The average kids' menu needs more healthy food, says Mintel

The average kids' menu doesn't offer enough variety or healthy food, according to Mintel Menu Insights, which tracks US restaurant menu trends.

Mintel has found the same clichéd foods repeated year after year. Chicken fingers steadily account for 10% of kids' menu items, followed by grilled cheese sandwiches and burgers. Despite increasing health and obesity concerns, other top kids' menu items include hot dogs, pizza and corn dogs.

Maria Caranfa, RD and director of Mintel Menu Insights, said: "Our research shows parents want more nutritious options for their kids, and children are open to fruits, veggies and healthier versions of standard fare. The generic kids' menu really doesn't meet the needs and desires of today's families."

Only three in 10 parents say their children eat healthily at restaurants. But Mintel found kids will eat fruits and veggies. More than three in four children (77%) are open to ordering foods with vegetables, and six in seven (86%) would order fruit-containing items.

Some restaurants have started toying with healthier menus for kids. Though french fries are still the most common side (offered with 66% of kids' menu items), fruits and vegetables have risen in popularity (now at 43% and 39%, respectively). Even rice and salad (18% each) are showing up as kids' side options.

Additionally, more restaurants now use menu descriptors to quantify health. "Fresh" is the top marketing claim on kids' menus, appearing on 17% of items during Q2 2009. In Q2 2005, only 8% of kids' menu items carried the "fresh" claim.

Caranfa added: "Restaurants dabble in healthier menus for kids, but there's still significant work to be done. Health and obesity issues, the popularity of ethnic foods and increased media coverage are creating pressure for revamped kids' menus. Soon, health and menu variety will be the new standards in kids' dining."

Words: Maria Bracken

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