1.     Applebee's removes soda from kids' menu (nutrition advocates cheer)
Bob P.          SERVINGALCOHOL.COM

Source: Orlando Sentinel
December 2, 2015

Applebee's has dumped soda from their children's menus, following the lead of several fast-food restaurants that previously removed the sugary drinks from a place of menu prominence, a national nutrition advocacy organization announced Monday.

Applebee's move won praise from the Center for Science in the Public Interest, which has been lobbying for two years to have soda a no-show on kids' menus. Key fast-food chains, including Burger King, McDonald's and Wendy's, already have done that.

Applebee's, the center said, is the first "family-dining" restaurant to scratch soda from its children's offerings.

Why this is good news for Moms and Dads worried about their kids' health: Families tend to order the "default" items at restaurants, studies have found.

So if the kids' meal comes with soda, many of us let the tykes drink soda. But if the meal comes with a healthier option, we'll go with that rather than making a special request for a soda. Applebee's website lists milk and juice options under the "pick a drink" section of its kids' menu.

"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," said the center's Jessica Almy in a statement. "Kudos to Applebee's for taking this important step to promote children's health."

Applebee's is owned by DineEquity, which also owns the IHOP restaurants, and the pancake places also have nixed soda on children's menus, the group said.

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