Restaurant Menu Updates for Kids and Gluten-Free Patrons
The next time you’re dining out, take a closer look at the Children’s Menu. You’ll notice more whole-grain choices and fruit rather than fries. Likewise, gluten-free items are significantly emerging as well. These are positive changes that help to balance the paradigm shift when more families are convinced that, in order to eat healthy, they have to eat at home. However, many well-known restaurants are realizing that our current society, both young and old, is asking for healthier food selections on the menu.
Just like adults, children have their list of favorite restaurants too. As parents, we recognize that the short list of kid-favorite eateries isn’t because the children are thinking about nutrition, but rather, they are thinking about the entertainment value of the meal. If the meal comes with a toy, an arcade area, a playground, crayons and coloring books, and the like, children will always try to persuade you to taking them where the fun awaits. But now with these kid-friendly places including more fruits, vegetables, and whole-grains with the meals, there doesn’t have to be such an avoidance issue. Better eating choices can be fostered when combined with a “favorite” place and the aspect of some entertainment.As food allergies are becoming more and more common, being “picky” about what to eat goes far beyond the stigma of yester-years. Eating something that causes an allergic reaction can often be severe enough for a visit to the nearest emergency room. Things such as peanut products, fish and shellfish, and gluten are the top three culprits that can turn a dining experience into a near-tragedy. Although it is the responsibility of the parent and/or adult to be very mindful of their own allergy circumstances, restaurants are also mindful that allergic reactions are scenarios that they do not want happening at their establishments.
Let’s say a big “bravo” to those who are keen on the trend to offer healthier food selections on the menu! It all boils down to the actual dining experience that really matters – so removing some of the anxieties for those who have to truly consider better eating habits and avoiding food allergies is absolutely a very good thing to do.
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