Finding delicious, balanced meals for children just got a little easier at thousands of restaurants across the country. Today, the National Restaurant Association launched the latest evolution of the award-winning Kids LiveWell program, a new website that helps families find restaurants offering balanced menu options for children that have been dietitian-verified to meet the program’s science-based nutrition criteria.
Parents and caregivers can now easily go online and search for a restaurant near them that has committed to offering a selection of menu items for children that focus on real foods like fruits, vegetables, meat or meat alternatives, whole grains, and dairy.
What is the Kids LiveWell program?
Kids LiveWell is a voluntary restaurant industry program that certifies kids’ menu items against specific criteria. Registered dietitians verify each item based on menu and nutrition information provided by participating restaurants.
To participate, restaurants must offer at least two meals and two sides that meet science-based nutrition criteria and include at least two food groups. Dietitians evaluate each item for calories, saturated fat, trans fat, added sugars, sodium and servings of key food groups, including fruits, vegetables, dairy, meat or meat alternatives, and whole grains. Participating restaurants must also maintain default kids’ menu beverage options of water, milk, or 100% fruit or vegetable juice.
The long-standing program is the centerpiece of the restaurant industry’s commitment to providing better-for-you choices, especially for children.
“Restaurants that offer Kids LiveWell-certified menu options are helping families find meals they can choose with confidence,” said Michelle Korsmo, President & CEO of the National Restaurant Association. “This new website, with an expanded roster of participating brands, makes it easier for parents and caregivers to find restaurant options that meet their family’s needs when dining out.”
How does the new Kids LiveWell website work?
The new Kids LiveWell website will be a trusted go-to resource for families that illustrates the program’s nutrition requirements and showcases participating brands. Parents can go to the mobile-ready site, kidslivewell.com, and click on the Good Food Finder at the top of the page to see a list of participating restaurants. To explore Kids LiveWell offerings at participating restaurants, simply click the logo to view approved meals.
Parents can find an overview of the Kids LiveWell nutrition requirements at the top of the participating restaurants page on kidslivewell.com and can take an in-depth look at the nutrition criteria in the Kids LiveWell white paper here.
“The new Kids LiveWell website is another way restaurants are delivering value to the families they serve, including their youngest guests,” said Korsmo. “Dining out remains an important part of daily life and families are paying closer attention to what they order and the value they receive. Paired with this new digital tool, Kids LiveWell menu options help participating operators strengthen their value proposition and meet the needs of today’s consumers.”
Which restaurants participate in Kids LiveWell?
Kids LiveWell restaurants fit the needs of every family’s lifestyle. Menu options are available across quickservice, fast casual, and fullservice restaurants, including both independent operators and national chains. Regardless of restaurant type, all participants must meet the same rigorous nutrition standards, which are independently verified by third-party dietitians.
In the last year, the program has added 19 new participating restaurant brands, bringing the total to 37 brands with nearly 75,000 locations, including:
Anna Maria Oyster Bar, Applebee’s, Arby’s, Bonefish Grill, Buffalo Wild Wings, Burger King, Burtons Grill & Bar, Café on St. Armands, Carrabba’s Italian Grill, Chick-fil-A, Chipotle Mexican Grill, Conchy Joe’s Seafood Restaurant & Bar, Denny’s, Dunkin’, Firebirds Wood Fired Grill, First Watch, Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar, Golden Corral, IHOP, Jamba, Jason’s Deli, Jimmy John’s, Konala, McAlister’s Deli, Moe’s Southwest Grill, Outback Steakhouse, Panda Express, QDOBA Mexican Eats, Schlotzsky’s Deli, Silver Diner, SONIC, Subway, T-BONES Great American Eatery, Ted’s Montana Grill, The Dolphin Bar & Shrimp House, Wendy’s, Whataburger®
“Policymakers at every level are paying closer attention to the food options available to families, and the restaurant industry is meeting the moment head-on,” said Sean Kennedy, Chief Advocacy Officer at the National Restaurant Association. “Kids LiveWell illustrates that voluntary industry leadership works. More brands are joining, more qualifying items are on menus nationwide, and the new website makes it easier than ever for families to find these options when dining out. This is the kind of progress that parents championing balanced choices can get behind.”
