The Dreaded Kids’ Menu: Eating Healthy on Vacation

While on vacation, you and your family will typically eat out more often than
you do when you are at home. The variety of food and the fact you don’t
have to cook or clean feels real good at first. But, after a few days
of it, you will start to realize that the Kid’s Menu at most
restaurants tend to offer the same things. And unfortunately it isn’t
about the quality of the restaurant either. Restaurants from Denny’s to
5 Star establishments tend to list similar offerings.

Most Kid’s Menus carry the traditional hot dog, hamburger/cheeseburger, pizza, chicken nuggets, and the dreaded Mac and Cheese. Most kids will love those options. But soon you will realize your kids have eaten Mac and Cheese every meal for 3 days. You need some relief. And your kids need something green in their diet. Fortunately there are a few things you can do to help.

SUBSTITUTE THE FRIES
If your kids are like mine, they will eat french fries all day, every
day. But most restaurants will substitute the french fries for a
vegetable of the day. My wife and I tend to substitute one of our 2
kids’ meals with a veggie and then split the veggies and the fries
between them.

SPLIT AN ADULT MEAL
Just because there’s a kids menu does not mean you have to order from
it. Try splitting up an adult meal that may be a healthier option. Some
restaurants discourage splitting and sharing but in the end, they may
allow it with a small sharing fee. I have found that this fee is worth
it considering the healthier option for the kids.

BRIBE THE KIDS
I know I am going to have many people upset by this but those who can
look at themselves objectively will know that sometimes you need to
bribe your kids. My wife and I will sometimes bribe our kids with
dessert if they do a good job eating their vegetables.

SEIZE FRUITFUL OPPORTUNITIES
If your kids are on deep fried lock down seize every opportunity to
pump fruits into them. My kids love smoothies and they will woof it
down without realizing there are like 10 strawberries and 2 bananas
blended in that cup. And when you go down to the free continental
breakfast in the hotel lobby every morning, set a good example to your
kids by skipping the danish and hoarding the fruit cocktail.

Vacations are great to splurge and to treat yourself to indulgences.
But the best thing to do is to teach your kid by example that fruits
and vegetables are indulgences too. Good luck noodads.