Soda Drinks Removed from the Children’s Menu of Applebees and IHOP

The well-known restaurant chains- IHOP and Applebees have dropped the soft drink from the kid's menu list. It is a recognized fact that the soda consumption is not healthy for the children.

As per the 10 News, Dine Equity is the parent company of the two restaurant chains Applebees and IHOP. Tom Linafelt, the spokesperson of Dine Equity revealed that the dropping of soft drink from the children's menu is just a small step in assisting parents. Although the soda is available on request but the parents is the best judge to decide if it is the right beverage or food choice for their kids.

According to the Fox News report,  "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 Jessica Almy, from the nutrition policy counsel for the Center for Science in the Public Interest, which tracks these types of moves. "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."

The other major food joints Dairy Queen, McDonald's, Wendy's, and Burger King also took similar measures to ensure children's safe health. Keeping the taste buds and the health of the kids in mind, would come up with healthier menu options.

According to the CNN Money report, this move is the most recent step to reduce the soft drink or soda consumption by children. Many school districts have pulled soda machines from school cafeterias and menus.

There are varieties of choices available for the guests in the menu spread that can be suitable for them. In the month of June, McDonald's revealed in a press release that the recent Happy Meal consumption had 48% soda consumption than the 56% in the last year. The rate of consumption has definitely reduced after the step of dropping the soda from the children's menu has been initiated.

The last 30 years have seen a sea of change with obesity taking a toll on the health of the children. The obesity rate has doubled among the kids and gone four times higher on the adolescents. Approximately, one child out of five in both the age categories is now said to be an obese child as per the survey conducted by the Centers for Disease Control.

The changes in the Applebees menu were made in the month of the August and IHOP's menu was changed recently in the month of November 2015. Pepsi products are served by both the restaurant chains.