Usually on this blog I talk about options on this blog that kid will eat- the not-as-messy options, the sneaky a la carte options, the perennial grilled cheese that is everyone's favorite.
But there is a trend on many kid's menus, including the ones mentioned here. I've talked about my philosophy before here, that going out is a treat and Foodie Baby can have whatever he (or Daddy or another family member) wants to offer him, within reason.
But with certainty, many restaurant kid's menu's offer fried, breaded, sugary options that may not be the same healthy options tried to serve at home.
I'm not going to say it is wrong for restaurants to offer these, and I'm not going to say that every restaurant offers a bad option) or a few.
The question today is,
Is there anything you will not allow your child to order?
We're not talking allergies, that is a completely different matter.
We're talking the meals or options you won't let your toddler eat when out.
Perhaps you won't let them have juice, only milk or water. Perhaps no fries? Perhaps no butter on the grilled cheese (a personal favorite, we'll talk about that some other time).
Let's talk. What is on the forbidden menu?
Showing posts with label ordering for your child. Show all posts
Showing posts with label ordering for your child. Show all posts
Sunday, May 15, 2011
Sunday, April 3, 2011
Foodie Baby's Mexican tip
Foodie Baby
Growing up, my mommy always mixed up her beans and rice when eating Mexican food. Her friend, who had a Mexican family, teased her for eating it the wrong way. She didn't care- she though beans and rice were delicious together.
I do too! She always mixes my beans and rice for me so I can scoop it all up in my spoon. Yum!
Mommy
As long as your child can handle the refried beans and rice they serve, mixing them together makes it easier to eat both.
I've also been to restaurants that serve blank beans and different kinds of rice- I say mash the black beans up and mix them in!
Always taste test if your little one is sensitive to spices- I've been surprised at the spiciness of some rice being served! But putting in beans also helps with that as well.
Beans, rice and cheese can also be scooped in a tortilla to make a little burrito if someone is having fajitas as well.
Growing up, my mommy always mixed up her beans and rice when eating Mexican food. Her friend, who had a Mexican family, teased her for eating it the wrong way. She didn't care- she though beans and rice were delicious together.
I do too! She always mixes my beans and rice for me so I can scoop it all up in my spoon. Yum!
Mommy
As long as your child can handle the refried beans and rice they serve, mixing them together makes it easier to eat both.
I've also been to restaurants that serve blank beans and different kinds of rice- I say mash the black beans up and mix them in!
Always taste test if your little one is sensitive to spices- I've been surprised at the spiciness of some rice being served! But putting in beans also helps with that as well.
Beans, rice and cheese can also be scooped in a tortilla to make a little burrito if someone is having fajitas as well.
Sunday, November 21, 2010
Plan their dinner ahead and make life easier
Foodie Baby
Mommy often gives me the bread off the table or some snack she packed in my diaper bag when we go out to dinner when she orders off the menu for me.
I also eat the crayons that everyone gives me. She said she doesn't understand why they think little babies would want crayons, except at Macaroni Grill where everyone get crayons.
Daddy likes to do the puzzles on the kids menu sometimes.
Mommy has never taken me out to Olive Garden to eat, although she talks about it here. I guess she is craving pasta.
Mommy
The beauty with so many restaurants having online menus is that you can pick the meal that fit's your child's needs the most by going online and researching the menu and nutrition information before going to the restaurant.
There are other ways to plan ahead when eating out. Grab a menu (or have someone hold it for you while you juggle diaper bag and baby) and take a look at what's available while you wait to be seated so you are ready to order for them when the waitress comes to take your drink order.
If there are menus available to take home you can also create a little folder of your favorites to keep somewhere in the house or in the car so you are able to look at them before dining out.
By planning ahead, you already know you want the kids menu's breaded chicken fingers with broccoli at Olive Garden for your two-year-old, or, or decide to share your veggies from the grilled Chicken Spiedini along with a nibble of stuffed mushroom beforehand with your little one.
Studying the menu and seeing the vast amount of chicken and cheese that seems to make up so many kid's menus may have you choose to bring your own food for your child as well, and also means that they are free to eat when they are ready to do so- which may mean the minute they are in the high chair, if they are like Foodie Baby!
I just read through the December/January issue of Parenting Early Years and the article entitled 'Take Your Toddler Anywhere' by author Erin Zammett Ruddy discusses eating out at restaurants with toddlers. In the article it is recommended to order their food as soon as you sit down at the table (and after they are belted in a working highchair, diaper bag stashed away, and all of the forks and knives and plates and glasses out of reach. Or before. Whichever works best.)
I loved that piece of advice and being able to look at a menu online would make that easy.
Other advice- Zammett Ruddy also says to have the hostess clear the table until the food comes to keep children from trying to play with silverware and sugar packets, or to try to keep them entertained with a game (I remember doing I Spy when I was little.) She also quotes "Time for Dinner" author Jenny Rosenthal, who says to go for an early reservation (like before 6 p.m.).
For other tips about eating at restaurants check out 4 more here at Parenting.com
Mommy often gives me the bread off the table or some snack she packed in my diaper bag when we go out to dinner when she orders off the menu for me.
I also eat the crayons that everyone gives me. She said she doesn't understand why they think little babies would want crayons, except at Macaroni Grill where everyone get crayons.
Daddy likes to do the puzzles on the kids menu sometimes.
Mommy has never taken me out to Olive Garden to eat, although she talks about it here. I guess she is craving pasta.
Mommy
The beauty with so many restaurants having online menus is that you can pick the meal that fit's your child's needs the most by going online and researching the menu and nutrition information before going to the restaurant.
There are other ways to plan ahead when eating out. Grab a menu (or have someone hold it for you while you juggle diaper bag and baby) and take a look at what's available while you wait to be seated so you are ready to order for them when the waitress comes to take your drink order.
If there are menus available to take home you can also create a little folder of your favorites to keep somewhere in the house or in the car so you are able to look at them before dining out.
By planning ahead, you already know you want the kids menu's breaded chicken fingers with broccoli at Olive Garden for your two-year-old, or, or decide to share your veggies from the grilled Chicken Spiedini along with a nibble of stuffed mushroom beforehand with your little one.
Studying the menu and seeing the vast amount of chicken and cheese that seems to make up so many kid's menus may have you choose to bring your own food for your child as well, and also means that they are free to eat when they are ready to do so- which may mean the minute they are in the high chair, if they are like Foodie Baby!
I just read through the December/January issue of Parenting Early Years and the article entitled 'Take Your Toddler Anywhere' by author Erin Zammett Ruddy discusses eating out at restaurants with toddlers. In the article it is recommended to order their food as soon as you sit down at the table (and after they are belted in a working highchair, diaper bag stashed away, and all of the forks and knives and plates and glasses out of reach. Or before. Whichever works best.)
I loved that piece of advice and being able to look at a menu online would make that easy.
Other advice- Zammett Ruddy also says to have the hostess clear the table until the food comes to keep children from trying to play with silverware and sugar packets, or to try to keep them entertained with a game (I remember doing I Spy when I was little.) She also quotes "Time for Dinner" author Jenny Rosenthal, who says to go for an early reservation (like before 6 p.m.).
For other tips about eating at restaurants check out 4 more here at Parenting.com
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