Push for ‘default’ healthy drinks and sides with fast food

WATER and salad should be the standard options at fast food chains, not sugary drinks and fries, according to obesity researchers.

FAST-food meals should be automatically served with water and salad or fruit unless customers ask otherwise, obesity researchers say.

Price cuts for healthy choices are also being urged to inspire a shift from fatty chips and sugary drinks.

“All meal deals should have water and a healthy side as the default option — particularly for kids,” Deakin University’s Associate Professor Gary Sacks said.

He called on all companies to offer salad or fresh fruit as an alternative to fries, and water rather than juice or soft drink as a preferential  option.

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George and Poppy Shepherdson feast on fast food with healthy sides and water. Mum Sally says when they occasionally have fast food, she orders water. Picture: Sarah Matray

His comments come amid Deakin University’s Global Obesity Centre review of major chains’ disclosed obesity prevention and nutrition policies and ­commitments.

Prof Sacks said while some outlets had added healthier choices, such items were typically more expensive. “Most heavily promoted items are unhealthy, like $1 frozen Cokes or two-for-one burgers.”

The Inside Our Quick Service Restaurants report also suggests:

HEALTH stars or colour codes be included on menu boards;

ADVERTISING and sponsorship restrictions to reduce children’s exposure;

FEWER discounts and value deals for unhealthy options;

TARGETS to reduce salt, sugar, “bad” fat, kilojoule content and meal portion sizes; and

BANS on toy, cartoon character and interactive game ­promotions.

Sally Shepherdson allows her children, Poppy, 6, and ­George, 8, fast food occasionally, and usually orders water.

She supports encouraging healthy eating through lower prices.

The audit of 11 chains was mainly based on publicly available information because most did not provide extra detail.

It noted industry progress on reformulated products, menu labelling and nutrition information. Specific product healthiness was not assessed.

Subway scored best overall at 48 out of 100. It has both a healthy drink and side default for all kids’ meals and has axed artificially produced trans fat.

McDonald’s (42) and KFC (41) followed.

Domino’s Pizza (3) and Grill’d (10) were ranked lowest.

Domino’s said it had detailed nutritional information available online and in stores and that it already met or exceeded a number of recommendations.

Grill’d founder Simon Crowe slammed the results and threatened legal action, alleging the research was “flawed, misleading and deceptive”.

“This survey is focused on how companies can do better in relation to their policies on nutrition and obesity and yet failed to recognise that Grill’d has been focused on those very issues since 2004,” Mr Crowe said.

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@KarenCollierHS