--- title: "Fries vs. Fruit: Helping Students Make Better Fast Food Choices" description: Educating students on the importance of making healthy food choices consistently. image: https://www.extendednotes.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/fries_vs_fruit-2__800x400.jpg --- # Fries vs. Fruit: Helping Students Make Better Fast Food Choices November 16 - [Home](https://www.extendednotes.com/) - [Articles](https://www.extendednotes.com/blog) - Fries vs. Fruit: Helping Students Make Better Fast Food Choices Share this Post [mailto:?subject=Sharing%20a%20blog%20post;body=Check%20out%20this%20ExtendED%20Notes%20blog%20post:%20https://www.extendednotes.com/blog/after-school-articles/fries-vs.-fruit-helping-students-make-better-fast-food-choices](mailto:?subject=Sharing%20a%20blog%20post;body=Check%20out%20this%20ExtendED%20Notes%20blog%20post:%20https://www.extendednotes.com/blog/after-school-articles/fries-vs.-fruit-helping-students-make-better-fast-food-choices) [Program Development ](https://www.extendednotes.com/blog/tag/program-development) [Physical Activity ](https://www.extendednotes.com/blog/tag/physical-activity) [Leadership & Professional Development ](https://www.extendednotes.com/blog/tag/leadership-professional-development) ![Fries vs fruit-2](https://www.extendednotes.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/fries_vs_fruit-2__800x400.jpg) ## The Prevalence of Fast Food in Diets   While some fast food restaurants have introduced healthier kids’ meal options, many restaurants continue to provide high-calorie, nutritionally poor menu options that have harmful effects on students’ diets.   > “*Take care of your body. It’s the only place you have to live.*” -Jim Rohn   Today’s children and youth are hooked on fast food. According to the latest [Fast Food FACTS](http://www.fastfoodmarketing.org/), 33% of children and 41% of teens consume fast food every day. While some fast food restaurants have introduced healthier kids’ meal options, many restaurants continue to provide high-calorie, nutritionally poor menu options that have harmful effects on students’ diets.   The [Alliance for a Healthier Generation](https://www.healthiergeneration.org/) has some tips that students – and adults – can follow for better fast-food choices. Share the following tips with the families in your program to promote healthier food options:   - For a healthier main course, order baked, broiled or grilled chicken. - Avoid sandwiches with fried or breaded chicken. - Ask for a whole-wheat bun or bread, which often has more fiber than white. Also, pack your sandwich with tomato, lettuce and onion to get more vegetables into your diet. - Pass on sides such as fries or onion rings for a healthier alternative, like a side salad or fruit. - Skip that carbonated soda for water, juice or milk. For more on the Alliance for a Healthier Generation and ideas for promoting health and wellness in your program, go to [http://www.healthiergeneration.org](http://www.healthiergeneration.org/). #### Article Categories ![afterschool advocacy icon](https://www.extendednotes.com/hubfs/ExtendED%20Notes%20Blog/afterschool%20advocacy%20icon.svg) After School Advocacy ![bullying safety icon](https://www.extendednotes.com/hubfs/ExtendED%20Notes%20Blog/bullying%20safety%20icon.svg) Bullying and Safety ![leadership icon](https://www.extendednotes.com/hubfs/ExtendED%20Notes%20Blog/leadership%20icon.svg) Leadership & Professional Development ![parental engagement icon](https://www.extendednotes.com/hubfs/ExtendED%20Notes%20Blog/parental%20engagement%20icon.svg) Parental Engagement ![physical activity icon](https://www.extendednotes.com/hubfs/ExtendED%20Notes%20Blog/physical%20activity%20icon.svg) Physical Activity ![program development icon](https://www.extendednotes.com/hubfs/ExtendED%20Notes%20Blog/program%20development%20icon.svg) Program Development ![social emotional learning icon](https://www.extendednotes.com/hubfs/ExtendED%20Notes%20Blog/social%20emotional%20learning%20icon.svg) Social-Emotional Learning ![stem icon](https://www.extendednotes.com/hubfs/ExtendED%20Notes%20Blog/stem%20icon.svg) STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) ![teaching strategies icon](https://www.extendednotes.com/hubfs/ExtendED%20Notes%20Blog/teaching%20strategies%20icon.svg) Teaching Strategies ![extended notes fb page banner](https://www.extendednotes.com/hs-fs/hubfs/ExtendED%20Notes%20Blog/extended%20notes%20fb%20page%20banner.png?width=342&height=130&name=extended%20notes%20fb%20page%20banner.png) [Follow Page ](https://www.facebook.com/385747254841303?ref=embed_page) ![ExtendedNotes_Logo_Knowledge Base-01](https://www.extendednotes.com/hs-fs/hubfs/ExtendedNotes_Logo_Knowledge%20Base-01.jpg?width=300&height=300&name=ExtendedNotes_Logo_Knowledge%20Base-01.jpg) ExtendED Notes 974 followers Connect with us to get the latest Articles & Insights. ## Related Articles ![related post image](https://www.extendednotes.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/veggies_800x400__800x400.jpeg?width=352&name=veggies_800x400__800x400.jpeg) #### What You Need to Know About the NAA HEPA Standards for OST Programs High-quality after-school programs have evolved to support whole-child development, teaching... 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[Program Development ](https://www.extendednotes.com/blog/tag/program-development) [Physical Activity ](https://www.extendednotes.com/blog/tag/physical-activity) ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "ExtendEDNotes", "url" : "https://www.extendednotes.com/blog/author/extendednotes" }, "dateModified" : "2025-04-17T16:12:05.895Z", "datePublished" : "2015-11-16T05:00:00.000Z", "headline" : "Fries vs. Fruit: Helping Students Make Better Fast Food Choices", "image" : [ "https://www.extendednotes.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/fries_vs_fruit-2__800x400.jpg" ], "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://www.extendednotes.com/blog/after-school-articles/fries-vs.-fruit-helping-students-make-better-fast-food-choices", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://www.extendednotes.com/hubfs/KELC/Branding/KELC%20Logos/extended%20notes%20logo%20vector.svg" }, "name" : "Kaplan Early Learning Company" } } ```