Fast food: kids love it!

A burger can be balanced

True. Relatively if we are satisfied with the classic hamburger which consists of bread (sweet of course even if it is cereal) with minced meat (steak or poultry), salad and onions. But it is much less when you add sauce, bacon or a double portion of cheese.

It is better for him to take ketchup than other sauces

True. Mustard, or failing that, ketchup (especially made from tomato paste) should be preferred over other sauces, as they do not add fat. Avoid mayonnaise and “special” sauces (barbecue and co …), which can provide up to 200 kcal per portion!

He must not take fries

False. Yet it is the perfect place to eat it, and it is often for fries that children mainly want to go to fast food. Once is not custom ! But a small portion is enough. You can always try, once there, to offer him a salad. And if he prefers “vegetable balls”, why not, but their nutritional contribution is closer to fries than to homemade vegetable puree!

The fries are less fatty than elsewhere

False. However, they can be more or less fatty depending on the brand. What is important is the quality of the fats. A major brand is committed to changing cooking oil with better nutritional qualities by reducing the rate of trans fatty acids (the most dangerous for health, but widely used so that oil baths last longer) without increasing the level of saturated fatty acids (also bad). It will be less interesting than a cooking oil for the house which it will not provide trans fatty acids. In all cases, the fries remain high in calories and fat.

If my child is a little coated, I must not take him to fast food

False. Desire is born out of frustration. This is the best way to get him to develop eating disorders. Never take her to fast food outside of meal times. Of course, the foods offered are generally high in fats and sugars, but it’s the regularity that counts. Just help him balance his menu by avoiding sugary drinks and sauces galore. And don’t forget that a child especially likes to go to fast food to eat with their hands, and for the gift!

Diet soda is better for him

False. We agree at home, your child should mainly drink water but at fast food the sweet drink is part of the package. So light or not? No, diet soda is not recommended for children under the age of six at all. It’s better to give her a normal sweet drink every now and then than diet soda too often.

Milkshakes provide calcium

True. Like any product that contains milk! A milkshake is also made with ice cream. As such, it provides sugar and fats. So once in a while for fun. But for calcium intake, prefer the milk briquette!

The children’s menu is adapted to their needs

False. Do not confuse energy intake (a meal does not exceed 600 kcal at Mac Do) and balance. A menu, even relatively balanced, remains rich in fats (20 g on average) and in sugars (15 to 30 g for 70 g of carbohydrates). It often lacks a dairy product and greenery for example, which would provide fiber, calcium and vitamins. To restore balance, have him take plain, unflavored water and fruit for dessert. And that day, offer the following meal a raw meal, vegetables, starch, yogurt and fruit.