Kids love eating out! And it's usually because eating out means they get to indulge in treats that they wouldn't usually get at home. Restaurants encourage happy children by creating a special menu with child-friendly options like mac and cheese or chicken nuggets. While the child's menu can eliminate the mealtime squabbles, there are a few reasons why I think you should avoid it:
1) It Sends the Message that Kid Food is Different from Adult Food
Children are not a different species and they should be eating real food like the rest of us. The main menu will usually have several different options, which will include meat, fish, beans, vegetables, salads and carbohydrates. While the kids' menu items tend to be a lot simpler and often not a balanced meal e.g. cheese pizza or French fries. So for the picky eater this confirms what they probably already believe that kid food is different from adult food. The more adventurous ones on the other hand, may limit themselves to the bland offerings just because it the menu was in front of them.
While some children “grow out of it” and become open to a wider variety of foods when they get older, many picky children become picky adults. So it is important to keep in mind the long-term habits that you are trying to instill in your kids.
2) The Kids Menu options are usually devoid of nutrients.
Children are more susceptible to illness than adults because of their developing immune, digestive and other systems. So we should be supporting their growing bodies with nourishing foods full of the necessary macronutrients- proteins, complex carbohydrates and healthy fats as well as antioxidants and micronutrients from fruits and vegetables. Children's menu items tend to be focused on refined carbohydrates such as grilled cheese or protein that is often deep-fried such as chicken tenders. If there are vegetable alternatives, they are limited or masked by a cheese sauce.
Help your children to choose more nutritious options from the main menu. Teach them to look out for whether foods are grilled or fried and the importance of having some greens on their plate. Ultimately they will learn that they can enjoy a meal out even if it's not “junk”.
3) Eliminates the opportunity to teach the kids flexibility
The one complaint I get from most parents about their children's eating habits is that they only like a limited selection of foods - their “safe” foods. Many are unwilling to try foods that are unfamiliar to them, unless it's dessert of course! And some only eat certain shapes of pasta or certain brands or jam or peanut butter. But eating out is a great opportunity to teach children flexibility. Treat the outing as an adventure and exploring new and unfamiliar foods is part of the experience. Help children to know what to expect with new foods by describing textures and flavours and even comparing them to other familiar foods. Encourage them to connect with the food through all of their senses - seeing all of the colours, detecting what they can smell and noticing the textures. And even if in the end they do not enjoy the new foods, praise them for trying and discuss what they did not like about the dish.
Instead of the children's menu, have your children choose something from the main menu. Even if they choose a “safe” food, as part of the adventure of eating out you can encourage them to try something from your plate. Also, instead of each person ordering their own entrée, order a few different things and eat family style. You can still allow each person to choose one option to make sure everyone is happy with at least one dish on the table. And it's fine to even have dessert, but often the dessert portions are quite large, so these can definitely be shared. This way everyone gets to enjoy the treat but no one over indulges.
While eating out as a family can have its challenges, it is a great way to expose your children to new foods. Plus it creates a wonderful opportunity to teach social skills and table manners while spending quality time together.