Healthy Dining Finder - Kids LiveWell Nutrition Criteria
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nutrition criteria

Kids LiveWellSM Nutrition Criteria

The National Restaurant Association is proud to introduce Kids LiveWell to assist parents and children in selecting healthful menu options when dining out. This initiative is a voluntary program through which restaurants commit to offering healthful menu items for children.

The featured menu items provided meet specific nutrition criteria as recommended by leading health organizations' scientific guidelines and verified by Healthy Dining’s team of registered dietitians. You can be sure when you select a Kids LiveWell full meal it meets the following criteria:

Full Kids' Meals (entrée, side option and beverage):
  • 600 calories or less
  • ≤35% of calories from total fat
  • ≤10% of calories from saturated fat
  • <0.5 grams trans fat (artificial trans fat only)
  • ≤35% of calories from total sugars (added and naturally occurring)
  • ≤770 mg of sodium
  • 2 or more food groups (see below)

Side Items:
  • 200 calories or less
  • ≤35% of calories from total fat
  • ≤10% of calories from saturated fat
  • <0.5 grams artificial trans fat
  • ≤35% of calories from total sugars (added and naturally occurring)
  • ≤250 mg of sodium
  • 100% fruit, vegetables or juice; and low fat (1%) and skim milks are permitted
  • 1 food group (see below)

Fruit, Vegetables, Whole Grains, Lean Protein and Low-Fat Dairy:
Full meals must include two sources, and a la carte sides must include one source of the following:

Fruit
Fruit (includes 100% juice):
½ cup or more = 1 star

Vegetables:
½ cup or more = 1 star

Whole GrainsWhole grains:
Contains whole grains = 1 star

Lean protein (skinless white meat poultry, fish, seafood, beef, pork, tofu, beans, eggs): At least 2 ounces meat, 1 egg equivalent, 1 oz nuts/seeds/dry bean/peas = 1 star (lean as defined by FDA)

Dairy
Lower-fat dairy (1% or skim milk and dairy): ½ cup or more = 1 star (while not considered low-fat, 2% milk is allowed if included in the meal and the meal still fits the full meal criteria)

                                     Deep fried items not permitted

For more information on joining the Kids LiveWell program, please call (858) 541-2049 or e-mail Erica@HealthyDiningFinder.com.

LiveWell and Kids LiveWell are service marks of the National Restaurant Association.
 

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