TJ's Drive-In takes a healthy turn

Now offering children a clear healthy option to burgers, fries and a soda, TJ's Drive-In was the first South County restaurant to partner with the Healthy Kids Choice program run by Shasta County Public Health, said Ereka Rambur, registered dietician.

The average American eats out at restaurants four to five times each week, Rambur said, adding that children usually consume twice as many calories when eating out than at home. Obesity affects one in three Shasta County children aged 5-19 years, she added.

TJ's now offers a turkey and cheese sandwich on whole wheat with a fruit cup or carrot sticks with ranch and a low-fat milk or bottled water as a healthy option, Rambur said.

To assist the restaurant in making the change, the county agency printed posters and a kids menu for participating restaurants. The restaurants are also handing out frisbees when children order the healthy option, and they also get a chance to win a new bike throughout March, which Rambur called "National Nutrition Month."

"They put everything together for us. It was awesome,"Sandi Carter, the restaurant owner of 32 years said.

Aside from drawing attention to the healthy menu items, the information "helps parents or young children to recognize that this is a healthy choice," Rambur said.

TJ's Drive-In is located at 2940 West Center St. in Anderson. The Healthy Kids Choice program is sponsored by Healthy Shasta and by Network for a Healthy California.