Get Kids to Eat Healthy While Dining Out

So, you want to enjoy a nice dinner out and let someone else cook? But, the kid’s menu is not always the healthiest choice for your little ones. Here are some tips to make eating out with your kids a healthier experience…

Seek Balance

Choose meals that contain a balance of lean proteins (like fish, chicken, or beans if you’re a vegetarian), fruits and vegetables (fries and potato chips don’t qualify as veggies!), and whole grains (like whole-wheat bread and brown rice). That’s why a turkey sandwich on whole wheat with lettuce and tomato is a better choice than a cheeseburger on a white bun. ~KidsHealth.org

Try Something New

When dining out, why not try a place that offers lean local fare as opposed to everything-fried American fare? And while you’re out, encourage your friends, family, and kids to do the same. You never know, you might just stumble upon your new favorite health dish. The National Restaurant Association has a KidsWell Program that helps you and your children make healthier choices when dining out. ~Runners World

Check Kids LiveWell Recommendations

The National Restaurant Association launched the Kids LiveWell program in collaboration with Healthy Dining to help parents and children select healthful menu options when dining out. Restaurants that participate in the voluntary program commit to offering healthful meal items for children, with a particular focus on increasing consumption of fruit and vegetables, lean protein, whole grains and low-fat dairy, and limiting unhealthy fats, sugars and sodium.

The Kids LiveWell program benefits both restaurateurs and guests. Participating restaurants get third-party verification and promotional materials for qualified meals and individual menu items. Parents and caretakers get accurate information to help them make informed decisions about their child’s meal.

Learn More Here:

National Restaurant Association Kids LiveWell

Parenting.com on Kids LiveWell Program

Limit Options and Make Them Healthy

Instead of allowing children to choose from an array of options, find two to three healthier ones and give them the choice between those. When putting the choices in question form, children often feel more empowered rather than super limited.

Provide your child with some options.  That is, offer two or three choices, as in “Would you like to order the spaghetti and broccoli or grilled chicken and corn?” ~HealthyDinningFinder

Request Changes

Often restaurants will adjust menu items for healthier options if you just ask.

Make special requests.  Veggies instead of fries with that burger or sandwich, less or no oil, butter and whole wheat bread for the grilled cheese, grilled chicken strips instead of fried are all great requests to help improve the nutrition of old favorites. ~HealthyDiningFinder

Also, be sure to check out 4 Tips On Getting Kids to Eat Healthy

Have a tip to share? Leave it in the comments…