What Applebee’s Is Now Refusing to Offer Kids

Yahoo Parenting
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Applebee’s is making it a lot easier for parents to just say no to soda. The restaurant chain is removing the beverage from children’s menus and placemats, according to a new press release from the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI). Tom Linafelt — a spokesperson for DineEquity, Inc., which owns Applebee’s — tells Yahoo Parenting that the new policy has already gone into effect at most of the chain’s franchises, and that kids’ drink options will be limited to apple juice, orange tangerine juice, milk, and chocolate milk.

STORY: Why Teen Girls Should Avoid Soda

Let’s be clear: The announcement doesn’t mean Applebee’s will ban soda altogether. “While soft drinks are still available by request,” says Linafelt, “this is a small step in assisting parents when dining out.”

DineEquity also owns pancake house IHOP, which is in the process of making similar changes to all its menus. And both restaurants are following the lead of eateries such as McDonald’s, Burger King, and Wendy’s, which have deleted sodas from children’s menus as well.

Why is the bubbly stuff so harmful to kids’ health? “Soda and other sugar drinks promote diabetes, obesity, tooth decay, and even heart disease, and a kids’ menu is no place for disease-promoting drinks,” Jessica Almy, senior nutrition policy counsel at CSPI, said in the press release. “Kudos to Applebee’s for taking this important step to promote children’s health. Other sit-down chains such as Chili’s should follow Applebee’s lead.”

And while kids may not pleased by the change, it’s a safe bet that many parents will appreciate it. “When you take your kids out to a restaurant, you want them to be on their best behavior,” Devon Hepler, a California-based mother of four, tells Yahoo Parenting. “If healthier choices are the only ones on the menu, that’s one less thing to fuss about.”

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