What's so bad about the new kids menu

[jillyjoey]

I really don't understand why so many are complaining ... personally I am grateful that Disney is adding healthy choices. Last time at Disney, I was happy to see some healthy options and the availability to buy fresh fruit. I will welcome more. I certainly don't want my kids eating crap every meal for the 7 days that we are there. Yes, there are times for junk food -- but not every day. Childhood obesity is an academic in this country. We all have to step up to the plate and take responsibility. Disney is doing this.

I calorie shocked my DS (10) the other day when he was eating a double quarter pounder -- 700+ calories. (If I had known before he ordered - I wouldn't have let him get it ) He will not have another one -- I can assure you. I am grateful to restaurants that have stepped up to the challenge like Wendy's in offering healthy choices and just so everyone knows that when given the choice at Wendy's between fries or yogurt -- my DD(4) picks yogurt everytime. And both of my kids prefer the apple grape salad at McD to fries with their meals there. (Trust me -- we are not earthy-crunchy or anything -- my DH states that Doritos can be classified as a vegetable (corn)). I am glad that my children can enjoy different foods and I relish the fact that when we eat out -- they can have a non-fattening, non-artery hardening alternative. If they only eat fries and chicken nuggets as kids -- that is what they will eat as adults.


And -- for those who have picky eaters -- you certainly didn't have my mom or my husband's mom growing up -- you had to eat what mom made or you didn't eat at all. And that is the rule in our house today. (My kids eat mushrooms, olives, hummus, eggplant, zucchini and other "gross" foods because the rule is they have to try it -- if they don't like it -- they can substitute something else)

Go ahead -- flame away... I've put my flame-retardant suit on.

 

[drag n' fly]

I really don't understand why so many are complaining ... personally I am grateful that Disney is adding healthy choices. Last time at Disney, I was happy to see some healthy options and the availability to buy fresh fruit. I will welcome more. I certainly don't want my kids eating crap every meal for the 7 days that we are there. Yes, there are times for junk food -- but not every day. Childhood obesity is an academic in this country. We all have to step up to the plate and take responsibility. Disney is doing this.

I calorie shocked my DS (10) the other day when he was eating a double quarter pounder -- 700+ calories. (If I had known before he ordered - I wouldn't have let him get it ) He will not have another one -- I can assure you. I am grateful to restaurants that have stepped up to the challenge like Wendy's in offering healthy choices and just so everyone knows that when given the choice at Wendy's between fries or yogurt -- my DD(4) picks yogurt everytime. And both of my kids prefer the apple grape salad at McD to fries with their meals there. (Trust me -- we are not earthy-crunchy or anything -- my DH states that Doritos can be classified as a vegetable (corn)). I am glad that my children can enjoy different foods and I relish the fact that when we eat out -- they can have a non-fattening, non-artery hardening alternative. If they only eat fries and chicken nuggets as kids -- that is what they will eat as adults.


And -- for those who have picky eaters -- you certainly didn't have my mom or my husband's mom growing up -- you had to eat what mom made or you didn't eat at all. And that is the rule in our house today. (My kids eat mushrooms, olives, hummus, eggplant, zucchini and other "gross" foods because the rule is they have to try it -- if they don't like it -- they can substitute something else)

Go ahead -- flame away... I've put my flame-retardant suit on.

Sorry.....no flaming here! I completely agree with you! I was reading the other day that 65% of Americans are considered obese and Canada is not far behind. I am glad to see it being made available. I have read on some other threads that they are still offering the "old menu" if you request it. Is this true?

 

[andriade]

Personally, I think it's the healthy options they have chosen that makes me not like it. My kids never get fries but they do get the nuggets. I don't think they will eat COLD grilled chicken strips. They might eat it warm with ketchup. Neither one of my kids eat salad, fruit salad, yes, but not veggie salad. They will eat pizza but not sure about a pita pizza. I love being able to ask for fruit instead of fries, sometimes I even request rice but the choices they have I don't think work for my kids. I like some of the choices though. I just hope they have enough variety for a week at WDW.

I agree that obesity is an EPIDEMIC in this country. However, a week on vacation probably isn't the problem. It does all start at home.

I admit that I look forward to the food while at WDW. I guess I'll be sharing the ton of food I will get on the dining plan! That's fine with me!

 

[bartleby1]

And -- for those who have picky eaters -- you certainly didn't have my mom or my husband's mom growing up -- you had to eat what mom made or you didn't eat at all. And that is the rule in our house today. (My kids eat mushrooms, olives, hummus, eggplant, zucchini and other "gross" foods because the rule is they have to try it -- if they don't like it -- they can substitute something else)

Go ahead -- flame away... I've put my flame-retardant suit on.

I'm not flaming you, we all have different beliefs on how to raise our kids, but I'm curious as to how you would handle my third child who is an extremely picky eater. I am seriously looking for advice from someone who has been able to raise non-picky children.

My 6 yr old DD will eat just about anything and will ALWAYS at least try what is put in front of her. My 4 yr old DS will try most things when forced to, although, he is definitely more picky than my oldest. My almost 2 year old is the pickiest kid I've ever seen!! Once we got off of the baby food (which she ate without any problem), I have not been able to get a single veggie into her mouth. She won't even try it. We offer veggies during every dinner but they just sit on her plate. She eats a few fruits but no veggies. She also won't eat pasta or meat. I've tried not giving her anything else but she just stares at her plate of food and refuses to try any of it. She will announce that she is "done". She wouldn't care if she starved. Our pediatrician just tells us not to battle with her, because you can't force a child to eat and it will just turn into a power struggle. She says to just keep offering it. I used to believe that if a child got hungry enough, they would eat what was offered, but my third has proven me wrong, lol! She'll eat yoplait yogurt, french fries, bread and some fruits. That is it. Did you use the "you'll eat what I make or starve" approach on a 1 year old? How long did you let them starve for? I really am not trying to flame you, I'm just at a loss as to how to fix a picky kid. I KNOW that she will not eat off the disney kids menu, lol!

BTW, as many others have expressed, it isn't the food offered on the kids menus that is the problem. It is the fact that disney needs to offer a larger variety of meals for kids if they want us to eat three meals a day for an entire vacation on property. A kid can only eat so many carrot sticks, applesauce, and mickey crackers. Even my oldest was so sick of applesauce after 12 days of disney that she wouldn't eat it for weeks afterwards (and that was one of her favorite foods before our trip!).

 

[jillyjoey]

Did you use the "you'll eat what I make or starve" approach on a 1 year old? How long did you let them starve for? I really am not trying to flame you, I'm just at a loss as to how to fix a picky kid. I KNOW that she will not eat off the disney kids menu, lol!

BTW, as many others have expressed, it isn't the food offered on the kids menus that is the problem. It is the fact that disney needs to offer a larger variety of meals for kids if they want us to eat three meals a day for an entire vacation on property. A kid can only eat so many carrot sticks, applesauce, and mickey crackers. Even my oldest was so sick of applesauce after 12 days of disney that she wouldn't eat it for weeks afterwards (and that was one of her favorite foods before our trip!).

1. Actually -- I may be lucky in the no picky eater area my baby eats anything and always has -- pretty much amazes us all the time what she will eat. DS(10) is the picky one -- his only veggies-- broccoli and green beans (recently tried zucchini and liked it). And no I didn't use eat or or starve when they were 1, but then they weren't eating the same dinner as us. Does she eat any veggies at all -- have you tried giving them to her raw. Carrot sticks are an acceptable substitute to an undesirable veggie in our house.

2. If the kids meal are a problem -- why can't the parent just switch something off their plate onto the kids -- like-- why can't the parent swap out the carrots or applesauce for something else or give the child some of their mashed potatoes? (I for one --do not need the mashed potatoes) (interesting note: had my kids in with me at the dr.-- she stated that neither one of them need to be eating mashed potatoes anyway, DS is devastated and now only gets mashed potatoes with his school lunch menu or on the rare occasion that we eat out).

Last point -- not directed at any post however, -- with everyone reporting that they GAIN weight while at Disney -- shouldn't we welcome healthy menu changes. All I am saying that it takes alot of work to lose those 3-5 pounds you gained -- is the over-eating really worth it. (Sorry about this to those that are offended but you guys are talking to someone that has a medical problem that is prohibiting me from losing weight even with lots of exercise and restricted diet -- I can't afford to gain any weight).

 

[jillyjoey]

Bartleby:

Just thought of another idea for you. Does she like spaghetti? DH is not a veggie eater -- but I sneak them in spaghetti sauce-- just cook veggies then puree and add to spaghetti sauce. Been doing it for years and he is none the wiser.

 

[robinb]

I have a very picky eater and I actually like the new menu better. It means that there will always be an option of cheese pita pizza (I heard they will remove the chicken), dipping veggies/fruit, mac n' cheese or spaghetti. We ate at a couple of restaurants where it was difficult for us to order something she would eat.

The biggest problem is that the menus will all be the same. My DD will be bored with the same Kim Possible menu in no time.

 

[mhaley]

I have no problem with the new kids menu if it is in addition to the old menues. I would like my child to have the option of ordering fish at the Coral Reef, steak at LeCellier, something Mexican at San Angelo etc. A hot dog does not always have to be an option but there must be a variety from restaurant to restaurant.

 

[bartleby1]

Bartleby:

Just thought of another idea for you. Does she like spaghetti? DH is not a veggie eater -- but I sneak them in spaghetti sauce-- just cook veggies then puree and add to spaghetti sauce. Been doing it for years and he is none the wiser.

Unfortunately, no, she won't eat any kind of pasta or spaghetti either. I really wonder how this kid gets through the day sometimes. I did try adding fruits and veggies into her pancakes in the morning, but that was no good either. I swear she can sniff out hidden nutrition anywhere, lol! I have offered her raw carrots, against my beliefs since I severely choked on one when I was a kid, but she wouldn't eat it anyway. She won't even eat raisins! I though all kids liked raisins! I even broke down and bought the yogurt covered raisins, but she ate the yogurt off and spit out the raisin, lol! Many people told me that the third kid will push you over the edge and this one is doing a good job of it!

As far as swapping food off of the adult's plates for the applesauce, etc, that is what we did for many of our CS meals this past summer. I think we ended up with at least 10 containers of applesauce that we threw away at the end of the trip.

 

[kimbac3]

The only problem I'll have with the kids menu is if they eliminate all the other menu choices, such as the steak and fish and certain places. That would be sad. You should be able to get Pasta at Tony's and Steak at Le Cellier, Fish at Coral Reef. You get the idea. From the sounds of it..on this board anyway, that is NOT going to happen. But until we get reports from more restaurants we just won't know for sure.
Kimba

 

[honeymo78]

The only problem I'll have with the kids menu is if they eliminate all the other menu choices, such as the steak and fish and certain places. That would be sad. You should be able to get Pasta at Tony's and Steak at Le Cellier, Fish at Coral Reef. You get the idea. From the sounds of it..on this board anyway, that is NOT going to happen. But until we get reports from more restaurants we just won't know for sure.
Kimba

You can still get pasta (spaghetti and meatballs) at Tony's and fish (mahi mahi) at coral reef. Someone else reported that guest services said Le Cellier will not change since it is not disney owned (I guess some world showcase locations are not disney owned). It may or may not be on the printed menu you recieve - I can't remember what the person reporting on coral reef said, but spaghetti is one of the ala carte items at Tony's - but you definitely can still order it from your server.

 

[Sammie]

The only problem I'll have with the kids menu is if they eliminate all the other menu choices, such as the steak and fish and certain places. That would be sad. You should be able to get Pasta at Tony's and Steak at Le Cellier, Fish at Coral Reef. You get the idea. From the sounds of it..on this board anyway, that is NOT going to happen. But until we get reports from more restaurants we just won't know for sure.
Kimba

Disney does not offer alot of kid versions of the adult menu, because then adults want to purchase them instead of the adult version.

Many times the very changes everyone dislikes are caused by abuses of others.

 

[Snow_White]

I personally think the kids menu looks much healthier, it just could use a little bit more variety. I think it's a step in the right direction though

 

[Bird-Mom]

My almost 2 year old is the pickiest kid I've ever seen!! Once we got off of the baby food (which she ate without any problem), I have not been able to get a single veggie into her mouth. She won't even try it. We offer veggies during every dinner but they just sit on her plate. She eats a few fruits but no veggies. She also won't eat pasta or meat. I've tried not giving her anything else but she just stares at her plate of food and refuses to try any of it. She will announce that she is "done". She wouldn't care if she starved. Our pediatrician just tells us not to battle with her, because you can't force a child to eat and it will just turn into a power struggle. She says to just keep offering it. I used to believe that if a child got hungry enough, they would eat what was offered, but my third has proven me wrong, lol! She'll eat yoplait yogurt, french fries, bread and some fruits. That is it. Did you use the "you'll eat what I make or starve" approach on a 1 year old? How long did you let them starve for? I really am not trying to flame you, I'm just at a loss as to how to fix a picky kid. I KNOW that she will not eat off the disney kids menu, lol!

Do you think it is the texture that is bothering her? If she was ok with baby food, and now refuses food that she has eaten previously in a different form? Will she put the food in her mouth? Does she gag and choke on it? Maybe have her evaluated by an occupational therapist? Then you would know if it was an actual problem with the food vs a power thing.

I have 2 dds (4.5 and almost 2.5), and they will eat almost anything. However, I never gave them baby food. I went straight to table food when they started showing an interest, or actually, when they grabbed something off of my plate!

I read that you may have to introduce a food up to 10 times in order for a child to try it, so keep trying. I don't think I would make another meal for my child although I can see where it would be hard not to. Some kids seem to survive on air!

Good luck, that would make me crazy!

 

[bartleby1]

Do you think it is the texture that is bothering her? If she was ok with baby food, and now refuses food that she has eaten previously in a different form? Will she put the food in her mouth? Does she gag and choke on it? Maybe have her evaluated by an occupational therapist? Then you would know if it was an actual problem with the food vs a power thing.

I have 2 dds (4.5 and almost 2.5), and they will eat almost anything. However, I never gave them baby food. I went straight to table food when they started showing an interest, or actually, when they grabbed something off of my plate!

I read that you may have to introduce a food up to 10 times in order for a child to try it, so keep trying. I don't think I would make another meal for my child although I can see where it would be hard not to. Some kids seem to survive on air!

Good luck, that would make me crazy!

Thanks for the thoughts and suggestions! I don't think it is a texture thing because the food doesn't even make it into her mouth, lol! I've never seen her choke or gag on anything, she just refuses to eat it. My pediatrician has told me the same thing about introducing food over and over, but that isn't working either. She is a stubborn little bugger! I'm sure it is a power issue and she is winning but I can't bring myself to let her go hungry overnight either. At first, I refused to give her anything else but she just skipped lunch and dinner and then woke up in the middle of the night starving. At that point I reheated her dinner and gave it to her but she still refused to eat it so I put her back to bed. In the morning she ate her breakfast (pancakes and banana) and then refused lunch and dinner again. Before I had her, I couldn't understand other parents who complained about their picky eaters. I mean, sure, my first two kids were picky at times, but most kids are at some point. But my third! UGH! If she weren't so darn cute, lol!

 

[SILLYANDI]

My almost 2 year old is the pickiest kid I've ever seen!! Once we got off of the baby food (which she ate without any problem), I have not been able to get a single veggie into her mouth. She won't even try it. We offer veggies during every dinner but they just sit on her plate. She eats a few fruits but no veggies. She also won't eat pasta or meat. I've tried not giving her anything else but she just stares at her plate of food and refuses to try any of it. She will announce that she is "done". She wouldn't care if she starved. Our pediatrician just tells us not to battle with her, because you can't force a child to eat and it will just turn into a power struggle. She says to just keep offering it. I used to believe that if a child got hungry enough, they would eat what was offered, but my third has proven me wrong, lol! She'll eat yoplait yogurt, french fries, bread and some fruits. That is it. Did you use the "you'll eat what I make or starve" approach on a 1 year old? How long did you let them starve for? I really am not trying to flame you, I'm just at a loss as to how to fix a picky kid. I KNOW that she will not eat off the disney kids menu, lol!

Have you had her evaluated for oral/motor issues or sensory integration disorder? Kids with these issues are very sensitive to textures and that could be the problem. There is a simple solution if that is the case-you do desensitizing exercises like sing songs and stick your fingers in their mouth-sounds weird but it works. My son was a preemie and had oral/motor issues because of the long time he spent on a respirator. He was very picky with food and after we realized the problem-it took very little time before he was eating what the rest of us were (my other 3 kids are very good eaters like the OP- favorite food is sushi and seasfood!)

 

[Luv2Roam]

I am one of those grown up picky eaters. (Veggies/fruits...mmmm... most likely yuck ) I wish my mother had made me be more adventerous and had me try foods that I passed up simply because it looked or smelled funny.
I don't think there is any doubt that I don't eat healthier than I do partly from this.
I think many kids would live off pizza, PBJ and ice cream if allowed.
So allowing the pickiness I don't think is doing them a great favor.
I could see it if the kids were use to home grown, all home baked, REALLY good cookin' food, etc. But I don't think that is the general norm in today's world. (Not flaming anyone. I'm no cook myself. Today's world is busy, busy, busy.)
I appreciate other picky eaters, esp when I find someone worse than myself!

 

[fabshelly]

I just can't see what's healthy about a bunch of carbohydrates and sugars. I think they'll end up being more flexible. As I've soapboxed before, the "food" on kids' menus, both before and after, and at many, many more places than Disney, is low-nutrient, high-carb, high-sugar garbage.

See, I was nice and didn't say crap.

Oops.

 

[Chrisypoo]

I think the ADDITION of healthier foods to the kids' menu is a good thing. However I don't think it's fair that the adults can have their cheesy alfredo pasta, gooey chocolate cake or whatever kind of ice cream...and the kids get to sit there with their cold chicken strips with apple wedges for dessert.

My son is a very good eater, but I know he wouldn't be happy with the new choices, especially at every meal for a week.

 

[not-too-old4fun]

I'm not flaming you, we all have different beliefs on how to raise our kids, but I'm curious as to how you would handle my third child who is an extremely picky eater. I am seriously looking for advice from someone who has been able to raise non-picky children.

My 6 yr old DD will eat just about anything and will ALWAYS at least try what is put in front of her. My 4 yr old DS will try most things when forced to, although, he is definitely more picky than my oldest. My almost 2 year old is the pickiest kid I've ever seen!! Once we got off of the baby food (which she ate without any problem), I have not been able to get a single veggie into her mouth. She won't even try it. We offer veggies during every dinner but they just sit on her plate. She eats a few fruits but no veggies. She also won't eat pasta or meat. I've tried not giving her anything else but she just stares at her plate of food and refuses to try any of it. She will announce that she is "done". She wouldn't care if she starved. Our pediatrician just tells us not to battle with her, because you can't force a child to eat and it will just turn into a power struggle. She says to just keep offering it. I used to believe that if a child got hungry enough, they would eat what was offered, but my third has proven me wrong, lol! She'll eat yoplait yogurt, french fries, bread and some fruits. That is it. Did you use the "you'll eat what I make or starve" approach on a 1 year old? How long did you let them starve for? I really am not trying to flame you, I'm just at a loss as to how to fix a picky kid. I KNOW that she will not eat off the disney kids menu, lol!

BTW, as many others have expressed, it isn't the food offered on the kids menus that is the problem. It is the fact that disney needs to offer a larger variety of meals for kids if they want us to eat three meals a day for an entire vacation on property. A kid can only eat so many carrot sticks, applesauce, and mickey crackers. Even my oldest was so sick of applesauce after 12 days of disney that she wouldn't eat it for weeks afterwards (and that was one of her favorite foods before our trip!).

I think I have found my son's twin!!! If it makes you feel any better, your daughter actually eats more of a variety than my 8 year old. He's been like this since he's also been off baby food. It seems that once he was able to decide what went in his mouth, he clamped down and hasn't unclamped since.

He eats no meat, no vegetables, no bread (except for an occasional hot dog bun). He will sometimes eat a bite or two of spagetti but he has to clear the spagetti noodle of all traces of hamburger meat. He cannot stand the smell of ketchup or peanut butter (including anything chocolate like a peanut butter cup for example). God forbid you eat peanut butter close to him. I have used every method possible to convince him to eat but it's not working. His doctor has actually told me to stop stressing out over it and to leave him be. You really cannot force feed a child. And I've also told him to sit at the table till his plate was clean and he'll sit there without touching it. He'd rather starve. It just does not work for him.

However, he eats anything dairy. Yogurt, ice cream (of course) and he drinks milk like it's going out of style. He does like waffles, pogos, apples, strawberries, grapes, french fries (naturally), hash browns, bacon (which he gets only occasionally), kraft dinner, pepperoni and cheese pizza, and.... I think that is his whole list there. He actually did use to like chicken nuggets but that is also now gone from his list. Once in a blue moon he will eat a dry toast. He cringes at the thought of butter.

I think I've passed the stage where I'm constantly worrying about it. We eat well here. Yes, we also eat junk food also.

I have him take a multi vitamin every morning, which he thankfully loves and that's it.

I'm just waiting for him to grow up a little so he can cook his own meals. (kidding)

Making lunches for school is quite the headache. He gets an apple, some yogurt and I've caved in and buy lunchables for him. He buys a milk every day and that's it.

I haven't seen the menu at Disney but this is also one big reason I'm not so sure the meal plan would work for us. I also have a 12 year old who eats well but not alot.

Ok.... I guess that's enough from me. What a relief to hear that I'm not alone though.