The document highlights the growing importance of healthy meal options for children due to rising childhood obesity rates and changing dining habits, with nearly one-third of calories consumed coming from meals prepared outside the home. It emphasizes that providing nutritious menu choices can attract customers, particularly parents concerned about health, and enhances restaurant revenue and customer loyalty. The Kids LiveWell program, initiated by the National Restaurant Association, assists restaurants in implementing healthier menu options, thereby aligning with consumer demand for nutritious meals.

1. Menu Makeover:
HEALTHY FOOD FOR KIDS

2. www.MissionRS.com 2
According to the U.S. Department of
Agriculture, Americans now get nearly
1/3 of their calories—32%—from
meals prepared outside the home, up
from about 18% in 1977.
Because today’s busy families often eat
out several times a week, providing healthy
meals that appeal to both parents and kids
can be a differentiator and strong selling
point for your restaurant.

3. Why Healthy Choices Matter
Childhood obesity is a serious concern: Obesity has more than doubled in children and
quadrupled in adolescents in the past 30 years.
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With statistics like these, it’s no surprise that parents are placing more importance on the food choices
available for their children. In addition, providing healthy menu options for kids can have an impact
on their lives for decades to come. Several studies have shown that what you eat as a kid becomes a
blueprint for food choices as an adult.
1980 2012
6–11
yrs.
6–11
yrs.
12-19
yrs.
12-19
yrs.
18%
7%
21%
5%

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Benefits of Healthy Options
As healthy eating becomes more of a priority, families often choose their
dining location based on healthy menu options.
Adding healthier choices for children will help your restaurant:
Offering healthy options for
kids attracts parents who are
concerned about nutrition.
Customers are willing to pay
a bit more for items that offer
more nutritional value.
Nutritious and tasty kids’ menu
items appeal to both parents
and kids, which keeps them
coming back for more!
72% of consumers say
that they would be more likely
to visit a restaurant that
offers healthful
options.
ATTRACT NEW CUSTOMERS INCREASE CHECK AVERAGES ENCOURAGE REPEAT VISITS

5. www.MissionRS.com 5
Small Changes = Big Impact
Just a few small changes to your restaurants kids’ menu is all it takes to create options that parents and
kids will love.
Add colorful fruits and vegetables
(leafy greens, peas, carrots,
strawberries, apples, oranges)
Offer colorful fruit
based desserts
Use lean proteins instead
of red meat (chicken,
turkey, seafood)
Reduce the amount of
fried menu itemsInclude whole grains
(quinoa, brown rice,
whole grain pastas
and breads)
Focus on portion
control and healthier
drink options (skim milk
and fruit infused water)

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Menu Makeover in Action
The Silver Diner,
a restaurant chain focused
on making healthy
choices, was put to the
test during a recent
experiment done by Tufts
University. Researchers
kept track of kids’ ordering
patterns as well as the
restaurants sales, and
analyzed more than 350,000
kids’ meals ordered.
The Silver Diner was
asked to remove
french fries as the
standard side, and
implement healthier
options such as fruit,
mixed vegetables and
salads. In addition,
sugary fountain drinks
were removed from
the menu.
Not only did they
find that the overall
revenue of the Silver
Diner continued
to grow, but kids
began choosing the
healthier menu option
on their own.

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Join the Movement
The National Restaurant Association created the Kids LiveWell
Program to help restaurants add healthy choices to their kids’ menu. The four-year-old program has
teamed with more than 42,000 restaurant locations nationwide.
The program follows specific criteria that is recommended by the Healthy Dining’s team of registered
dieticians, including:
No deep fried foods
are permitted
600 calories
or less
Fruit, vegetables, whole grains,
lean protein and low-fat dairy are
the items offered
Side items are 200
calories or less

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About MissionRS.com
Paul Luis Christina Sandy Joel
Visit Our Online Store
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Learn more about our
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Sources:
http://www.cdc.gov/healthyschools/obesity/facts.htm
http://www.restaurant.org/Industry-Impact/Food-Healthy-Living/Kids-LiveWell-
Program
http://wtop.com/food/2015/05/local-restaurant-chains-gets-national-attention-from-
study-on-healthy-kids-options/
http://publichealth.lacounty.gov/chronic/docs/CTG_CHLA_Restaurants.pdf
http://www.bonappetit.com/entertaining-style/trends-news/article/restaurant-kids-
menus
http://www.sugarfreekidsmd.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/Kids-Meal-Fact-
Sheet-2015_FINAL.pdf
http://www.restaurant.org/Restaurant/media/Restaurant/SiteImages/News%20
and%20Research/Whats%20Hot/WhatsHot2016_Top20Food_1200x1200.jpg
Healthful kids’ meals are predicted to be a hot trend in 2016, ranking #7 on the
National Restaurant Association’s Top 20 Food Trends. Mission Restaurant Supply
is committed to helping you stay up-to-date on the latest industry trends, and
providing you with the supplies and equipment to keep up with them.
Mission RS is known nationwide for our dedication to extraordinary customer
service, a family-like atmosphere, and strong commitment to the industry. Our team
is comprised of restaurant supply and equipment experts that are focused on our
customer success. Long term relationships and customers have helped us grow,
and we’re committed to continuing that personal service. From our website to our
stores to our team, we aim to provide the best.
We look forward to serving your supply needs,
The MissionRS.com Team