Tips to Avoid Over-Grazing On Kids Meals

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Tips to Avoid Over-Grazing On Kids Meals

Posted on 02 18, 2007 under The Manual by Noodad | Comments

5340000_00040_002_tcm3-25264 Going out to eat can be crazy stressful. But besides the need to entertain the kids, keep them eating healthy, keeping the floors relatively clean, and escaping without breaking the bank, there is something else to worry about. It's what I like to call, "Over-Grazing": the temptation to finish off your kid's unfinished meal.

The temptation is real. And the ramifications are severe. Depending on the level of "ooh la la" the restaurant is, your kid's meal could cost you over half the amount of a full adult meal. So when you are shelling out 5-8 bucks for a chicken finger platter, of course you are going to polish off the last finger as you walk out the door. Which brings us to the ramification factor. Indulging in a chicken finger one day, and a couple of french fries the next will do wonders for your cholesterol and your blood pressure.

Kid's meals with few exceptions consist of high sodium, high fat, deep-fried, finger foods that your kids love, and you love too. So how do you avoid the negative effects of over grazing? You may be tempted to just say, "you just don't eat it." But most people realize that ain't easy. Here are a few tips:

AVOID THE KID'S MENU
One way to fix this whole mess is to avoid it all together. Have your kids order from the main menu. If you luck out, you can have your kids share with you or each other. Sure, you may pay a small plate sharing fee but it will save you in the long run.

TAKE IT HOME
Even if it is one chicken finger. Or 2 spoonfuls of Macaroni and Cheese, wrap it up and bring it home with you. You will avoid the temptation and the guilt by leaving nothing to waste. Plus, your kid will have a snack to enjoy the next day.

GROSS YOURSELF OUT
Still can't handle the temptation? Weak in this area? Here's a trick: gross yourself out. Think of something disgusting, like Digger the dermatophyte and then imagine those little buggers crawling in the food. You won't eat it anything ever, ever again.

So does anyone else have tips to avoiding the over-grazing temotation? Good luck noodads.

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Ladydragonflagg 2 years ago 1 point
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When I was a kid my dad always told us to \"ruin our food\" which basically ment mooshing everything left over together and basically making the plate a big gross mess. He would joke with us and say that if we didnt do it they would serve it to someone else! We of course all responded with a resounding \"NO SIR!\" But we all got a kick out of it. I guess it kept us entertained for a little while longer so my parents could finish their meals. It was also the only time as kids we were allowed to play with our food.

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QSMama / Lea 2 years ago 1 point
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We often avoid the kid\'s menumostly because the choices are so uninspiring and so different from the rest of the menu, or from the cuisine the restaurant serves.

Why would we go to a great, say, Mexican restaurant and feed our kid chicken fingers or a grilled cheese and fries? My husband and I just make her a plate from ours, and if the restaurant wants to charge a sharing fee, that\'s okay.

And, yeah, one chicken finger (okay, we do order them sometimes) is an awesome leftover. That and a bit of pasta and some fruit is a whole meal for a little kid!

- QS Mama

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