Kid's Meals - MOMMY FRUSTRATION

rainunrefined
rainunrefined Posts: 850 Member
edited October 2024 in Food and Nutrition
Every where you go out to eat there are usually kid's meals, right?

(Granted we eat at home most of the time and pack healthy snacks everywhere we go.. BUT)

I have found that it is RARE to find a 'kids meal' that includes a healthy protein, healthy side, and a healthy drink. Most of the time the only kids meals offered are burgers, fried chicken nuggets, pizza, with a side of fries or MAYBE apples if we're lucky. A lot of the time they come with a cookie and for the drink it's either pop or sugar packed juice that is included, if we opt for water we still pay the same.

Does anyone else find this frustrating?

We usually bypass the kids meals all together and order an extra adult side of fruit or split something grilled. My daughter doesn't drink pop or even juice really. She drinks water and loves fruit.

Bottom line, most kids meals are junk. I go out of my way to thank those restaurants that offer fruit or veggies as a side (or accommodate my requests) and offer non-fried entrees for kiddos.

Replies

  • 4thehardman
    4thehardman Posts: 731 Member
    I won't let my kids eat nuggets and stuff so I either ask if they have a 'healthy option' for kids or I order half of and adult meal (they usuall only charge half the price for that) although I have triplets they rarely want the same as eachother but when they do, I get an adult meal and split it. soup is usually a healthier and cheaper option too.
  • momma3sweetgirls
    momma3sweetgirls Posts: 743 Member
    Kids don't HAVE to eat kids meals. Kids can share a regular meal and just box up what's left for later.
  • rainunrefined
    rainunrefined Posts: 850 Member
    Kids don't HAVE to eat kids meals. Kids can share a regular meal and just box up what's left for later.

    That's usually what we do.
  • mamashatzie
    mamashatzie Posts: 238 Member
    I have trouble with this too. Kids' meal choices are fried, fried, or fried, with a side of fried. And soda to drink. Ugh.

    There's a place around here that has really great kids' choices. Pasta (plain or with marinara sauce), grilled chicken, grilled cheese, and of course the requisite corn dogs or fried chicken strips. But the sides are fresh fruit, steamed veggies, fries, applesauce, etc. We actually went there last night and got my son grilled chicken, fruit (grapes and cantaloupe, yum), and milk. Last time we went there the fresh fruit was strawberries, and my kid went nuts over those strawberries.

    I wish more places would offer healthy kids meals.
  • rainunrefined
    rainunrefined Posts: 850 Member
    I have trouble with this too. Kids' meal choices are fried, fried, or fried, with a side of fried. And soda to drink. Ugh.

    There's a place around here that has really great kids' choices. Pasta (plain or with marinara sauce), grilled chicken, grilled cheese, and of course the requisite corn dogs or fried chicken strips. But the sides are fresh fruit, steamed veggies, fries, applesauce, etc. We actually went there last night and got my son grilled chicken, fruit (grapes and cantaloupe, yum), and milk. Last time we went there the fresh fruit was strawberries, and my kid went nuts over those strawberries.

    I wish more places would offer healthy kids meals.

    That sounds awesome! Totally I place I would support.
  • mamashatzie
    mamashatzie Posts: 238 Member
    I have trouble with this too. Kids' meal choices are fried, fried, or fried, with a side of fried. And soda to drink. Ugh.

    There's a place around here that has really great kids' choices. Pasta (plain or with marinara sauce), grilled chicken, grilled cheese, and of course the requisite corn dogs or fried chicken strips. But the sides are fresh fruit, steamed veggies, fries, applesauce, etc. We actually went there last night and got my son grilled chicken, fruit (grapes and cantaloupe, yum), and milk. Last time we went there the fresh fruit was strawberries, and my kid went nuts over those strawberries.

    I wish more places would offer healthy kids meals.

    That sounds awesome! Totally I place I would support.

    Definitely. That's one of the main reasons we go back there.
  • maddymama
    maddymama Posts: 1,183 Member
    On the other side of the argument......... we eat very healthy at home. I don't see a problem for my kids gettings chicken strips once or twice a month when we go out to eat. I don't think they have to eat healthy 100% of the time, just as I don't think I have to eat healthy 100% o the time. Eating out is a treat, and can be treated as such. I do try to order a healthier side (broccoli, veggies, applesauce, or yogurt rather than fries), but an unhealthy side once a month or so won't really do much damage to them.
    For the record, I always order milk or water for their drink, and always decline the dessert.
  • ♥Amy♥
    ♥Amy♥ Posts: 714 Member
    I totally agree with this, Rain.

    When we go out to eat, I let my boys choose the main entree (since we don't go out very often) and then for the sides, I *try* and get fruit/veggies, if the place offers it. If there is milk, they get it, otherwise it's water. I do hate, though, that to get healthier options or to NOT get soda that it usually costs more. My 7 and 2 year olds have never had soda and my 7 year old has no desire to even try it.
  • jennarandhayes
    jennarandhayes Posts: 456 Member
    I find it very frustrating! I usually order a grilled chicken breast and some fruit (most restaurants can do something like this), but occasionally we go out with friends and I let her get what the other kids get. I never want her to feel like she is being deprived. Many of my weight issues come from the fact that I was NEVER allowed to eat anything unhealthy as a kid, so when I finally made my own food choices I ate every unhealthy food I could get my hands on. Everything in moderation! I think that restaurants should go with the same philosophy, offer some healthy options and some "treats," and just keep an eye on portion sizes.
  • mamashatzie
    mamashatzie Posts: 238 Member
    On the other side of the argument......... we eat very healthy at home. I don't see a problem for my kids gettings chicken strips once or twice a month when we go out to eat. I don't think they have to eat healthy 100% of the time, just as I don't think I have to eat healthy 100% o the time. Eating out is a treat, and can be treated as such. I do try to order a healthier side (broccoli, veggies, applesauce, or yogurt rather than fries), but an unhealthy side once a month or so won't really do much damage to them.
    For the record, I always order milk or water for their drink, and always decline the dessert.

    My little one is only a year and a half. When he gets older I don't have a problem with letting him choose what he wants, but now is the time for him to learn healthy habits and appreciation for healthy food. There's plenty of time for junk food when he gets a little older. :)
  • Espressocycle
    Espressocycle Posts: 2,245 Member
    Kids meals are to get the average kid to shut up and be happy while the grownups eat. They are also designed to be dirt cheap. Hence, they are usually chicken fingers.
  • thirtyandthriving
    thirtyandthriving Posts: 613 Member
    We rarely eat out, but when we do my daughter gets chicken tenders, fruit and milk. Thankfully, Nearly everywhere we frequent has the option of fruit instead of fries, even if it's apple sauce.
  • ladybg81
    ladybg81 Posts: 1,553 Member
    Yes, this is true. I usually takes "sides" with me when we eat out. Fruit slices, apple sauce, yogurt, cheese sticks and milk to drink. He LOVES chicken and because we very rarely eat out (maybe once per month if that) I am okay if he gets chicken strips; I do however oppose the "chicken" some places serve. But, with all the healthy sides I bring along, he is not actually consuming much of the unhealthy stuff anyway. If he chooses to eat at all that is.
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