Healthier Menu Selections for Kids

Posted by Charlina Stewart Jul 25, 2008

I’m notorious for swinging by the nearest drive-through to grab dinner for my children at least twice a week. I know it’s not the healthiest option, but hey, it’s the price we pay for living life at record speed. Actually, it’s not as bad as it sounds because I’ve learned to make healthier menu selections for my kids whenever we eat out.

Fast food chains know that health sales--and more of them are getting on board by offering healthier menu selections for families concerned about what their children consume. I have found that most restaurants are very accommodating when I request healthier meal options for my children.

I often substitute the fries in my kids’ meals for fruit, a baked potato, or a bowl of steamed veggies; their soft drinks are always replaced with milk or juice; and I forgo the fried chicken, and request grilled instead.

Just because you take your family to fast food restaurants a couple of times a week doesn’t mean you have to order the most fattening items on the menu, as there are healthier options available. So if you must resort to feeding your tykes fast food, find ways to make smart choices.