[Giselle]

http://www.latimes.com/health/os-dar...tory?track=rss

You want fries with that?

That's a question servers at Red Lobster, Olive Garden and other Darden chains won't be asking kids as the Orlando-based company moves toward a healthier menu.

The world's largest casual-dining company on Thursday enlisted in Michelle Obama's campaign to help young people lose weight and won the First Lady's praise.
The changes go beyond what children get to eat. Across all its offerings, Darden plans to cut calories and salt by 10 percent over five years and by 20 percent over a decade through tinkering with recipes, cutting portions, removing some fatty or salt-laden foods and adding healthier fare.

Children's meals will come with sides of fruit or vegetables and 1 percent milk unless an adult requests a substitute. Sodas and fries will not be listed on the menus, but in most cases can be requested.

First off - I didn't even know Olive Garden served french fries (or Red Lobster). Secondly, if you go to Olive Garden's FB page you would think that we just lost our right to life or something! People seem really ticked off - even though you can still get french fries for your kids. Some people are saying "This is government intrusion!"

When did Michelle Obama become part of our government? I wasn't aware that the First Lady had any authority or was part of a branch of government. Did someone make a new branch and add it to the Constitution? Other First Ladies have had causes. I think some people want to politicize everything - and who goes to an Italian restaurant for french fries? The owner of the businesses didn't HAVE to change the menu but McDonald's and other eateries have been changing the kids' menus for awhile now. The owner of Darden went to Michelle for help.

Basically if people don't like it, don't eat at OG or Red Lobster but no one is taking away their ability to choose food for their children.