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I dont order off the kids menu. I"ll just order something that I think my son will eat and give him a little bit of my food. Usually grilled chicken, pasta, soup, rice, etc. I heard from a friend that a lot of restaurants will put extra sugar in kids' foods to make them like it even more!

I say everything in moderation. For us, eating out will be a treat, so eating off the fun kids menu of "kids" foods will be a treat for our LO. If she's anything like me, though - she'll want adult food when she's 3.

Kids foods are what our daycare feeds kids and I'm okay with it because I know she will get a balanced diet of fruits and veggies and everything else when she is at home. Also, I don't think I saw one fat kid at that daycare when we checked it out.

I don’t understand why there is this assumption that kids need special foods separate from grown up foods. There is no reason why kids can’t, or won’t, just eat the same foods that adults eat. They don’t need to eat only items that are breaded and fried, or high in fat, sodium and sugars.

I guess I don’t see anything wrong with most “kid foods” to a point (a hotdog now and then never killed anyone), but there are good and bad versions of all those foods listed, and we won’t feed LO a “kid food diet” (though if she orders chicken fingers while we’re out eating, that’s ok too – as a treat). Homemade mac and cheese is a totally different animal taste and heath-wise compared to Kraft or Velveeta, and not every hotdog is created equal. Hamburgers made with lean beef (or ground turkey/chicken), and homemade pizza are all cool with me, in moderation (just like for grownups).

I also dont understand why kids need to have separate foods. I know a lot of people who only feed their kids, mac n cheese, pizza, chicken nuggets etc... its ok to eat those foods but they should be able to eat regular foods as well. When I was a kid I had to eat whatever was on the menu that night.

We don't order off the kid's menu unless the LO requests it. Sometimes she'll sit down and say "I want mac and cheese" so we'll get it for her. Otherwise, I don't know why she needs to eat that stuff. I don't feed it to her at home. I'd rather have her eat some of my food. You know that restaurant portions are oversized anyway so I think it is best that I share with her! Better for my waist line!

@mrs. wagon: Yeah, kid’s menus are cheaper, and eating out is usually sort of a treat time anyway, so if it is in moderation it's not such a big deal – although I’m all in favor of kid’s menus featuring more salads, smaller servings of decent pasta, etc. I know some places we go with let you do “half orders” of any entrée, so I would probably do that for LO if it were an option.

I guess I was thinking more of people who exclusively feed their kids “kid foods” at home. I don’t see why some people assume kids need to eat a separate (crappy) diet from what adults eat. Kids can like veggies, fish and nonfried chicken too!

I really plan on making every effort to get our LO to eat a wide variety of foods. I know that it can certainly backfire, but it will be nice if she enjoys a wider range of flavors.

Sometimes I feel like restaurants serving those foods are copping out of coming up with smaller-sized meals. I plan to feed LO off of our plates - we can always order a side soup or salad if we think we won't have enough.

I don't plan on serving those foods much at home either. If/when we do, I will try to do homemade or healthier versions. Although, DH and I went shopping for a new microwave a few months ago. To my dismay, the microwave I fell in love with has three "kids meal" (their term) pre-programmed buttons - mac and cheese, chicken nuggets, and hot dog. I told DH and the sales guy I was going to put black tape over those buttons.

I' haven't ordered kid food yet. :T Not sure if I ever will? I think sometimes if my LOs want the "junk" I'll let them have it. It'll be a nice, unhealthy treat.

I don't plan to Order off kids menu unless she's a super picky eater. My nephew tends to Order off them because he's a picky eater. My niece isn't and almost always orders off the adult menu. At my bridal shower when she was 6 she ordered pork belly! All the adults had a set menu....we were jealous!