Washington—The National Restaurant Association recently unveiled what it is describing as a major modernization of its Kids LiveWell initiative that makes it easier for caregivers and children to choose “better-for-you” means when dining out.

The update to the program, originally launched in 2011, is intended to bring the Kids LiveWell participation requirements in line with today’s nutrition science.

Restaurant operators with qualifying meals and sides certified by Kids LiveWell are validated by an approved third-party registered dietitian.

One of the changes to the Kids LiveWell criteria is changing the type of dairy products allowed. Kids LiveWell (KLW) 2.0 removes 2 percent milk, shifting to 1 percent and nonfat milk varieties only, following recommendations that kids consume more reducedfat dairy products.

KLW 2.0 includes a requirement for a default beverage policy for kids’ menus. This includes: flavored or unflavored nonfat or lowfat (1 percent) dairy milk or non-dairy beverage that is nutritionally equivalent to fluid milk (i.e., soy beverage) in a serving size of eight ounces or less; and/ or water with no added natural or artificial sweeteners; and/or 100 percent fruit or vegetable juice, or fruit and/or vegetable juice combined with water or carbonated water, with no added natural or artificial sweeteners, in a serving size of eight ounces or less.

KLW omits the total fat criterion because expert groups concluded that limiting saturated fat and trans fat intake is more important for positively impacting health; reducing sodium threshold: KLW 2.0 reduces the sodium threshold, for both meals and sides, from 770 milligrams to 700 milligrams for meals and from 250 milligrams to 225 milligrams for sides; replacing total sugars criterion with an added sugars one: KLW 2.0 shifts sugar from a maximum of 35 percent calories from total sugar criterion (2011) to a maximum of 15 grams added sugar for meals and five grams added sugar for side dishes.