What to do when a child is addicted to Spaghettios?

[Rafikifan]

I have a good friend who is taking her family to WDW for the first time this summer. I've been helping to advise her about her trip but this one I am stumped on since although my children would prefer to eat pizza or chicken nuggets all the time if we let them, they will eat different types of food and we've never had a problem finding things they like at Disney restaurants. Her youngest (4 yo dd) only eats a couple of things. Kraft mac and cheese, and yes, Spaghettios. I've told her there are plenty of places that she can order mac and cheese although I can't say if it's Kraft or not. She wants to know if she brings cans of Spagettios, can opener, bowl, etc. how she can heat them up. They're staying at the All Stars. I told her no sort of hot plate is allowed in the rooms but I have no clue if there is a microwave available for use in the food court for guests to use. It seems like I've heard of them on the boards at certain places but I don't know if they are only for heating up rolls, danishes, etc. that are purchased in the food court, and not for brought in food. I know when she first told me that her dd would only eat 2 or 3 things I was skeptical. After babysitting for her and offering all kinds of things I came to realize the child really only wants Spaghettios. Thanks for any advice I can pass on.

 

[momof2sons]

There is a microwave in the food court seating area. I read this here on this board about microwave popcorn. I have a child who loves his popcorn snack.

 

[campingcorgi]

She can get the microwavable container of Spaghettio's, too. I'd also get some of the small popup cans and take them into the parks for meals there. They'll be warm enough they won't need any heating!

 

[vicb]

Wow! I thought my DS was picky! I can sympathize as I have been known to carry ketchup packets and small tupperware of peanut butter in my purse! But we try to make DS order from the menu in resturants, we think it is the only way he'll get more diversified. It has helped, at SAI he ordered a chicken quesadilla (unassembled and ate the parts separate). He hates butter but will put peanutbutter on any bread or rolls at a resturant.

 

[polkadotminnie]

You might be able to request a coffee pot and warm them in there?

 

[mco-missy]

Yes, there is a microwave in the food court at the All Stars. We used it to cook the microwave mac & cheese that we brought with us. You will be able to use it to heat up "gettio's" (as my niece used to call them.

 

[Kae]

I thought Prime time @MGM had spaghettios on their menu?

Kae

 

[tar heel]

Prime Time DOES have spaghetti-Os on its menu, but they are NOTHING like the canned ones. They were served with a chunky marinara sauce -- think Olive Garden instead of Franco American. My son is not particularly picky, but he didn't like them and shared my meatloaf plate instead.

 

[JESW]

Oh I feel her pain...

I also have a VERY picky child, my DS8. Spaghetti o's was one of his favorites but he ate them so many times he is now sick of then

This may sound gross, but my DD4 eats her spaghetti o's right out of the can - no heating up! Would your friends child do that?

The other posters had good suggestions for micro waves.

Jill

 

[Rafikifan]

Thank you so much for your responses. She'll be happy to know that there will be a microwave to heat them up. But, yes, I would guess her dd might eat them cold if she had to lol. I assured her that this was just a phase. My 3 children have gone through picky stages at one time or another. They'd like and eat something and all of a sudden one day out of the blue (without having it so often they were sick of it) they wouldn't like it anymore. We do have a deal now that they at least have to try one bite before they decide they aren't going to eat it (as long as it's something I think that they will like knowing their tastes.) It can be frustrating as a parent but I do understand it since I came from a meat and potatoes family. I got over it as an adult and have learned to eat many things they won't touch. It does limit choices when I invite them to dinner though. Meat, potatoes, rolls, and maybe as long as there's no sauce or extras a vegetable.

 

[twinmomplus2]

All stars does have a micowave in the food court. My suggestion is to purchase an insulated thermos, heat them in the micro and off to the parks you go. I did this once with oodles of noodles for my then 16 mt old twins. I was sick of fried food for them. However it was awful the cleaners at Pecos Bills cafe are probably still cursing me. What a mess despite getting down to clean the floor the stuff stuck like cement, Now I figure fried won't kill them in a weeks time...

 

[Howling Howie]

JESW, I am so glad to hear of someone else who allows their children to eat spag o's out of the can! My mother was mortified when she realized I always kept a can in my glove compartment for "emergencies". I also have a very finicky eater, but getting better in the last year. Ate spag o's every day for lunch right out of the can. If they have to be warm, I'd go for the thermos idea after microwaving, but I'd really push for "out of the can" with pop-up lids. Would the child eat yogurt or fruit? You can buy small portion of peaches and pears and applesauce to complement the spag o's. My daughter often eats crackers and cheese for lunch also, but cheese might be hard to keep cool enough for a backpack. BTW, when I mentioned to my pedi that all my DD would eat was spag o's, he said that out of the many fastfoods available to toddlers, this was one of the best, much better than chicken nuggets or mac and cheese. So, don't fret. Also, another treat that my kids love (and only get on vacation) is fruit sundaes for a meal here or there. A little ice cream never hurt anyone and if you can get them to eat nuts and fruit for toppings, you've hit alot of the major food groups. Don't know how you're going to sneak the broccoli in though.

 

[grinningghost]

I can relate. My DD is almost 14 and is STILL addicted to Spaghettios. She eats them at least 4 times a week for lunch, dinner or a late night snack. I suppose it could be worse, they say Spaghettios is sort of healthy.

 

[pennyplanner]

You have got to be kidding.

--penny

 

[madcoco]

Uh Oh Spaghettio's
SpaghettiOs Plus Calcium offer the same amount of calcium as a glass of milk. They also provide a full serving of vegetables and grains and are a good source of Vitamin A, Iron , Riboflavin and Folic Acid.
Grand Rapids, Michigan is the "SpaghettiOs Capital of the World" because per-capita consumption is highest in that city, per the Franco-American company.(Campbells) Reportedly, there are more than 1,750 "O's" in a 15-ounce can of SpaghettiOs.

Anyone count them lately?

 

[Jordan's MOM]

Remember that tomato sauce is a cancer fighting food!!! My DS at 10 is still so picky but does not like spaghettos, but neither will he eat the mac & Cheese at WDW either. Some of it is stoffers so that might be an option if she likes that. Just a mention that there is a microwave in the baby centers at each park, i think. That might be a way to heat one of those microwave containers in the park. We too have used the microwave in the food courts with no problems. There is a toaster there too if that helps. My DS was on a pop tart bienge one trip and they had to be toasted!!!!
This too will pass.


Jordan's mom

 

[erikthewise]

FWIW Bob Evans restaurants serve Kraft macaroni & cheese as a kid's meal (at least they do in Ohio). There are a couple along 192 in Kissimmee. Of course you'd have to be borderline bonkers to go to Bob Evans for that reason, but if you enjoy eating there anyway...

 

[Belle5]

JESW,
I sure hope you're right about it being ok to eat spaghettios right out of the can without heating! I bought some for my three teen boys today to take on a canoeing trip where they needed all "waterproof" foods. I remembered what you said when I was shopping for them and thought, "Well, why not?" They may not like the taste but it will fill up their empty spot. (Spaghettios plus canned pears and several other items!)

 

[Samandmom]

Spaghettios from the can are great. Don't forget the meatball ones.

 

[SoonerKate]

I'm 20 and I still love Spaghetti'os. (Though I have branched out and will eat just about anything. )

My parents took me to a very gourmet restaurant in Illinois (302 West in Geneva, for anyone from the area) shortly after it opened. The chefs fussed over me and made all kinds of things just for me -- fruit plates, plain spaghetti, breaded chicken strips, all kinds of great things to try to get me to eat. What did I do? I sat there, pouting with my lip stuck out as far as it would go and said," I don't like any of this. Can't I just have spaghetti'os?"

Not my best moment, but I think I was about 4-5 years old.

They are great right out of the can, though! You can easily heat them up in a food court microwave -- I would try to get the kind that specifically come in a microwaveable bowl. (With a pop top lid and a plastic lid for heating, do you know what I'm talking about?)