Oh, I can feel the flames already....

[Dissy]

Please also realize that if a kid is even mildly picky, some don't want to deal with that on vacation.

I don't understand why people are ticked that some adults are picky. Picky IMO doesn't mean nuggets/burgers only diet. Some are picky because of dietary restrictions/allergies/digestive problems and it's easier eating simple foods.



As for kids, that's the parents responsibility. Everyone's palettes are different.

Good points!
Food sensitivities and allergies run rampant in my family. It's genetic.
Looking back on some of our kids picky eating syndromes...it was probably their bodies giving them messages.

If my sister even smells fresh fish, her lips and tongue swell and her airway constricts.

Spicy foods? OMG the heartburn and indigestion. Dairy? I'd be farting my way around WDW and doubling over with gas pains.
You wouldn't want to be standing in line behind me.

Picky isn't always a mental thing.

 

[1PrincessMomma1]

Yes! I so agree! Especially when parents say, 'my kids are picky and won't eat anything but chicken fingers and pizza'. Really? Is it because that's all they've ever been fed? Disney is a great place to explore new kinds of food!

I'll proudly take the flames with you! Bring it!

Clearly you are not a parent. My child has SID with texture issues and FTR she doesn't eat chicken fingers or pizza or hot dogs, pb&j or any other kid foods for that matter. Talk about picky. DW is not the venue to try and get a child with these issues to eat something new to them.

 

[ReneeA]

OP, I absolutely agree. I think so many people are "picky" eaters because they have been made to be that way. I'm not a short order cook, either. You eat what is served, or you go hungry. There is no "you can make yourself this or that,' the rule is: this is what there is. period. We also make ADRs at WDW based on what we want. The kids can find something on the menu, or they can be hungry. I don't care what other people eat until it effects me. Like when other people look at your meal and comment or make the "yuk" face. Also, you are not helping your children by allowing them to be picky. There are going to be situations in their life where people won't cater to their self-imposed restrictions.

Yup...this is how my children have been raised, too. I am not a short order cook, and I am not going to eat crappy food for years while raising kids because that's what they want to eat...they eat what I cook, or they go hungry.

I only wish that WDW had a more wide variety of "adult" options on their kid's menu (or would make a smaller version of an adult's meal for kids). My kids do not prefer nuggets, hot dogs, and pb&j. I would prefer them NOT to have to eat them. I also would prefer if I didn't have to share MY adult meal with them because they couldn't get a decent meal off the kid's menu.

 

[ReneeA]

Clearly you are not a parent. My child has SID with texture issues and FTR she doesn't eat chicken fingers or pizza or hot dogs, pb&j or any other kid foods for that matter. Talk about picky. DW is not the venue to try and get a child with these issues to eat something new to them.

I am a parent and I agree with the OP. I know that some kids have sensory issues - I have one child that tests very low on the autism spectrum. There are a small amount of foods he won't eat (mashed potatoes get vomited right back up). I don't NOT make them, but he does have to take one bite each time...then he has to take double veggies to make up for the lack of potatoes. I think because I haven't ever given in and catered to them, they don't think they have any other choice.

When they are adults and paying for their own food is when they can have lots of choices.

 

[Planogirl]

DS is relatively picky and always has been since he started eating. Luckily he loves any kind of meat or pasta or fruit or cheese so it's not just a matter of chicken fingers. He's just odd that way - I remember forcing him to try ice cream and how upset he was at the time. Of course he loved it once I finally got him to try it but there's some kind of rebellion in him when it comes to food. I don't see any sign of sensory issues or anything of that nature.

Now I wish that I was a little more picky. DH will eat most things so he's not a problem either.

I saw someone mention McD's earlier. We do hit the place during our trip but only once. I believe in letting people have what they want during some part of the trip too even if it's only a place like McDonald's.

 

[1PrincessMomma1]

I am a parent and I agree with the OP. I know that some kids have sensory issues - I have one child that tests very low on the autism spectrum. There are a small amount of foods he won't eat (mashed potatoes get vomited right back up). I don't NOT make them, but he does have to take one bite each time...then he has to take double veggies to make up for the lack of potatoes. I think because I haven't ever given in and catered to them, they don't think they have any other choice.

When they are adults and paying for their own food is when they can have lots of choices.

See and I disagree. I haven't "given in " to my child but I'm not going to ruin everyones vacation by making her eat something that she doesn't like the texture of. As I said she doesn't eat "kid" foods because they tend to have a grainey texture. She'd live off of broccolli if I'd let her. People take me for a picky eater not realizing that I have severe, life threatening food allergies and I have to be VERY careful about what I eat or I could die. So sometimes the chicken fingers are the only thing on the menu that is safe for me to eat. Sometimes even the salad isn't safe for me. MYOB is what people should do. It's doesn't concern them what others are eating.

 

[faindrops27]

No flames, but just a question - why do you care about other people's eating habits?

As for my family, we love interesting, well-prepared foods. As far as I'm concerned, let the others be "picky" - more room at the good places for us!

I don't think the OP, really cares. About what other people eat.. What she is saying. Is she is tired of reading people proclaiming, they are, or their kids are picky. Get over it already..

If your kids, will only eat nuggets, fries, pizza, burgers. That is because you allow them. My kids love those type of things. But, they understand, that if mommy made baked chicken, sauteed squash, and rice. For dinner. They will eat that. Or go hungry. No giving into picky behavior. If they only wish to take a few bites that is fine by me. Their choice. But, believe me. I am not stocking up my freezer with nuggets, pizza, etc. Just to satisfy picky eating. I go by one rule, and one rule only in this house. "You get what you get, and you don't get upset".

A PP mentioned about her husband, and father in law being picky... You have got to be the best wife ever. My husband, did not like a meal I prepared once, and he knew he would have to fend for himself. Wound up eating a big bowl of raisin bran for dinner.

 

[minnie_michelle]

We took our kids to the EPCOT Food & Wine Festival for the first time when they were 3 & 6. We spent two afternoons/evenings nibbling our way around the lagoon and, over those two days, tried one of everything offered. The rule was that we all had to take a bite of everything but we didn't have to take a second bite of anything. There was only one thing that they didn't care for and it was something that DH and I didn't like either (it was a veggie pastry from Japan that was very mushy...perhaps it had been sitting out too long). Since that vacation our kids have been willing to try anything. They may not like it, but they try it. They have very varied tastes, enjoying everything from the regular pizza/chicken strips/burgers to escargots/frog leg chowder.

I truly believe that, in most cases, a parent's attitude toward food will trickle down to the kids. If the parent is open minded about new foods the child is more likely to be open minded about new foods. I think it is also important to not let the child have control at a young age. If you want him/her to eat a variety of foods you need to put your foot down when they only want to eat their favorites. If they don't want to eat what you've prepared let them not eat. Don't prepare something just for them or limit you meal to only the things they like. They'll eat when they get hungry enough.

Okay...flame away!

This is soooo true. Our neice and nephew are SOOOO picky and will literally only eat pasta, icecream, grapes, apples, yogurt and PB&J sandwiches and the parents ALLOW it. We all understood when they kids were super young, but now our nephew is 4 years old and they never make him eat whatever the meal is . .even if its just grilled chicken and vegetables. He will cry if you try to make him so they break down EVERYTIME and make him his pasta or give him a yogurt. It is frustrating to watch. . .especially since DH and I plan on doing the whole "you eat what we make, or you don't eat at all" Its fine to dislike a few things (lima beans and brussel sprouts are on my list) but a child should be pushed to try anything and everything at least twice before deciding.

 

[Silver Queen]

I completely agree with the OP. I, too, have read the posts about picky eaters and have had the same impression...how did children get that way? When we were raising our son chicken fingers were never served in our house for dinner. We also did not prepare alternative meals for him. There was always a variety of healthy foods served with plenty of vegetables. Our son tried small pieces of lobster at 10 months and when he was 3 he blew a waitress away by ordering Shrimp Scampi. (She couldn't believe it. She said, "For the baby?!") I do believe that aside from personal preferences here there are some valid issues including nutrition and the increasing concern about childhood obesity. A diet that consists mainly of carbos from pizza, PB&J and nuggets certainly doesn't help this growing problem.
By the way, I do feel that children with health or sensory issues don't qualify as picky issues. I've worked with children on the autistic spectrum and I know that their food issues are related to their condition.

 

[Mom21]

what type of flame? I'm really picky about the type of fire I use ...

My dd would go to the cabinet and pick out the turkey and rice stage 3 food every single meal as soon as she could walk...... So gross. She would bring it to me at 8 months and say "heat Mama". I thought she was going to be picky. I exposed her to everything that my now ex and I ate. Loves Lobster Bisque and French Onion soup. She thinks her friends are strange that they eat mac and cheese and pizza all of the time. Girl has to have her filet mignon.

My now 12yo is going to Victoria's and Alberts next trip. I was worried about her being upset that duck was on the menu(she has pet ducks). I showed her the menus and she can't wait I'll be there for my bday but couldn't get the chef table. She watches Food Network until it drives me nuts and Hell's Kitchen is one of her fav shows.

 

[TillyMarigold]

Please also realize that if a kid is even mildly picky, some don't want to deal with that on vacation.

I don't understand why people are ticked that some adults are picky. Picky IMO doesn't mean nuggets/burgers only diet. Some are picky because of dietary restrictions/allergies/digestive problems and it's easier eating simple foods.



As for kids, that's the parents responsibility. Everyone's palettes are different.

I don't think people with allergies or intolerances, or kids with sensory issues, go around saying "I'm picky!" I think they say "I can't eat dairy" or "my child has issues with sauces" or whatever. There's a huge difference. People who are proud to be "picky" are the point of this thread--not people who have a genuine reason to need something. It's like the difference between someone renting a scooter because of a disability versus someone renting a scooter because they don't feel like walking.

If someone has a medical issue, including sensory problems or whatever, then they have a medical issue and they deserve all the attention necessary to make sure their medical needs are met. OTOH, if they just don't think meat should have cinnamon in it because it's not what they grew up with and they're "picky," then they shouldn't make me wait forever to get a refill on my soda because my waiter is patiently explaining to them that no, they can't make the sauce without cinnamon and yes they could put the sauce on the side but there's cinnamon in the marinade too so no they can't make it cinnamon-free, and sure I'll go ask the chef for you, and no the chef says it's not possible,... they should just order something else on the menu and get on with it. Or eat elsewhere if it's not the sort of food they like.

 

[duffy]

I won't tolerate a "picky" child either. And I have 3. Two are in their 20s, and one is almost 14.

They all ate a huge variety of foods. My middle daughter is a vegetarian and she started cooking as a teen. We ate what she cooked, even if it was terrible, just to encourage her.

My youngest will eat just about anything but brussels sprouts and baked beans! I think it's mostly becaue I didn't make eating a big deal: I just dropped the plate down and if they didn't eat, they went hungry. I don't keep hardly any junk food in the house either, so they didn't have many choices if they were hungry other than to eat an apple, for example.

So many people act as if having a picky child means they are super-sensitive, delicate blossoms. "Picky" means "special" to them.

 

[cdrn1]

I don't think people with allergies or intolerances, or kids with sensory issues, go around saying "I'm picky!" I think they say "I can't eat dairy" or "my child has issues with sauces" or whatever. There's a huge difference. People who are proud to be "picky" are the point of this thread--not people who have a genuine reason to need something. It's like the difference between someone renting a scooter because of a disability versus someone renting a scooter because they don't feel like walking.

OP here...you hit the nail squarely on the head. That was exactly the point!

 

[mom2taylorandemily]

My kids ate completely out of their norm every trip we take to Disney. We make them eat different foods at Epcot every trip. They have found that they like Japanese, German and they've always liked Italian so we're safe there.

 

[princessmom29]

Clearly you are not a parent. My child has SID with texture issues and FTR she doesn't eat chicken fingers or pizza or hot dogs, pb&j or any other kid foods for that matter. Talk about picky. DW is not the venue to try and get a child with these issues to eat something new to them.

I am a another parent who agrees with the op. Medical issues like allergies and sensory issues are a completely seperate argument fro ma child who is picky because they are allowed to be. MY DH has a life threatening allergy to shellfish. That is different from never trying it b/c "I don't like it".

 

[DizzDoll]

Good points!
Dairy? I'd be farting my way around WDW and doubling over with gas pains.


Oh my goodness, you weren't there in August were you??? If so you nearly killed my daughter (from fumes and/or laughter...) Just kidding, really, no flames of any kind but that line was classic. Anyhoo, my kids are, shall we re-phrase "picky" to "non-adventurous", eaters. I've been trying to get them to TRY different foods from different countries for years and with the exception of LeCellier they weren't buying it until this year when we toured Morocco. I invited them to try the pitas at the Tangerine Cafe and lo and behold - they LOVED their food. A big win for us all around. Except perhaps my son who really wanted to try the lamb pita but my daughter threatened his life if he ever brought a dead sheep to the table - but they did enjoy the chicken, even with the tziziki sauce - who'da thunk. FWIW you guys definitely have to try the falafel pita - it's excellent!!

 

[Tigger-Lover]

I don't think people with allergies or intolerances, or kids with sensory issues, go around saying "I'm picky!" I think they say "I can't eat dairy" or "my child has issues with sauces" or whatever. There's a huge difference. People who are proud to be "picky" are the point of this thread--not people who have a genuine reason to need something. It's like the difference between someone renting a scooter because of a disability versus someone renting a scooter because they don't feel like walking.

If someone has a medical issue, including sensory problems or whatever, then they have a medical issue and they deserve all the attention necessary to make sure their medical needs are met. OTOH, if they just don't think meat should have cinnamon in it because it's not what they grew up with and they're "picky," then they shouldn't make me wait forever to get a refill on my soda because my waiter is patiently explaining to them that no, they can't make the sauce without cinnamon and yes they could put the sauce on the side but there's cinnamon in the marinade too so no they can't make it cinnamon-free, and sure I'll go ask the chef for you, and no the chef says it's not possible,... they should just order something else on the menu and get on with it. Or eat elsewhere if it's not the sort of food they like.

Some people (like me) don't feel like going into specifics on what they can eat or can't because of a medical issue. It's easier and faster just to say I'm picky. People around me know why I am. And if someone takes a long time with a waiter, that's the way it goes. You think your drink is important, that person thinks their dish is more important. They could think you should drink slower and just get on with it. Everyone has quirks with certain things. Some is dining, some is drinking, some is walking.

I remember reading on here that someone was highly allergic to cinnamon. Not every disney vacationer even knows that they can see menus online. I didn't until I joined here.

 

[PIRATEGIRL007]

If my sister even smells fresh fish, her lips and tongue swell and her airway constricts.


Picky isn't always a mental thing.

Wow, thats severe. So can she go to the beach?

OP I agree 100%. Our children are picky b/c they are allowed to be at there grandparents and thier mothers house. When they are with us they eat what they are given, even if its just to try it. They have adapted to the routine and know I won't fight with them about it. I dont fix special meals and won't stop at 3 different drive thru's so everyone can get what they want. Funny how children at 4 & 7 who will "ONLY eat chicken nuggets and fries" gobbled down a plate (full appetizer portion) of calamari one night and have asked if we can get it again!

 

[Ldynred812]

I have the opposite problem. My girls, ages 6.5 and 3.5 are the ones who will get SICK of the typical kids foods....chicken nuggets, hamburgers, hot dogs, etc. They LOVE fruits and veggies!!!

We booked several buffets for our ADRs. That way they can have TONS of choices for what they want to eat and we don't have to wait for the restaurant to cook/prepare the foods. We can sit down and help ourselves. When I told my oldest that we were going to buffets, she even ASKED if they will have salad bars!! LOL She doesn't eat salad exactly, but LOVES most of the fixings to put on top of the lettuce...carrots, tomatos, cheese, etc etc.

AND FWIW, comparing picky eaters to people who have serious food allergies is no where near the same for me!!!!

 

[DisCopper]

See and I disagree. I haven't "given in " to my child but I'm not going to ruin everyones vacation by making her eat something that she doesn't like the texture of. As I said she doesn't eat "kid" foods because they tend to have a grainey texture. She'd live off of broccolli if I'd let her. People take me for a picky eater not realizing that I have severe, life threatening food allergies and I have to be VERY careful about what I eat or I could die. So sometimes the chicken fingers are the only thing on the menu that is safe for me to eat. Sometimes even the salad isn't safe for me. MYOB is what people should do. It's doesn't concern them what others are eating.

Well, severe, life threatening allergies are obviously an exception. Even less severe allergies (as someone said, "farting around the parks") need to be paid attention to. You're not going to see me eating baked beans any time soon.

MYOB????? Sure thing. I really couldn't care less what other people and their kids are eating. But when it impacts me, I'm sure not going to MYOB.

When I'm with friends and their kids are freaking out because there are no nuggets on the menu. Now you're screwing up my dinner, and making me feel uncomfortable.

Years ago, I took a girlfriend to Disney. This was well before the ADR frenzy, and we pretty much had our choice of sitdown meals. As we walked around EPCOT, she told me "no" to restaurants for the following reasons:
- France: "I don't like sauces."
- Italy: "Too much cheese."
- Morocco: "Too weird."
- China & Japan: "I don't like Chinese food."
- Germany: "I don't like sausage."
- Mexico: "I don't like Mexican food."

There was more, but I don't remember it all. We ended up eating a hamburger at counter-service.

That's picky. That's annoying. And that's not something that I'm going to MYOB about. Haven't seen her in years.