I just have to air my disappointment with some of the children’s menus I have come across when eating out…both at sit down restaurants and at fast food places. While there are several places that have some decent options (and I appreciate that!), it drives me crazy that the prevalent assumption is that my child will only eat corn dogs, cheeseburgers, chicken fingers, and French fries.
I know there are plenty of picky kids out there, and I don’t see a problem for those things to be options for kids and parents who choose that. My problem is when those are the ONLY options. Theoretically, what our kids eat should be HEALTHIER than what we eat, since they are growing and developing, yet kids’ menus rarely reflect that.
Most people struggle with getting their kids to enjoy healthy foods, and I think the key is repeated exposure. There are plenty of things that Gabby refuses, but it is very rare that she doesn’t eventually learn to like a food when it is offered repeatedly. I think research has shown that it can take up to 10 attempts before a child begins to enjoy eating a food that has been previously rejected, and that most kids do in fact change their minds after it has been offered repeatedly. I don’t know if you guys have found that to be true with your own kids, but that has definitely been the case with Gabby.
I’m not a nazi about what Gabby eats; I just try to make sure she eats balanced meals, that we offer a variety of types of foods, and that if there are multiple options (ie: brown vs. white rice), that I choose the better option. I don’t mind the occasional treat, and Gabby definitely loves her some French fries, ice cream, chips, and cookies. She just doesn’t eat those things on a regular basis. If she did, I have a feeling that she would be a lot less eager about the foods we usually give her.
Gabby is a great eater…she loves vegetables, fruits, whole wheat bread and pasta, soup, oatmeal, seafood…most things, really. I am sure part of that is that we were blessed with an un-fussy eater, and part of it is that we have worked hard to incorporate lots of good foods into her diet. I am guessing it is a combination of nature vs. nurture…so I am definitely not saying that for those of you with picky kids, that it is because you didn’t try hard enough.
So this brings up my issue with restaurant food. So many families eat out as much as they eat in. When kids are limited to all those “kid foods” when dining out, and they eat out frequently, kids are a lot less likely to develop healthy eating habits. And with childhood obesity being such a huge problem now, I really wish that more restaurants would make a point to include some better options for kids besides the normal “kid food.”
There are hardly ANY restaurants out there where I cannot find a healthy option on the adult menu, so I have the choice about the quality of food I am eating. Which is not to say that I always make the best choices, but at least the choice is there. Since what our kids eat is so important, there should ALWAYS be some good choices for kids as well. It should be EASY for us to feed our kids good food, right?
What are your thoughts on this? And what are some restaurants you have found to have some really good options on the kids’ menu?
**and I realize it might sound hypocritical for someone with a weight problem to get so worked up over this, but that is precisely why it is important to me. I spend a lot of time thinking about how I can give Gabby the best foundation possible so she develops healthy habits.
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2 comments:
I could not agree more...very frustrating trying to eat out with kids. And I'm with you on all your points on teaching kids good eating habits young...I do feed Sam better than I eat sometimes because it's easy at this age. (I sneak french fries and don't let Sam have them.) They only know about the things that they've been offered to eat. I'm amazed sometimes to see what people feed kids...well-meaning, intelligent people...I just think they must not understand what a big deal it is to teach healthy eating habits. To me, it's up there with teaching appropriate behavior. But, I can see how easy it would be to fall into bad habits...sometimes Sam just. does. not. want to eat what we've served him. (He's always served what we are eating as a family...no special "kid" food.) And sometimes there are days in a row that he doesn't eat well. I always start to worry about him not eating...I want to give him vitamins, make something different, etc. and I think that's how it starts. John always reminds me that no child has ever become malnourished by not eating a balanced meal for a few days. And when he finally gets hungry, he'll eat what we serve him...the same meal I cook for all of us. But, I can only imagine that this worry is magnified with a child who is picky (Sam's usually not). This is such a hot button issue with me...I've had many conversations with John about how frustrating it is to see what people feed kids, the advertising for kid foods, and to see the options out there on kids menus. My contribution to the solution (just in case you care, or were wondering)...I think that all pediatricians should be required to have a nutritionist on staff that meets with parents at every well check...because I think education is the key to solving the childhood obesity problem. I don't think many parents understand the lifelong habits they are forming for their chidren in these early years. Just think how much it would help to meet with a nutritionist at every well check who asks detailed questions about the child's diet, gives information, and answers questions about food and eating habits.
Okay...so sorry for the extended comment.
But, AMEN SISTA!
Oh, and places to eat...many times I feed Sam from my plate or order a la carte for him, but that gets expensive.
We don't eat dinner out much with Sam, but I do go out to lunch with my dad a lot.
We like Cindi's NY Deli the best. I also just went to Olive Garden for the first time today in years...they had a grilled chicken breast, pasta and broccoli meal for kids, and their fettucine could be ordered with whole wheat pasta! We will go back there!
Awesome comment, Jennifer- thanks for writing it!
I read an article a friend had posted from the NY times that said many parents have the misconception that it is their job to get their kids to eat. In reality, their job is to serve their kids a variety of healthy foods and expose them to different things. I remind myself of that during the times when Gabby barely eats, to keep myself from hunting for something I know she will eat. Common sense...she won't wither and die when there is perfectly good food in front of her.
And yeah, us too with family meals...we never fix special food for her. And a bonus is we have begun eating healthier as a result because I ALWAYS make sure the meal is balanced and has nutritional value, where were not always so consistent before.
I love the nutritionist idea. And I agree that education is the key to solving the problem...I also think convenience plays a huge role. It needs to be just as easy and convenient to eat healthy as it is to eat junk.
Thanks for the Olive Garden tip. We hardly ever eat there, but that is exactly the type of thing that will be an incentive for us to go! Dream Cafe has one of the best kids menus I have seen...I wish we lived closer to one.
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