The Irish Hotels Federation is to introduce new menu guidelines for its members in an effort to promote healthy eating and to tackle childhood obesity.
The Federation is to provide chefs in hotels and guesthouses with advice on how to offer more nutritious meals for parents and their children.
Irish hotels and guesthouses will prepare more than five million meals for children this year according to the IHF.
It says this is a significant opportunity to promote healthy eating among their younger guests.
The voluntary guidelines state that there should be an increase of whole-wheat and oats on menus, less fried foods, and the inclusion of meats that are nutritious and not processed.
An alternative to fizzy drinks should also be provided.
The IHF represents 1,000 members and it says a substantial number of them are to sign up to the scheme, which is to be rolled out from May 2008.
