Is Fast Food Restaurant a Healthy Choice for your Child’s Birthday Party?

(PIA) — Planning for a birthday party of your child is an exciting but tiring task especially if you have never done it before. When planning a birthday party you have to consider a lot of things like food, venue, guest list, theme, invitation, games, decorations, cake and goody bags, and other preparations needed.

Where should you have it? Nowadays people choose to have their child’s birthday party at fast food restaurants or at rented-out space instead of doing it at home.

Fast food restaurants have become popular as a venue for kiddie parties for several reasons. Many mothers are busy with their work that they do not have time to plan, much more prepare for a good party. Or maybe there is not enough space to hold the guests, thus, it is more convenient to have the party at a fast food restaurant.

Some of the large fast-food chains are beginning to incorporate healthier alternatives in their menu like salads, fresh fruits and milk shakes.

Here are simple tips you can consider when planning a kiddie party in a fastfood restaurant:

• Consider and include the three food groups in the menu list. For example, spaghetti (energy-giving), fried chicken (body-building), and vegetable or fruit salad (regulating).
• Serve burger with tomato, lettuce and cucumber instead of the regular cheeseburger.
• Serve fruit juice instead of softdrinks.
• If possible, ask the fastfood restaurant to use reduced fat dressing for burgers and salad instead of regular dressing.
• Consider food safety.

A balanced meal can be also achieved when eating at a fastfood restaurant as long as food items are chosen well. Think Variety!

For more information on food and nutrition, contact Dr. Mario V. Capanzana, Director, Food and Nutrition Research Institute, Department of Science and Technology, General Santos Avenue, Bicutan, Taguig City, Telephone/Fax No. 837-2934,837-3164; 837-20-71 loc. 2287, 837-8113 loc. 328 email: mvc@fnri.dost.gov.ph, FNRI-DOST website: www.fnri.dost.gov.ph. (Ma. Idelia G. Glorioso, FNRI-DOST S & T Media Service/PIA-Caraga)

Image Credit: www.heraldsun.com.au