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[KIANGA]

Mortlives, I agree with you. IMO when carrots are boiled until they are mush, I can't eat them. I just par-boil them, they have a totally different taste and crunchy.

 

[bavaria]

I was labelled picky as a small child becuase I didn't like the typical 'poor German' menu my mother cooked using potatos, cabbage, onions, bacon, and rabbit meat on Sundays.

My family did encourage us to expand our tastebuds though when they could afford and/or learned about more exciting foods.

I am a foodie who trained in the kitchen, and fully support being adventurous.

A few weeks ago I was waiting to order a pretzel at Sommerfest in Epcot; the poor German girl behind the counter was asked by EVERY one of the 7 ppl ahead of me - 'can't I have french fries with that?' I empathized (in German) with her when I got to the counter, and she told me that it goes that way all day long..............

I went to Boma with some other friends from this website; we joked about how many adults loaded up on the mac and cheese.

 

[disneymom3]

I have been telling people for YEARS that I think what you eat during preg effects the foods that your children have the most interest in. However, I also think (and have hope for my youngest) that kids can change as they get older. DD used to be quite picky but now at 9 she is a very adventurous eater and will try just about anything. She was totally psyched when she found out that on our next trip if we do the DDP she will be able to order off the adult menu. Middle DS has been an adventurous eater since he was born. He will eat anything and will turn down chocolate for some carrots. (I am NOT kidding!) Then we have the third one. Oyvey.....this kid changes what he is willing to eat from day to day. He may love something one day and refuse to eat it the next. Most times we have the try one bite rule, but hey, I know I hate mushrooms and no matter how many times someone would try to make me try it I would still hate them. I still put a small amount of each thing we are having for dinner on his plate and it is up to him if he eats it or stays hungry. There is always something he likes but many dinners are composed of salad and bread for him.

Oh, and for the record, all three of my kids adore hummus and pita chips--even the picky one!

 

[jennypenny]

I'm all for exposing your kids to different foods to broaden their horizons (I have managed to make 2 out of 3 kids fairly sophisticated foodies) BUT . . .

When we travel to places like WDW, the kids are overwhelmed with sights, sounds, stimulations, etc. This is not the time to make them try a new food. They are overwhelmed and (probably) starving and the comfort of food they recognize like chicken nuggets or a hamburger can't be overstated. If my son only eats hamburgers for the whole trip I'm ok with that--as long as he eats.

If my kids want to try something new--terrific!--but I'm not going to push new food on them on vacation. It's like bedtime on vacation--I don't really enforce the normal bedtimes (how could you with fireworks and such ) but as long as the kids are getting enough sleep I'm happy.

(and now to completely contradict myself ) I do think that disney could make the kids menus a little better. They could at least offer 1 or 2 meals that reflect the food of the restaurant.

Jenny

 

[Jennasis]

I am a picky eater but it certainly isn't my parents fault. I have big hang ups about the way food is presented on the plate (if it looks weird or is garnished with something "stupid" I ain't eating it!) and also about texture. I don't eat fruit at all, something to do with texture I suppose, and the oonly veggies I eat are carrots, broccoli and cauliflower. I try most types of sauces (as long as there is no fruit in it) and I eat just about any meat/fish/shellfish. I don't know why I have such ahngups on food and I wish I didn't, but I honestly gag at the thought of eating some things (like fruit). It's so bad I won't even HOLD a piece of fruit in my hand without gaging. I'm so weird!

that said I don't think every meal should be fried something served with french fries. I LOVE Flame Tree BBQ at AKL. The corn, beans and bbq's pork and chicken were terrific and a much more satisfying lunch than a burger and fries. When we go to TS restaurants I NEVER order anything with fries, and usually never order burgers. I will be a bit adventurous at TS places.

A few years ago we ate at Primetime Cafe and my food was served with string beans (which I did't touch). When it came time to order dessert, the waiter made a huge fuss about how I didn't eat any veggies and wouldn't let us order dessert until I ate at least one forkfull of stringbeans. I knew he was playing the part, but I was havign an anxiety attack! No WAY was I touching string beans. The waiter gleefully took a picture of me while my sadistic EX-husband shoveled in a big forkfull of beans into my mouth. They had a good laugh...I almost barfed. PS...they taste awful (or as I say, pointless. They have no descernible flavor. Asparagus too...and lettuce).

 

[curiouser]

Yes!! What on earth is up with fries with everything?? Are carrot sticks so much more expensive that they can't be an alternative? I do like the trend now at Wendy's and such that there is a fruit option instead of fries...I wish Disney would do that!

Disney does do that... Just about every CS I've been to offers carrots as an alternative to fries.... at least the ones in MK.

 

[pinchy]

Mortlives, I agree with you. IMO when carrots are boiled until they are mush, I can't eat them. I just par-boil them, they have a totally different taste and crunchy.

the secret to yummy carrots is not to boil them but to stir fry them on a medium heat in a bit of sunflower oil, then just when they are getting soft add a little milk.... you lose much less flavour by stirfrying

 

[JimDearandDarling]

When we travel to places like WDW, the kids are overwhelmed with sights, sounds, stimulations, etc. This is not the time to make them try a new food. They are overwhelmed and (probably) starving and the comfort of food they recognize like chicken nuggets or a hamburger can't be overstated. If my son only eats hamburgers for the whole trip I'm ok with that--as long as he eats.

If my kids want to try something new--terrific!--but I'm not going to push new food on them on vacation. It's like bedtime on vacation--I don't really enforce the normal bedtimes (how could you with fireworks and such ) but as long as the kids are getting enough sleep I'm happy.


Jenny

I totally agree with this...its thier vacation also....I know I don't want othes telling me what I can and can't eat so I am sure they don't either....

also just because you see a parent allow thier child to eat chicken nuggets over and over at disney don't make assumption that they don't expose thier child to other foods at home.

my oldest son has sensory issues..no one would know by looking at him but if i forced him to eat something that would trigger his sensory issue then everyone would know by the puke on the table...and my youngest has allergies....as hard as it is to believe he can't have anything with fruit or fruit juice in it....among other things...

and my kids have more of an adult taste bud but disney doesn't offer to many restaurants that have salmon, snapper, shrimp, steak, brocolli, asparegus, artichokes and duck on the children's menus....if they did mine would rather order that....they dispise pb&J and mac and cheese they aren't huge fans of cheese pizza since supreme is not offered for them they often order nuggests because it is the only "kid" food they like....

my sons are 5 and 7....so don't assume they don't know what real food taste like or they are "made" to eat something new....my sons have more of a grown up taste that some adults I know...

 

[Priorityonecb]

Are the carrots listed at CS as an alternative or do you have to ask for them specifically? I always ask at TS for dd if she can get a fruit or vegetable instead of fries.

Oh..and I completely agree with the cooked carrots thoughts! Broccoli too, cooked to mush is just nasty!

 

[ENSOCK]

Both of my DS will eat just about anything. They eat a varity of foods and I am really worried that at Disney I am going to be eating alot of burgers or chicken nuggets because only one DS can order as an adult. Both boys eat everything on their pizza and are going to be upset with just a cheese pizza. My oldest does not like mexican or chinese but that is really my fault. He was having mirgraines (sp?) so I started watching his msg intake. Before that he would eat anything. Since then if it has msg or he thinks that it will he will not eat that food.
But I have friends whose kids will not eat anything, but they do not try to introduce new foods to them. Now if I cook something that I know they do not eat then I will offer another food, but not a hunny bun and a glass of milk.

 

[kjs1976]

I look at my four year old nieces compared to my best friend's 4 yr. old. They are like "chips, juice, and candy" and will be excused from the table without finishing their meals and be allowed whatever they want an hour later when they're hungry. My friend's kiddos eat and try everything because that was how they were exposed to it. You have to try it before you say you don't like it and you can't leave the table without so much of your plate empty or there is no dessert or snack later, except to reheat and finish your plate. Her 4 yr old loves raw brocolli and no one is the house likes it except for cooked. But one day when she was cleaning some for dinner she offered her daughter a bite with some dip and now she prefers it to cooked. Her husband was a "picky" eater who became "unpicky" when they had kids and he had to be a role model. He has tried and now eats much more variety because he didn't want his kids to grow up to be like him.

My friend just took her two kids to Ohanas and had to order off the kids menu for DD. They only nibbled on their pizza, but scarrfed down her skewer meat and the other "adult" food because it was what they were used to. They were sick of pizza and hotdogs after two days!

I'm for more options than pizza and hotdogs! When we have kiddos, we want them to eat more variety than what is offered for kids out there.

 

[friendofgusgus]

This is all great in theory but there have been many times I've been seated next to the family that has parents saying "No More Pizza!" while the child cries, yells, kicks, screams, and then finally orders something else.

Once it arrives, the parents spend the whole meal cajoling, arm-twisting, pleading, yelling and bribing with dessert to get the child to eat it.

If it's going to keep the peace for everyone in the place, I say let 'em the darn chicken strips!

Jennifer
Disney Fairy Tale Wedding 12/11/06

 

[tinkerbell6]

Imagine my surprise when I discovered that I didn't hate broccoli, I hated broccoli that had had all the nutrition cooked out of it. I don't hate carrots. I hate frozen carrots, tinned carrots and boiled carrots. I don't dislike roast beef, I dislike the shoe leather formerly known as roast beef. I will eat most vegetables, as long as they're fresh, and preferably raw, although lightly cooked, steamed or stir-fried is okay, too.

Ugh, overcooked vegetables are the worst! No canned, boiled, or anything overcooked please! Frozen can be fine if steamed.

 

[jeast]

I've met very few adults who survive on chicken strips and french fries. Ergo, the picky ones must not permanently "deaden" their taste buds.

So....what do you care if kids eat chicken strips on vacation?

 

[Uuaww]

b/c i have friends who are very picky eaters, and they start that way as kids, and they will become adults like that. I am not saying that there are foods that people will hate, i personally loathe cucumbers. I am trying to spread awareness that food should be a pleasure, and chicken strips and fries can be one, but not all the time. They are unhealthy and its a bland taste with no difference in texture.

 

[wildbill]

Our son was 8 on his first trip. After 2 days of getting the kids menu he looked at the waitress and ask if he could have a real menu. This was at the steakhouse in Canada-he ordered the stuffed filet mignon...she looked at us and ask if we knew how big that was? Well he ate every bite and had dessert.

He was eating sushi at 5 years old.

We thought this was great! He'd try anything and like most everything. Now he's a teenager and we're going broke on the food bills

Bill
(we don't mind-I'd rather spend it on food than medicine)

 

[Uuaww]

yeah, thats whats great about college, when we go out to eat, we usually hit up all you can eat buffets or places that we know we can get massive portions, our favorite is a mexican place called vayartas, massive platters of food, 64 oz margaritas, and a churro at the end, usually can get out for about 15 without tip.

 

[eeyore45]

b/c i have friends who are very picky eaters, and they start that way as kids, and they will become adults like that. I am not saying that there are foods that people will hate, i personally loathe cucumbers. I am trying to spread awareness that food should be a pleasure, and chicken strips and fries can be one, but not all the time. They are unhealthy and its a bland taste with no difference in texture.

Just to add this real perspective. I was abused as a child, my mom pulled my hair, I yelled she shoved foods down my throat, and then dared me to throw it up. Nice huh? I am a picky eater now, and I dont give a darn! And I' m a mom, and I refuse to make food an issue with my kids. period.

I give them food, and I give them an education. I let them know from a healthy standpoint... my favorite is finding out the colas have an ingrediant called "phosphoric acid" that leeches calcium from the bones... they drink pop, no more than one a day, and its always non caffentated non phosphoric acid pop!!

My middle son is now 18, his girlfriend came from Russia (she is American) and he eats at her house all the time... I've asked him... he says he never knows what he's eating, but he eats it anyway (yes, even borscht!!)

So I let my kids eat chicken nuggets on vacation, but I'll always remind them about being healthy, and sometimes they do choose friuits and veggies!! Our peditrician said to watch what they eat over a week, not just one day... So pleasee dont judge me, know I'm doing the best I can for now...

I will however applaud your choice to educate the world on other wonderful choices!!

 

[Uuaww]

If people are eating healthier, than that is great, if kids want to eat pbj with carrot sticks for every meal, so be it, as long as there healthy, i feel that those kids will be more willing to branch out more later on. sub in broccoli and hummus, or cellery and what not, and then move from there. but when a kid only eats deep fried food, ie. chicken strips and fries, then there is a problem. I am convinced that variety leads to healthier eating.

 

[Kath2003]

Personally whenever we've been, we've been allowed whatever we wanted. And guess what? It's the only time of the year as a child when I could choose what I ate. No one ever asked us what we wanted for dinner: it was served up and if you didn't eat it, you went to bed hungry (no clean plate - even one pea left on it - no dessert either).

So getting to choose our own food and have fast food (we went to a fast food joint about twice a year when I was growing up) was the best part of the vacation when I was a kid (I was a picky eater, I went to bed soooo many times without dinner).

Turns out, I'm now a 21 year old who hates McDonalds/BK, loves pizza in any shape or form and is a US size 6. I think I'm doing OK, despite those weeks at WDW stuffing my face with burgers. As an adult, I now eat healthily, and I watch my weight very closely.

But I'ma be stuffing my faces with them burgers come August...ohhhh yes....I have not stuck to 1,400 calories a day all year so that I can continue my diet on holiday - I'ma make the most of it