Like Wendy's and McDonald's, fast food chain Burger King has also joined campaign to promote healthy foods for children, according to Health Aim. They have included healthy drinks in children's meal menu and removed soft drinks.
The company's management disclosed that they will not serve carbonated and soda drinks to children. However, adults will be able to get carbonated and sugary drinks. But the Burger King kids' menu will not have these drinks. That being said, children can purchase soft drinks from the Burger King chains if they want.
Most nutrition and health advocates have responded positively to the initiative taken by the fast food restaurant chain. Margo Wootan, director of Center for Science in the Public Interest, said that the initiative will help reduce the consumption of soft drinks among children.
The menu of the Burger King children's meals will have healthy drinks such as apple juice, water, chocolate milk and milk along with chicken nuggets and fries.
Parents are now well aware of harmful effects of sugary, soda and carbonated drinks. Studies have also shown that sugary soft drinks significantly contribute to obesity.
A study published in the The Journal of Pediatrics found that soft drinks may cause children to develop attention problems. Furthermore, a UK study found that consuming one can of soda per day can increase the risk of diabetes, Medical News Today reported.
Dr Moses Elisaf, professor of medicine at the University of Ioannina, Greece, said, "We are consuming more soft drinks than ever before and a number of health issues have already been identified including tooth problems, bone demineralisation and the development of metabolic syndrome and diabetes."