7 foods you should never order from a kid’s menu (with their healthier alternatives)

Making your kids eat healthy is more than a task and the challenge becomes even more real when you are dining with them in a restaurant. Even restaurants with a special kids menu don’t make it easy for the parents as most of the items available on that menu do not qualify as healthy.

To make it easy for you, here is a list of 7 food items that you should never order from a kid’s menu along with the healthier alternatives.

Only a glance is enough to tell that the cobalt-blue or neon-green carbonated beverage on the menu is completely unhealthy. Any type of soda is far from nutritious and is packed with sugar and calories. Even the juices available are not a healthy option. Stick to water or milk. Even chocolate milk is a healthier option because at least it offers some protein and calcium.

Chicken fingers are one of the most popular options on the kid’s food menu. Though chicken is healthy but not after it's deep fried. The deep-fried version is loaded with sodium and calories. Order grilled chicken instead, as grilling the chicken makes a massive difference to its nutritional value. You can also convince your kids to share the chicken dish that you are having, which will also expand their taste.

Chicken pasta is again packed with sodium and calories that come from fat. And if the chicken is breaded and has cheese as one of its ingredients, avoid giving it to your kids completely. Opt for topping free pasta.

While butter pasta is the favourable choice of many kids but it is low in nutrition and not worth your money. It’s better to feed your kid with simple bread and butter rather than the super expensive butter pasta.

Kids love foods that are loaded with carbs, which makes rice and bread as their favourite food. Also, it’s an easy choice to satisfy our picky eaters. There is no need to avoid carbs altogether, you can limit the portion. Instead of refined carbs, go for whole grains.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with celebrating a special occasion by having a massive Sunday dessert. But the ice cream brownie and ice cream giant cookie are loaded with sugar and calories. Many of them contain way more calories than small kids should consume in one go.

Order only one dessert and ask your kids to share among themselves or you share with them.

Burger usually occupies the top spot on the kid’s food menu. But these cheeseburgers are ranked as the worst among many foods options available for the kids. You can select options that are grilled and add some fruits as a side dish.

Taste for spicy, salty and sweet food is developed at an early age age. Thus, introducing your child to aerated beverages, juices, chips, jams, juices, ketchup and other such stuff makes him/her habitual to all this later.