The Kids Menu is NOT Kid Friendly
Why Kids' Menus Are Doing Our Kids No Favors
Let’s face it—going out to eat with kids is a mixed bag. You might be excited to get out of the house, but you know what’s coming: the eternal battle of getting your kid to eat something that isn’t covered in cheese or ketchup. As parents, we carefully review the menu for ourselves, choosing grilled chicken, veggies, maybe even a salad if we’re feeling particularly ambitious. But when it’s time to order for the little ones, we’re often handed the dreaded kids' menu. And there it is, staring us down: a list of fried food, pizza, pasta, and chicken nuggets. While we’re trying to make healthy choices for ourselves, it’s easy to fall into the trap of handing over the kids' menu without a second thought. But that’s exactly where we start going wrong.
Kids' menus were designed to be easy, but easy often means unhealthy. Burgers, fries, pasta, and nuggets—they’re all comfort foods, yes, but they’re also loaded with empty calories, processed ingredients, and a lot of unhealthy fats. And let’s not forget those fried options—cooked in rancid seed oils like soybean or canola oil. These oils break down when heated and create harmful byproducts that slowly damage our kids’ health. It’s like a one-two punch of poor nutrition. Not only are they getting junk food, but they’re getting food that’s slowly wearing down their bodies without us even realizing it.
But here’s the real issue: it’s not just about one meal. The problem is the bigger picture. When kids are repeatedly offered the same unhealthy options, they start to think that eating out means indulging in whatever’s least likely to be green. So when you try to serve them something healthier at home, it’s like pulling teeth. “Why don’t you want to eat this spinach? It’s just like a tree, but smaller!” Cue the protests.
Beyond the battles at the dinner table, these early food choices are setting the stage for habits that last a lifetime. Studies show that childhood eating habits often stick around well into adulthood. And if the first thing your kid orders at a restaurant is a mountain of fries and a side of more fries, you’re setting them up for chronic health problems later on. Obesity, diabetes, and heart disease—all linked to unhealthy diets that start in childhood. And what’s the first culprit? Kids' menus.
Now, I know what you’re thinking—restaurants aren’t going to change their kids' menus anytime soon. They’ve got a winning formula, and those calorie-packed, deep-fried meals aren’t going anywhere. So, what can we do? The answer is simple: as parents, it’s up to us to make smarter choices. It’s time to skip the kids' menu altogether and introduce our kids to the real menu. You can find smaller portions of grilled chicken, a side of veggies, or even a kid-friendly salad that’s both fun and healthy. If the kids’ menu isn’t going to cut it, make it off-limits and start showing your kids there’s more to a restaurant experience than nuggets and fries. Yes, it may take a little creativity—and a distraction technique or two—but it’s worth the effort. You’re not just giving them a healthier meal; you’re teaching them a lesson they’ll carry with them for life.
And here’s an idea—next time you’re out, why not share a steak with them? Red meat is one of the most nutrient-dense foods on the planet, packed with essential nutrients like iron, zinc, and B12—exactly what your growing kids need to thrive. If you’re concerned about portion sizes, no problem—just split a steak! It’s an easy, delicious way to introduce them to something wholesome and satisfying, while teaching them that healthy food doesn’t have to be boring or bland. Plus, it sets a great example for them, showing that eating out can be about more than just chicken nuggets and fries.
At the end of the day, it’s not just about what your kids eat while dining out. It’s about setting them up for a lifetime of good eating habits. If we can’t count on restaurants to make the change, we have to step in and do it ourselves. By skipping the kids' menu and teaching our kids to appreciate healthier options, we’re breaking the cycle of poor nutrition. And let’s be real: if we don’t make these changes now, we’re going to end up with a generation that thinks ketchup is a vegetable and broccoli is a foreign concept. It’s time to show our kids that food can be both fun and nourishing. After all, a little effort now means fewer meltdowns later—over broccoli, at least.