U.S. restaurants put PG rating on fries - Polidicks

LOS ANGELES — An American restaurant operator is to introduce a "PG" system for menus in the latest victory for Michelle Obama's campaign against childhood obesity. Darden Restaurants, which owns several nationwide chains, will require children to have parental permission when they order fries with a meal. Fruit or vegetable side dishes and low-fat milk will also become the standard option. Amid growing calls for healthier options the restaurants will also reduce calories and sodium in meals for children by a fifth over the next decade. Darden's Olive Garden, Red Lobster, LongHorn Steakhouse and Bahama Breeze chains will also each offer at least one children's meal option of less than 600 calories. Olive Garden has previously been criticized by nutritionists for its "never ending pasta bowl" offer. Darden, which owns 1,900 restaurants in 49 states, is the latest U.S. restaurant operator to heed calls from consumer advocates for healthier meals for children following moves by McDonald's and Burger King to offer fruit. Mrs Obama, speaking at an Olive Garden restaurant in Hyattsville, Maryland, said: "This is a breakthrough moment in the restaurant industry. I believe the changes Darden will make will impact the health and wellbeing of an entire generation. What's good for kids and families can also be good for business. "We want parents to feel confident that enjoying a meal at a restaurant doesn't mean sacrificing their children's health." One in three U.S. children is overweight or obese and the first lady began her campaign to change eating habits last year. Mrs Obama has chalked up a number of successes since launching her "Let's Move" campaign in February last year. In November, however, she drew the ire of Sarah Palin, the former Republican vice-presidential candidate, who claimed the anti-obesity push reflected a belief that parents cannot be trusted "to make decisions for their own children". © Copyright (c) The Daily Telegraph Source: [url]http://www.thestarphoenix.com/health/restaurants+rating+fries/5416092/story.html?cid=megadrop_story#ixzz1YR8FvnVg[/url]

big mac, PEGI 18

wat

[QUOTE=coolmzn222;32380249]wat[/QUOTE] It's a good idea in some aspects. But the parents are usually to blame.

Its great, hopefully less parents get their kids fattter than shit

This is just frytening ahahah

To be honest, from what I see here (different country, but still) quite a few parents actually do not have a clue with what their children need, instead filling what they want. Sure I'd love a few jaffa cakes now, but I'll have a few carrots (which are fucking amazing) instead, as I know that I need to eat some fruit and veg. Most of the parents that I see will just chuck chocolate at the kids in the hopes that they shut up.

Actually not a bad idea.

This makes me feel like an anoretic top model.

It's not like young children walk into restaurants alone and order fries. Typically a child has already asked for the fries to begin with and the parents OKed it. Or I could be wrong depending on what age group this really effects? I'm assuming 10 and below or something around that.

[QUOTE=KillaGunna24;32380391]It's not like young children walk into restaurants alone and order fries. Typically a child has already asked for the fries to begin with and the parents OKed it. Or I could be wrong depending on what age group this really effects? I'm assuming 10 and below or something around that.[/QUOTE] When I was 12 kids used to go to McDonalds and order fries after school I didn't though I went home and made my own fries

[QUOTE=KillaGunna24;32380391]Typically a child has already asked for the fries to begin with and the parents OKed it.[/QUOTE] Depends on the parents I think - back in the day mine were cool with whatever I ate in restaurants as long as it wasn't only dessert. Then again I was also one of those weird kids who actually liked eating his produce once in a while.

This is fucking dumb. When I was a kid, a kids meal was a cheeseburger, french fries, a small drink, and a toy. Getting a kids meal was an occasional treat. Not something that lazy parents get for their ADHD kids every fucking day (which would indeed be unhealthy).

[QUOTE=Spearman;32380434]I didn't though I went home and made my own fries[/QUOTE] Which were probably healthier for you than anything McDonalds was offering, even back then.

[QUOTE=cqbcat;32380478]This is fucking dumb. When I was a kid, a kids meal was a cheeseburger, french fries, a small drink, and a toy. Getting a kids meal was an occasional treat. Not something that lazy parents get for their ADHD kids every fucking day (which would indeed be unhealthy).[/QUOTE] Yeah, when I was a kid I went to a fast food restaurant once maybe twice a month not like every day

When I was a kid I went to McDonalds maybe once every month, and it was only if we stopped on a long journey. That Parents can substitute a full meal with McDonalds is frightening.

I would be perfectly happy if fast food restaurants were shut down entirely, but we need them to provide jobs... So, I suppose, forcing people to actually think about what their children are eating is the next best thing. I see no issue with requiring parents to okay what their children are eating. Might wake some of the irresponsible morons who are shoving this crap down their kids' gullets to the idea that it might not be the best thing for them.

[QUOTE=woolio1;32380773]I would be perfectly happy if fast food restaurants were shut down entirely, but we need them to provide jobs... So, I suppose, forcing people to actually think about what their children are eating is the next best thing. I see no issue with requiring parents to okay what their children are eating. Might wake some of the irresponsible morons who are shoving this crap down their kids' gullets to the idea that it might not be the best thing for them.[/QUOTE] It won't change shit, it just means the parents will have to say "Yes, I WOULD like fries with my kids meal."

[QUOTE=XanaToast.;32380233]big mac, PEGI 18[/QUOTE] Triple Whopper, Refused Classification. :v:

[QUOTE=XanaToast.;32380233]big mac, PEGI 18[/QUOTE] Read it in that mans voice too. [editline]19th September 2011[/editline] [QUOTE=Spearman;32380508]Yeah, when I was a kid I went to a fast food restaurant once maybe twice a month not like every day[/QUOTE]

Doesn't seem like it will have much effect, since most children are having their fries bought for them by their parents anyway.

wut?

I support this, although it won't change much it's a start

this will do nothing literally nothing except waste ink which contributes to environmental problems which will kill us all.

Yeah this is a bullshit law.

Australia is sooo screwed if this rating system comes here.

When I was a kid, I never went to Mac, 'cause I thought it tasted like shit and my parents never let me.

[QUOTE=Zet;32381862]Australia is sooo screwed if this rating system comes here.[/QUOTE]Give it time.

[QUOTE=Zet;32381862]Australia is sooo screwed if this rating system comes here.[/QUOTE] Big macs and whoppers are now banned due to being too adult.

It's not going to change a thing. Whenever we get McDonald's, my mom gets the standard happy meal for my younger sister, which includes fries. I highly doubt parents are going to start deciding not to get fries or other various things just because there are other menu items available.