PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Dr. Natalie Greaves-Peters, Researcher at Laurie M. Tisch Center For Food, Education, and Policy on INT 641
2:46:34
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92 sec
Dr. Natalie Greaves-Peters, a researcher and registered dietitian nutritionist, expresses strong support for INT 641, which aims to ensure healthier kids' meals in NYC restaurants. She highlights the current lack of nutritious options on children's menus and the importance of providing healthier choices for families dining out.
- Dr. Greaves-Peters shares her personal experience as a parent facing limited healthy options when dining out with her daughter.
- She cites research showing that children consume nearly twice as many calories at restaurants compared to meals at home.
- The proposed legislation would require restaurants to offer healthier kids' meal options including fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.
Dr. Natalie Greaves-Peters
2:46:34
Good afternoon.
2:46:35
My name is doctor Natalie Graves Peters, and I'm a researcher with the Laurie M.
2:46:38
Tisch Center For Feud Education and Policy.
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I'm also a registered dietitian nutritionist.
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I've worked in many of the communities that are represented here today.
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I have a PhD in behavioral nutrition and also a parent to a 70 year old daughter who loves great food.
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Today, I'm here to express my strong support for, INT 60641, which is a critical step towards ensuring healthier kids' meals in restaurants across our city.
2:47:02
When dining out with my daughter, we avoid kids' menus not because of cost, but because they are almost always the same predictable options.
2:47:09
These meals are not only repetitive, but also lack the fruits, vegetables, and whole grains that children need.
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And as a result, we order from the regular menu only to face oversized portions that are inappropriate for children.
2:47:21
This is not just my family's experience.
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Research shows that children consume nearly twice as many calories at restaurants compared to meals at home, with most kids' meals being high in calories, salt, and fat.
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Parents like me are left with limited, unhealthy choices when dining out.
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By supporting INT 0641, the council can make a great difference.
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This legislation would ensure that restaurants offer healthier kids' meal options that includes fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, providing families with choices that promote growth, health, and well-being.
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It's a necessary step to empower parents and shift the culture around eating out.
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As both a nutrition professional and a parent, I urge you to vote in favor of this bill to help make healthy eating the default for New York City's children.
2:48:04
Thank you for your leadership and the opportunity.
