These Are the Healthiest and Unhealthiest Fast-Food Kids' Meals

According to The American Heart Association, kids between 4 and 8 years old should eat approximately 1200-1400 calories per day, while 9- through 13-year-olds should eat 1600-1800. (The recommendations vary based on height, weight, and other factors, of course.) While we would love to stick to those guidelines and feed our children healthy food all the time, it's not always possible—especially on the go. But a trip through the drive-thru doesn't have to mean filling up on French fries. Many notoriously unhealthy restaurants have actually made very positive changes to their menus.

We rounded up the healthiest (and unhealthiest) menu options at seven popular fast-food chains. While our selections are based primarily on the number of calories per meal, we've included links to the full breakdown of nutritional information.

McDonald's

Healthiest Meal: 280 calories

Chicken McNuggets, apple dippers, and apple juice

Unhealthiest Meal: 540 calories

Cheeseburger, fries, and chocolate milk

Read the additional nutritional information.

Dairy Queen

 

Healthiest Meal: 360 calories

Kid's grilled chicken wrap, banana, water bottle

Unhealthiest Meal: 900 calories

Hamburger, fries, milk, and kid's ice cream cone

Read the additional nutritional information.

KFC

 

Healthiest Meal: 205 calories

Grilled drumstick, green beans, apple sauce, and Capri Sun.

Unhealthiest Meal: 650 calories

Chicken Little, mac 'n cheese, apple sauce, and 1% milk.Read the additional nutritional information.

Wendy's

 

 

Healthiest Meal: 295 calories

Chicken nuggets, apple slices, and low-fat milk

Unhealthiest Meal: 650 calories

Cheeseburger, fries, and chocolate milkRead the additional nutritional information

Chick-fil-A

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Healthiest Meal: 205 calories

Grilled nuggets, milk, and a fruit cup

Unhealthiest Meal: 700 calories

Chicken strips, chocolate milk, and fries

Read the additional nutritional information.