When it comes to transfat content in meals, schools cafeterias may be a safer option.
But teens are especially susceptible to fast food temptations down the street from the school yard.
It is why CTV News decided to visit four fast food outlets located around local high schools, and buy the type meal that kids would typically purchase.
It sent the meals to a laboratory to have their transfat content analyzed.
This survey is part of a CTV News series on transfats, the industrial made fats primarily used to increase the shelf life of food.
Some of the results proved to be reassuring.
For example, the total transfat content in KFC chicken strips and french fries, A&W french fries and chicken nugget meals was low.
But there were also concerns.
In a healthy meal, transfats should not be more then five per cent of the total saturated fat content of the food.
Although each of the items from a Burger King restaurant may not contain a lot of transfats--when combined in a meal--french fries, chicken tenders and apple turnover contained a total of 5.48% transfats
And McDonalds topped out at a whopping 6.95% transfats for their one small baked apple pies.
"I suspect that the numbers are lower than thery were a few several years ago,'' said Vancouver dietician Patricia Chuey.
"Not surprsingly, these foods still contain transfats to a degree that are worth thinking about or possibly even worrying about,'' she said.
The survey indicates that if kids eat regularly at fast food joints, they need to be looking at alternatives.
But if parents can't help young people resist the lure of fast food, the hope is to at least help them make better choices.
Meanwhile, Health Canada has given the food industry until 2009 to reduce their transfat content to the lowest possible levels.
If they don't do this, the government says it will regulate their reduction.
With a report by CTV British Columbia's Dr. Rhonda Low.
