Because my eBook First Bites will be released in ten days(!!), Accidentally Green’s October posts will focus on healthy eating.
A few moms have already gotten a sneak peek at First Bites, and one – Stacie of Tennessee – asked some great questions after reading it:
“How do you eat healthy when you’re traveling or have no choice but to eat out? Are there some food items at certain restaurants you would recommend? That’s where I get stumped and wondered but have just learned via trial and error or research. I won’t let my kids get fast-food salads or fruits because I had reactions to the preservatives they put on both, so I don’t trust them for my kids. But sadly, that usually means the less healthier sides are the only options.”
Making healthy choices at most restaurants can be such a challenge – for adults, and especially for children. Unless a restaurant is known for healthy options – and some restaurants are – it’s tricky to know what is OK.
First things first
For starters, most food on a children’s menu isn’t necessarily healthy. Think about the usual options: Chicken nuggets. Hot dogs. Macaroni and cheese. Cheese pizza. Hamburgers. At a sit-down restaurant, these menu items are an afterthought for chefs – typically they’re frozen, processed foods that can be prepared quickly while the majority of time is spent on entrees.
One way to sidestep this problem is to order food for your children off the adult menu. Split your meal with your child. (Do you really need all the food in your large helping?) Or, let your children split an adult meal. Or, if there’s some sort of a healthy appetizer, pick that. If you’re choosing from the adult menu, steer clear of anything that’s obviously unhealthy … you know, the triple cheese covered bacon bites served on a quadruple burger stack, or the cheesecake stuffed pancakes covered in caramel, maple syrup, and hot fudge. Mmmm.
Fast food frustrations
Fast food restaurants present a very tricky mealtime situation, because typically the food is processed and not fresh. The food that is “fresh” is treated with preservatives, like Stacie mentioned. (Have you tasted fast food apple slices? They don’t taste like any fresh apple I’ve eaten.) Plus, so much fast food is typically fried.
However, many families choose fast food restaurants when eating out because they’re cheap, casual, and you don’t have to worry as much about how noisy or antsy your children are. All of these factors are major bonuses for parents of young children.
What’s a parent to do? The easiest solution is to greatly limit your family’s exposure to fast food dining. Eat out only when necessary – not when desired. (As a huge fan of restaurants, I know this can be so difficult.)
When you’re choosing from a fast food menu, give in to the fact that your child will not eat a nutritious meal. Don’t overindulge with enormous portions of food – eat a small meal and make up for the poor meal choice later in the day with a healthier meal. If you know a burger and fries is the most reasonable option, don’t order a triple cheeseburger with an extra large order of fries and a chocolate milkshake. Order small portions and look for something healthier later.
Unfortunately I can’t recommend amazing ways to eat healthy at a fast food restaurant, because it’s pretty impossible to turn something unhealthy healthy. But tomorrow I’ll share what meal choices I make when my family eats out.
Talk back
I would love to hear how you try to eat healthier when dining in restaurants. Please share your tips and tricks!
Today, I’m linking up with:
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When we eat out at fast food I try to “off-set” it with lots of fresh veggies and fruit options for snacks. We do limit our fast food intake, just too many better things to eat at home!
Loved this post! As a mama of 4 these tips come in handy.
Stopping by from WLW linkup!