really inane mac n cheese question

[joanne1968]

I know my daughter is going to live on chicken nuggets when we spend 17 days in CA, because she is not a great eater and I won't be able to find things she likes. I see a lot of childrens menus have mac n cheese, she likes pasta and she likes cheese, so I thought I should try this out on her. In UK macaroni cheese is basically macaroni in a cheesy roux sauce with extra cheese on top and put under the grill. Is this the same as mac n cheese?

 

[being-dragged-to-DL]

believe it or not, it varies. But what you describe is certainly one version... Sometimes, you can fin mac 'n cheese that is very basic elbow macaroni boiled, and then a dry cheese powder mixed in with milk. Having it topped with cheese and broiled is a luxury that nicer restaurants will have. If she likes one, she'll more than likely like them all. I'd certainly try it out. If all else fails, try it with a tiny squirt of ranch salad dressing on top. That is a kid pleaser in my house. A lot of less expensive restaurants and deli's just open up a can of the stuff.
A lot of restaurants in DL seem to serve peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and fresh fruit. Does she like them? I am relying on that as a fall back. Also, noodles with alfredo sauce. And grilled cheese sandwhiches. My kids are extremely hard to feed. They dont like anything, so I can relate to you. If any of this is "new" to you over there, let me know and I can describe them. Im a gourmet cook, as long as the main course if PBJ!

 

[Alex2kMommy]

I read somewhere that one of the restaurants brings the peanut butter and jelly sandwich unassembled on a painter's palette (along with a few other goodies, like raisins and mini-marshmallows.) The child gets to create their own sandwich! This sounded cute, and fun for a picky eater. My DS5 is sometimes a picky eater, but LOVES PB&J, and I think would love this! (If anyone happens to remember which restaurant does this, please chime in; otherwise I'll try to find it and post.)

PS. DS5 in the past has been very picky about eating only Kraft mac & cheese. Only recently has he eaten the nicer versions with real cheddar and other cheeses!

 

[Mom2micayla]

I read somewhere that one of the restaurants brings the peanut butter and jelly sandwich unassembled on a painter's palette (along with a few other goodies, like raisins and mini-marshmallows.) The child gets to create their own sandwich! This sounded cute, and fun for a picky eater. My DS5 is sometimes a picky eater, but LOVES PB&J, and I think would love this! (If anyone happens to remember which restaurant does this, please chime in; otherwise I'll try to find it and post.)

That would be Carnation Cafe on Main Street in Disneyland.

http://www.dlresortinfo.com/DisneylandMenus/carnation/carnationkidslundin.html

 

[munchkinsmom]

I totally understand. My kids are picky eaters too. A bit OT, but they sell mozzarella sticks meals which are mozzarella cheese sticks fried in a breaded coating. Do you think your daughter would like eating these? It includes dipping sauce. You can find them in Frontierland at Disneyland and at Paradise Pier in California Adventure.

Just another option to consider eating. Have a great time.

 

[joanne1968]

I have the painters palette pbj on the list as mentioned, because I don't think she would eat a pbj, wouldn't like the jelly but may eat the things seperately. She wouldn't eat toasted cheese sandwich or the mozarella things, or ranch dressing. She wasn't even keen on American pizza when we were in florida last year. She will eat a plain burger (not in a bun) and chicken nuggets, won't contemplate trying a hot dog that is her full repertoire for Disney.

I would not like you to think she is unhealthy though she does eat fruit and veg, just doesn't like mixed food. We recently got her to eat fish pie which was quite a coup.

 

[Alex2kMommy]

Our kids like a lot of the fried or fatty foods offered in the park (hotdogs, mac & cheese, hamburgers & fries, chicken nuggets), so it's just a matter of how much I'm willing to let them have. DH and I are not too keen on most of it ourselves, so we'll be looking for non-fried options.

Several places mention fruit plates, and grilled or roasted chicken, deli sandwiches. Buffets may be a good choice, then she can pick and choose which items to eat from a wide variety, or at least will be willing to try a new food and not waste a whole meal if she hates it. That seems to work well when our little guy is finicky.

 

[joanne1968]

I agree, I am hoping the buffets may provide something to tempt her, the problem is the thinner she gets the fatter I get! Gobbling up her leftovers. I intend to get some fruit for snacking on. The problem is I am a non meat eater and she is a meateater (well sausages bacon and chicken) so its not as though she can share what I am having, I also don't want to waste money. We will take each meal as it comes I think

 

[cfrith]

If she doesn't like things mixed together, like my daughter, we always ask for "sides" of just about everything: lunch meats- ham, turkey, cheese slices, are our favorites. Would she eat that? Also, we are planning on stopping at a grocery store or Target for snacks for at the hotel. You could get lunch meats, cheese, soup and eat these healthier foods when in the hotel if she's not eating much in the parks. We're also getting nuts and granola bars.

 

[cfrith]

I agree, I am hoping the buffets may provide something to tempt her, the problem is the thinner she gets the fatter I get! Gobbling up her leftovers. I intend to get some fruit for snacking on. The problem is I am a non meat eater and she is a meateater (well sausages bacon and chicken) so its not as though she can share what I am having, I also don't want to waste money. We will take each meal as it comes I think

If you ask for sides of lunch meat and cheese slices, they won't charge you much- if anything at all!

 

[joanne1968]

I think we will probably be trying a combination of all these things, she does eat things like ham and cheese but she is picky and is not consistent with those sorts of foods, and I just hate to waste food and money. But I certainly can't have her eating chicken nuggets 3 times a day. I am taking her breakfast cereal with us, so she can start the day off right in our hotel room.

 

[Glynis]

Try the Plaza restaurant! We went last September, and I was afraid my kids would be the same as yours; always eating the chicken nuggets. At the Plaza, one DD got a pasta meal, like spaghetti only with shells, and DS got a drumstick with mashed potatoes and carrots. The two littlest ones ate of my plate, so that was good. We found the quality of the food really good, and my kids begged to go back there more and more. I enjoyed my pasta and DH LOVED his Cobb salad!

 

[Snow Brite]

What about breakfast foods? Will she eat pancakes or waffles or eggs or oatmeal? If these are more popular you might be able to have cereal in the room in the morning before you leave and then eat breakfast at the last possible time for an early lunch. I find this works well for my one that can be hard to please. I dont usually play too much into the picky eater thing, but on their vacation I try to have things the way they like them as much as possible.

Just an idea!

 

[joanne1968]

Snowbrite that is definitely a possibility she will eat scrambled eggs and maybe pancakes