Applebee’s & IHOP Remove Soda From Kids’ Menus

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Studies have shown over-consumption of sugary beverages is linked to health risks like diabetes and obesity.

Healthier options are a must for kids menu’s.

Helping parents and kids to make the easy choice the healthy choice when dining out, the company behind Applebee’s and IHOP restaurants, has decided to completely remove the option of soda on their kid’s menus. This is the first family-dining restaurant to promote and incorporate this change throughout their national chain of restaurants.

Organizations like Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI), MomsRising, the UConn Rudd Center for Food Policy and Obesity (Rudd Center) and the Interfaith Center on Corporate Responsibility, along with many other organizations support have made these changes possible.

They have worked together advocating for healthier options on kid’s menus and are now asking Chili’s to change as well. Using social media efforts and asking through a direct letter to the company, these organizations hope to encourage healthier options for all kids and not allow unhealthy food marketing to be directed at kids in any way.

Many Fast-food chains have removed sodas off their menus as well including Burger King, Subway, McDonald’s, Wendy’s, Panera and Dairy Queen.

All family restaurants should take notice of the health risks associated with sugary sweet beverages like soda, especially since kids who consume these beverages are more likely to be overweight and show increased negative health risks, Harvard studies show. Even persons who drink diet soda are still at risk of diabetes, whereas those who drink tea, coffee or water are at a lower rate of developing diabetes by at least 14 percent, reports a recent study.

More is still being done on efforts to lower soda consumption in cities and restaurants across the nation, but the company behind Applebee’s and IHOP restaurants feels their impact of removing soda’s from kids’ menus will make a huge impact on families that choose to eat at one of their many restaurants across the nation. Shareholders of the company behind Applebee’s and IHOP restaurants have applauded hoping the decision will have a positive impact on children’s health.