We've read terrifying things about the effects soda has on our bodies—and what Diet Coke, in particular, does to our teeth—over the years, but only now are chain restaurants beginning to the boot the syrupy stuff from kids' menus. 

According to their parent company, DineEquity, Applebee's and IHOP are both taking soda off the menus they offer to children; though the drinks will still be available upon request, of course. These restaurants join the ranks of Wendy's, McDonald's, Burger King, Dairy Queen, Subway, and Panera—all of which have removed the sweet, carbonated drinks from their kids' menus. 

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"Soda and other sugary drinks promote diabetes, obesity, tooth decay, and even heart disease, and a kids' menu is no place for disease-promoting drinks," Center for Science in the Public Interest nutrition policy counsel Jessica Almy wrote in a release. "Responsible restaurants are on the fast track toward making soda for kids a thing of the past." 

Though this change doesn't entirely guarantee a healthier meal. As Eater points out, IHOP's "Funny Face" chocolate-chip pancakes for children contains 21 grams of sugar (more than 5 teaspoons' worth) and 1,090 milligrams of sodium on top of the 480-calorie count. And at Applebee's, things are even worse: Two mini cheeseburgers clock in with 680 calories and 1,570 milligrams of sodium. To each his own, we guess.

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