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

[faindrops27]

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!

I am sure she can't go to the beach. Poor thing..

Anyhow, a lot of people are commenting about having dietary issues. Allergies, sensory issues. OP, is not talking about that at all. She is talking about people that are just plain picky. The hundreds of posts about "Picky eater alert!! Where can I go..My kids wont eat anything but nuggets, and fries help."

 

[disneyfav4ever]

Food allergies and stuff are much different then being picky simply because you don't want to try something.

 

[Dissy]

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.

No that wasn't me.
I don't want to get sick on vacation or spend extra time in public bathrooms, so I am forced to eat "inside the box" along with several other family members.

Gosh but I drool over those dole whips, slushies and malts.
And we'd love to try Boma but I'd know it would put me on the potty for hours. On the other and, I tolerate nuggets and fries quite well.

So there you have it.
Trying to lighten it up a bit here.

 

[Dissy]

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

She'd probably break out in hives at the Nemo show!
My norwegian dad almost killed her with a fishball.

Ok, nuf from me.
Happy eating!

 

[honeydiane1953]

And imo when folks tell you someone is picky THEN asks for your opinion on where to eat. Give me a break. I don't care when, where, what you eat. You have taught your kids to be picky so deal with it.

 

[Tigger-Lover]

And imo when folks tell you someone is picky THEN asks for your opinion on where to eat. Give me a break. I don't care when, where, what you eat. You have taught your kids to be picky so deal with it.

They probably aren't asking you or others that get ticked on hearing that they/their kids are picky. They are asking others who understand how hard it is to deal with picky eaters, where to eat. That's how they are dealing with it.

 

[scojos]

i just wanted to say how interesting i have found this thread, and add more thoughts.
I too have severe food allergies, i explain them in detail and get them noted on adrs, so staff are aware when i arrive, it worked very well for the last few visits, and it meant no one was disturbed by me holding up wait staff
Ds has ASD but has the opposite effect and would eat nothing of the kids menus last year, in general, as they were preparing a "special" meal for me, the chef just did him whatever i was eating, he ll eat anything, and i mean anything, as long as it looks like what it should. he lives on fruit and veg, struggles with "mushed food - no nuggets, no soup etc.
i have actively encouraged my 3 kids to eat everything, they do have things they wont eat - mushrooms, ds12 wont eat gammon, and will eat everything else... but dont we all have things we chose not to eat? mins olives, lucky dh loves them
i do agree with OP- especially during FD when your not "paying" chose different options and try new things! (i d also like to add that the food is "disneyed" down, and often not as genuinely spiced as it would be if you ate in that country, an ideal way for kids to be introduced to new foods.)
i just love an interesting debate!
Tracyx

 

[jrc-elpaso]

The one thing I think of when someone mentions a "picky" child is why is the parent letting a 2 or 3 year old dictate where the family eats. While I don't think mealtimes should be battles, there are times when Mom and Dad need to make the decisions.

 

[ScottOKW2K]

Every year we play games for different WDW trip prizes. Last year my husband won "TS Restaurant of Choice" - we usually do a lot of CS. Anyway he picked Teppan Edo! I needed to hide the "yuck" face and tell the kids to stop whining about a 100 times.

Well now they are BEGGING to go back. We were so happy we "flamed" up our palets and tried something new! Jiko's is our big adventure this year, plus getting spoiled with the FD - hopefully I can get my husband hooked!

Kinda describes my daughter and myself. We tried Teppan Edo last trip, and have now booked it as our choice for Thanksgiving dinner next trip, Great food and great fun !

As far as Jiko - one of the best dining choices at WDW. Definitely try the flatbread or the ostritch appetizers, both are delicious.

BTW - this is from a "picky eater."

 

[goofy4tink]

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.

Believe me....I don't think my dd is 'special' but she is 'discriminating' in what she eats. And you know what's truly funny? The doctor thinks dd's diet is just fine. She is lactose intolerant, so that leaves out a lot of things she can eat a lot of. Her stomach can't handle much greasy,fried food. But, that doesn't make her special....or a sensitive, delicate blossom. I find that somewhat offensive to be honest.
I said before...I have three kids...35, 33 and 15. My two eldest would eat anything that didn't get away from them. They were gnawing on pork chop bones at the age of 4...still eat anything that isn't quicker than they are. How do you explain the youngest??? She has a limited diet..her choice, nothing different I did. She is not a big meat eater..will eat a cheeseburger, sometimes steak. Maybe chicken breast but not a piece of ham or a pork chop.
I don't keep a bunch of snack food in the house...not a lot of cookies, chips, ice cream etc. She does have pretzals, but that's about it.
It's a little off-putting to have people come here and give their 'opinions' on why our children (children they have never met) eat the way they do. My dd does not dictate where we eat. If she can't find something to eat on the menu, that's her problem. I am basically a pretty basic eater, while dh is much more adventurous...so, we eat at restaurants that serve food we both like...if I can find something to eat, then so can my dd. If she can't, it's her choice.
But 'special' or 'sensitive'? No..just a teenager with her own food likes and dislikes. Doctor says she is as healthy as a horse, and her diet is a very good one....although she doesn't order 'strange to her' food at restaurants. You all sound like my mother-in-law...'Oh poor Kate...she is missing out on so much in life. She really needs to try different foods. She just misses so much.' No, she doesn't. When she is ready to try new things, she will. Food is a battle you just can't win...ever.

 

[MarkinNM]

After reading this thread I wouldn’t say that too many are “picky eaters”, rather more uneducated eaters, in that they really don’t know about the many wonderful different foods to delight. Seems like some so called picky eaters have indeed ventured out of their own box and have tried some wonderful foods. If the picky eaters are ok with the same things over and over so what, its their meal, time, money. I have opened my kids palette up from the start in giving them different foods to try, sure they like some and did not like others, but hey they tried. Most kids are picky eaters because of their own parents food tastes, but rest assured as they get older they will venture out and hopefully try something different……….

 

[pta-mom]

Believe me....I don't think my dd is 'special' but she is 'discriminating' in what she eats. And you know what's truly funny? The doctor thinks dd's diet is just fine. She is lactose intolerant, so that leaves out a lot of things she can eat a lot of. Her stomach can't handle much greasy,fried food. But, that doesn't make her special....or a sensitive, delicate blossom. I find that somewhat offensive to be honest.
I said before...I have three kids...35, 33 and 15. My two eldest would eat anything that didn't get away from them. They were gnawing on pork chop bones at the age of 4...still eat anything that isn't quicker than they are. How do you explain the youngest??? She has a limited diet..her choice, nothing different I did. She is not a big meat eater..will eat a cheeseburger, sometimes steak. Maybe chicken breast but not a piece of ham or a pork chop.
I don't keep a bunch of snack food in the house...not a lot of cookies, chips, ice cream etc. She does have pretzals, but that's about it.
It's a little off-putting to have people come here and give their 'opinions' on why our children (children they have never met) eat the way they do. My dd does not dictate where we eat. If she can't find something to eat on the menu, that's her problem. I am basically a pretty basic eater, while dh is much more adventurous...so, we eat at restaurants that serve food we both like...if I can find something to eat, then so can my dd. If she can't, it's her choice.
But 'special' or 'sensitive'? No..just a teenager with her own food likes and dislikes. Doctor says she is as healthy as a horse, and her diet is a very good one....although she doesn't order 'strange to her' food at restaurants. You all sound like my mother-in-law...'Oh poor Kate...she is missing out on so much in life. She really needs to try different foods. She just misses so much.' No, she doesn't. When she is ready to try new things, she will. Food is a battle you just can't win...ever.

Amen Sister!! Well said!

It's not a crime because we have a kid (or more than one) that can be described as "picky"! Big deal!! And saying that it somehow RUINS your dining experience is ridicules! I mean really....how often does a kid at the table next to you pitch a fit because there's no chicken nuggets???

Look, we all parent different but I think we all parent to the best of our abilities, out of love for our kids. And if our parenting style "causes" a kid to be picky....so what? They'll out grow it or not but really....judging some parent because they have picky eaters????? C'mon!

My terribly "lax" parent style has "caused" one of my kids (yes, only one!) to be a little picky....we're in the parks mid-September so take this as your warning!! Wouldn't want my "picky eater" ruining your trip!! LOL!

 

[snykymom]

After reading this thread I wouldn’t say that too many are “picky eaters”, rather more uneducated eaters, in that they really don’t know about the many wonderful different foods to delight. Seems like some so called picky eaters have indeed ventured out of their own box and have tried some wonderful foods. If the picky eaters are ok with the same things over and over so what, its their meal, time, money. I have opened my kids palette up from the start in giving them different foods to try, sure they like some and did not like others, but hey they tried. Most kids are picky eaters because of their own parents food tastes, but rest assured as they get older they will venture out and hopefully try something different……….

But IMO, "picky" doesn't mean "uneducated." It could mean "tried it & don't like it."

My d can be an adventurous eater. But she doesn't like seafood. Tried it several times, in different preparations. Doesn't like it. So should I book Coral Reef just because? No, there are plenty of other places. And you know what? When she comes home, I don't cook seafood.

My husband hates lamb, but I love it. So whenever it's on the menu, I order it when we go out, but I don't make it at home. Is he "too picky"?

I love the taste of Indian and Szechuan foods, but cannot tolerate a lot of heat. Should I order the hottest curry just so I'm not being "picky"?

I dislike chicken breast, but love dark meat chicken. So I'll go looking for the places that allow you to, for example, get dark meat in your chicken caesar salad. Does that make me "picky"? And please don't try to tell me that I just haven't tasted enough white meat!

"Picky" is often short-hand for "discriminating" as another poster said. No one eats everything, and I don't care how "non-picky" you think you are; there are things you don't like.

 

[DizzDoll]

....how often does a kid at the table next to you pitch a fit because there's no chicken nuggets???

Oh, dear, you just described my nephew. Many a time while visiting Disney with these particular relatives (who I love dearly - just have to interject that early on this post) and eating at some very nice restaurants, my nephew tossed many a major hissy because there were no nuggets or pasta on the menu. I mean angry, nasty, ugly, what the hell is wrong with this kid kind of tantrums. When we were at Tony's one year the staff went waaaay out of their way to get him a plate of Mickey ravioli, which he ate with his bare hands, chomping and slurping loudly and disgustingly. Why? Because he was allowed to get away with this behavior. Does this classify him as a picky eater? No, and you all know what it classifies him as.

Personally I don't like cooked carrots and happily flick them off my plate if they're served with the meal. Does that make me a picky eater? Yes, with excellent carrot-flicking prowess.

 

[MarkinNM]

But IMO, "picky" doesn't mean "uneducated." It could mean "tried it & don't like it."

My d can be an adventurous eater. But she doesn't like seafood. Tried it several times, in different preparations. Doesn't like it. So should I book Coral Reef just because? No, there are plenty of other places. And you know what? When she comes home, I don't cook seafood.

My husband hates lamb, but I love it. So whenever it's on the menu, I order it when we go out, but I don't make it at home. Is he "too picky"?

I love the taste of Indian and Szechuan foods, but cannot tolerate a lot of heat. Should I order the hottest curry just so I'm not being "picky"?

I dislike chicken breast, but love dark meat chicken. So I'll go looking for the places that allow you to, for example, get dark meat in your chicken caesar salad. Does that make me "picky"? And please don't try to tell me that I just haven't tasted enough white meat!

"Picky" is often short-hand for "discriminating" as another poster said. No one eats everything, and I don't care how "non-picky" you think you are; there are things you don't like.

Sure but from what I have read here most kids are picky because of their parents, I LOVE spicy food but don’t really care for curry, a picky eater is someone who goes to Citricos and asks for a hotdog.....Liking a different cut or part such as you liking dark meat is not picky as your still eating chicken and not in nugget form......
Picky is NOT discriminating, it is more of being blinded in not even considering trying something different……………

There is a HUGE difference in not liking a certain type of food and in not even trying it and saying they are picky, “give them nuggets and fries”, especially if the menu if a large one, like the OP said open up, try it………..

 

[sotoalf]

Most of us are using the wrong words. According to Webster's dictionary and my own understanding of the word, "picky" suggests "discriminating" -- someone who prefers filet to ribeye, merlot over cabernets, scalloped potatoes over broccoli. If you're looking for a word to describe someone reluctant to experiment with new dishes, then h/she is "unadventurous," and there's nothing wrong with it. However, calling him/her "picky" is giving them too much credit and is euphemistic.

 

[Toystoryfan32]

My kids are super picky but I have never viewed it as a bad thing. My youngest DD prefers lima beans, black eyed peas and mushrooms over most other vegetables. She also likes her chicken boiled instead of grilled.
She and my oldest always argue over carrots because one likes them cooked and one prefers them raw. They both enjoy noodles with no sauce and neither one of them liked french fries until recently. I just try to incorporate their favs into our meals for the week but I also add veggies etc that my husband and I like. And I try not to let her see me choke down those lima beans and chase it with milk.

 

[Stinky_Pete]

It's funny. I've been reading this thread and now wonder if I'm "picky". I never thought I was but...

I tried lamb once. I didn't care for it. I go to Restaurant Marrakesh but don't order any of the lamb dishes. Maybe I would like it prepared a different way, but I'm not willing to order and pay for an entree that I may not be able to eat.

I don't like salmon. So many people love it -- for a while I thought there was something wrong with me. My ex loved it and whenever he would order it I would try a little bite. I kept thinking maybe I'll like it prepared like this? Or maybe I'll like it with this sauce? You know what - after 10 years of trying that I finally realized I just don't like salmon. And that's o.k.

But I think what we're really talking about is the people who believe their children will starve without nuggets and won't try any vegetables. Or the kids who won't eat any cheese if the Kraft name isn't on it. I've known a couple of people like that. I told them it was Kraft and they loved it even though it was Land o Lakes!

 

[Planogirl]

There's things I don't like so where is the picky line drawn? I respect my son not liking certain things just as I don't so I'm not sure if he would really be picky or not.

Besides is vacation time really a good time for food battles? I can see trying new things but what if they don't like whatever this new thing is? Do you force them to eat it anyway?

 

[DisCopper]

And saying that it somehow RUINS your dining experience is ridicules! I mean really....how often does a kid at the table next to you pitch a fit because there's no chicken nuggets???

Ruins it? No. Makes the meal less pleasant? Yes.

How often does a kid at the next table pitch a fit because there's no chicken nuggets? Really, not often. In my 40 or so years, I've seen it probably twice.

(High pitched scream) "I want nuggets!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

More often, it's the parents that are causing the fuss. The kids are quietly whining and the parents are demanding that the waiter bring something that is off menu (nuggets, peanut butter and jelly, etc...). I saw one woman who wanted a grilled cheese sandwich for her son. She demanded to see the manager and begin shouting at him that it was ridiculous that she couldn't be accommodated. This was at a pretty upscale restaurant. The manager was quietly explaining that they didn't even have bread to make a sandwich (they had some sort of breadsticks). The family left in a huff. This entire scene took place about 3 feet away from me. Did it ruin the night? Nope. But it was definitely distracting.

I eat out a lot, and I've seen similar situations (although not as bad as this one) a bunch of times over the years. Bad behavior in restaurants is commonplace and not restricted to the picky eaters.

I don't judge parents who have kids who are picky. I was picky as a kid (I think I was the only kid in America who didn't like spaghetti and meatballs and veggies were EVIL). I grew out of it and now, I'll eat almost anything.

I DO judge parents who allow their kids to throw fits in restaurants (churches, etc...). By allow, I mean that they don't do anything about it and don't remove the child from the situation.

I also judge people who throw their own fits at restaurants. Complaints can be handled quietly and discretely, with respect for the other patrons.