Cafés Roll Out Affordable Kids’ Meals Amid Cost of Living Crisis

Popular cafés are responding to the ongoing cost of living crisis by offering extremely affordable meals aimed at children. In an effort to attract families, establishments such as Ikea and Dunnes Stores have introduced low-cost meal options, with prices starting as low as €0.95.

At the Ballymun store in Dublin, Ikea is advertising children’s meals that include pasta with tomato sauce for €0.95 and vegan nuggets for €1.95. Similarly, Dunnes Stores is providing a €2 meal option at its café on Henry Street, which features choices like sausages, chicken nuggets, or pizza, accompanied by chips and vegetables, along with a Freddo chocolate bar and a juice box.

Fast-food chain Eddie Rockets has also gained traction with its “Kids Eat Free Tuesdays” promotion. Launched in 2022, this initiative allows parents to receive a complimentary kids’ meal with each adult meal purchased. A spokesperson noted that this offer has become increasingly popular as families seek budget-friendly dining options.

The design of these menus has been tailored to suit children, with smaller portions and healthier alternatives, such as mashed potatoes instead of fries. Eddie Rockets highlights that its meals focus on balanced nutrition while still appealing to younger palates.

Nutritionists have raised concerns about the nutritional quality of these low-cost meals. According to Sandra Wilkinson, a registered dietitian and spokesperson for the Irish Nutrition and Dietetics Institute, many kids’ meals are inexpensive to produce yet often high in fat, salt, and sugar. While she acknowledges that many parents provide nutritious meals at home, she warns that regular consumption of unhealthy options can influence children’s food preferences over time.

Wilkinson stated, “It’s very hard for parents. There is a cost of living crisis, and it is cheaper, unfortunately, to make unhealthy food choices. My biggest issue is that it normalizes those food choices for children.”

Nutrition Concerns and Industry Analysis

A recent study conducted by the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) evaluated kids’ meals from 84 Dublin restaurants. The findings revealed that a typical chicken nuggets and chips meal contained an alarming 900 calories, which exceeds the recommended daily caloric intake for a three-year-old and accounts for over 40% of the intake for a twelve-year-old.

The analysis did not include meals from international fast-food chains or smaller cafés, focusing instead on hotel restaurants, pubs, and takeaways. It found that meals like chicken nuggets and chips averaged over 2 grams of salt, surpassing the daily salt limit for young children. Some meals, such as sausage and chips, reached salt levels of 4.6 grams, which is 150% of the recommended limit for a six-year-old.

The FSAI has called upon the food service industry to provide smaller portion sizes for younger children and to prioritize healthier meal options as default choices. Restaurant owners reported that chicken nuggets and chips remain the most popular kids’ meal option, with over 90% of outlets serving chips, most of which are deep-fried.

The same analysis indicated that meals such as burgers with chips or chicken curry often exceeded 1,000 calories, while pasta with sauce remained under 500 calories. The salt content was consistently above 2.5 grams across various meal options.

Addressing Childhood Obesity

The FSAI has expressed concern regarding the rising trend of children consuming meals from the food service sector, which is contributing to deteriorating diet quality. Currently, nearly one in five children in Ireland is classified as overweight or obese.

Wilkinson suggests that parents dining out should steer clear of fried foods and aim to incorporate fruits and vegetables into every meal. She also recommends that parents consider ordering smaller portions from the regular menu instead of opting for the typically unhealthy children’s offerings.

“One of the things we don’t do very well in Ireland is encourage our children to eat the same foods as us,” Wilkinson explained. “Ensuring children consume enough fruits and vegetables is probably the biggest aspect where Irish parents struggle with their children’s diets.”

Both Dunnes Stores and Ikea did not respond to requests for comment regarding their initiatives.

As these cafés and restaurants continue to adapt their offerings in response to economic pressures, the impact on children’s health and dietary habits remains a critical concern for parents and health experts alike.