Kids menus in restaurants

Great article....something to think about. Just what are your kids eating when you all eat out together? How can you change it? Any ideas? What are people doing on that front?

Link

Thu. May 31, 9:35am

We don't eat out often and when we do, it's usually at a local Italian place so they have a kids portion of spaghetti. The last time we were there, I was thrilled to see that management had finally cut back on the dessert portion. They used to serve a huge bowl of ice cream, it was more than an adult should eat and I nicely said something to the waiter/waitress every time.

I try to avoid places that don't offer anything but fries on the side and if it's fries only, I ask for one side to be split between both kids. It's usually still too much so we quickly take some off of the plate (they are too hot, let's take some off so they cool) and then put a napkin over the extras. :) I do the same if they order something like Chicken Fingers... if they bring out 4 huge ones, I'll take 2 off.

I hate wasting food but I don't like letting my kids eat too much of something bad even more. Taking it home isn't an option because I don't see how spreading it out over 2 days is different from letting them eat it all at once.

Thursday, May 31, 2007, 11:02 AM

We have found that restaurants that serve adults items are usually willing to incorporate them into a kids menu. A good example is Red Robin which will allow you to order a grilled chicken breast, rice and broccoli or celery for my kid and charges me a kid price for it! My kids actually prefer this meal to the other grease laden items. We choose places that offer something other than fries as well or just ask for ourselves (because we too could do without the fries) and then apply it to them.

Thursday, May 31, 2007, 11:23 AM

We don't go out to eat often but I am with you all, I honestly cannot stand the processed foods on the kiddie menu.

My youngest child has a few severe food allergies and some mild ones as well so we have to be VERY careful with what he eats.

I have 4 children so what we usually do is order 4 adult entres, one for each parent and 2 to split between the children, and then ask for 2 extra plates.

We then divide the 2 entres for the kids between each of them. Ususlly we get a fish or chicken dish and a pasta dish and then give each child a bit of each main entre and a bit of the sides (veggies typically or mashed sweet potato...etc).

For drinks, they usually have something non-carbonated (I don't allow soda, period) either water or 100% juice. We always pass on desert because just about EVERY dessert has dairy, soy, nuts or eggs in it and my food allergy child would be sitting watching everyone else enjoy their goodie without him.

Thursday, May 31, 2007, 3:27 PM

Oh, and I wanted to add that as far as price is concerned, sometimes it's cheaper to do the adult entres for kids and split them between the kids.

Thursday, May 31, 2007, 3:30 PM

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