Cape Town - Eating out may be seen as a treat, but it could pose health risks for many due to the high salt content of restaurant food.
A popular South African restaurant chain is revamping its children's menu to include lean meat wraps, vegetable bakes and replacing French fries with sweet potato.
In its new menu, dubbed “Better For You Kids Menu”, Spur Steak Ranches said it had not only reduced salt content, but had revamped its beverage choices, replacing fizzy drinks with more healthy options such as milk, fruit juices and water.
At a menu-tasting event attended by media, parents and children, the restaurant chain showcased some meals designed to make vegetables more appealing to children.
Spur chief executive Pierre van Tonder said the establishment would no longer be offering up-sized meals or beverages in a bid to discourage overeating, which resulted in obesity.
“We want to give our customers the opportunity to improve their diet by swapping for instance chips with options such as salads or veggies and milk instead of fizzy drinks.”
In a recent study commissioned by the Heart and Stroke Foundation which surveyed fast food franchises, the country was ranked in the top 10 of countries with the highest salt content. This high salt content posed health risks.
Cape Argus