includes things like an Au Bon Pain grilled cheese sandwich with as much saturated fat as 25 strips of bacon, and Burger King's 740-calorie Kids Double Cheeseburger and fries. When restaurant food accounts for a third of children's daily caloric intake, these dishes add up to nutritionally devastating proportions.

Kids aren't the only ones eating super-sized meals—the numbers on your menu are skyrocketing, as well. So steer clear of this 1,145-calorie turkey burger and the massive 2,900-calorie appetizer at Outback Steakhouse. You can also use our online tool to help you make thousands of simple swaps.

Until restaurants slim down their menus, Eat This, Not That! can help you shape up