Table 4 Categories for coding open-ended responses about healthier sides and beverages with children’s restaurant meals
Categories | Sample responses |
|---|---|
For children who would be happy about the F/V alternative: | |
1. Liking/taste. Included the following: | |
I like the taste of fruits and vegetables | “I LIKE FRUIT AND VEGGIES” |
I like the taste of fruits | “I love fruit! More than French fries” |
I like the taste of vegetables | “I like a lot of vegetables” |
I don’t like/don’t prefer French fries | “do not like fries” |
2. Health: Fruits and vegetables are healthy | “THE DOCTOR SAID IT WAS GOOD FOR ME AND MY DADDY SAID IT TOO” |
3. Choice: I want choices/variety | “I would get to try something new” |
4. Treat: Fruits and vegetables are a treat | “I like fruit and I can eat French fries at other times” |
5. Habit: Child typically eats fruits/vegetables | “because i eat them all the time and like them” |
6. Other | “because i don’t really care what side i get” |
7. Don’t know | “sure” |
For children who would be unhappy about the F/V alternative: | |
1. Liking/taste. Included the following: | |
I like French fries | “fries taste better” |
I don’t like/don’t prefer fruit | “i don’t like fruit and fruit juice and i only like a few veggies” |
I don’t like/don’t prefer vegetables | “I don’t like vegetables” |
Other | “I only like some common fruits and only carrots for vegetables.” |
2. Choice: I want to have choices | “I would like to have all of them.” |
3. Treat: French fries are a treat | “I love French fries and I don’t get to eat them at home, so I would be upset.” |
4. Habit: French fries are what I’m used to | “because when i go out to eat i like to get fries!” |
5. Other | “i wouldn’t care” |
6. Don’t know | “I want my fries” |
For children who would be happy about the beverage alternative: | |
1. Liking/taste. Included the following: | |
I like milk | “i love milk” |
I like flavored milk | “i like chocolate milk” |
I like water | “I like to drink water” |
I like flavored water | “I like flavored water” |
I do not like/prefer soda or pop | “because i don’t like soda” |
Other | “I would rather have juice” |
2. Choice: I want to try something different | “try something new” |
3. Habit: Child does not drink soda/soda not allowed | “I grew up not drinking soda.” |
4. Other | “it is okay to have only water” |
5. Don’t know | “Nice” |
For children who would be unhappy about the beverage alternative: | |
1. Liking/taste. Included the following: | |
I like soda | “Soda is my favorite” |
I do not like milk | “I hate milk.” |
I do not like water | “i do not like milk or water” (also coded as “I do not like milk”) |
I do not like flavored water | “... flavored water makes me feel sick” |
Other | “I like to drink sweet tea with my food.” |
2. Treat: Soda is a treat | “mom doesn’t buy coke at home so I like to get it when we go out.” |
3. Habit: child typically drinks soda | “i always get soda at a restaurant” |
4. Other | “I rather eat at home if I have to eat veggies and drink milk” |
5. Don’t know | “because I want soda” |