Restaurants incorporating healthier menus for children

September 5, 3:23 PMAnaheim Diets ExaminerCorinne Kantor

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Denny's is now offering healthier menu choices for children
(Photo: Business Wire)

In an effort to get families to dine out more, many restaurants are revamping children's menus in order to make them healthier. According to a study performed recently by market research firm Mintel International Group Ltd., parents are looking for healthier alternatives to the standard kids' menus containing chicken fingers, grilled cheese sandwiches, and macaroni and cheese.

* P.F. Chang's China Bistro Inc. and The Cheesecake Factory Inc. - These restaurants added their first-ever kids' menus. P.F. Chang's new menu includes entrees such as the Baby Buddha's Feast (contains steamed or stir-fried snap peas, carrots and broccoli) and kids' lo mein (egg noodles stir-fried with chicken).

* IHOP Corp., known for it funny-face pancakes, now offers the following mealts for children: a Tilapia fillet served with steamed broccoli; an egg and pancake breakfast served with a scrambled egg substitute; and a kids' fresh fruit dish.

* Denny's Corp. recently removed several sugary and fatty items from its kids' menu, including French toast sticks, hot dogs, and packets of sugar and food coloring that can be added to beverages to make them change color. Denny's also added carrots, celery and cucumbers with Ranch dressing; vanilla yogurt with a strawberry topping; and spaghetti with marinara sauce to its kids' menu.

In addition, many restaurants are letting kids eat free on certain days in order to attract more customers.