Happier Meals for Kids

Over the past several weeks, a theme of better children’s foods seems to be emerging as an industry focus. The school lunch program is looking for more nutritious foods; kids know what foods are good for them; and a couple of psychological strategies for weight control and better diets.

Or perhaps it’s just a heightened focus on my part after having to feed a 10-year-old moderately fussy eater on a kitchenless vacation a few weeks back. By the end of the week I vowed my child would be banned from eating chicken-nuggets/fingers/strips-‘n’-french-fries until 2010. Even the purportedly high-end restaurant we visited had nothing better than hot dogs, mac-n-cheese and the ubiquitious fried breaded chicken chunks.

In a moment of personal “No? Duh!” I read the market research from Mintel, which began “the average kids' menu doesn't offer enough variety or healthy food, even as parents, kids and chefs alike call out for better options.”

I know I’ve seen baby raw carrot and apple slices and sauce as an option in two of the major fast food chains, and that’s a start, albeit a small one. I understand there’s a perishability problem, but most kids have an array of crunchy fresh veggies they like: Even The Fussy One likes tomatoes, pea pods and cucumbers and the occasional raw broccoli stalk “if I havta.”  The Mintel report says “kids will eat fruits and veggies. More than three in four children (77%) are open to ordering foods with vegetables, and six in seven (86%) would order fruit-containing items.”

Entrees aren’t that difficult either: How about a nice chicken roll-up (not fried) for a QSR option. Or a little teriyaki stir-fry in a fast casual?

Sure, it might cost a little more, but I for one would be willing to pay for better, healthier options. Because if we don’t pay for it, our kids surely will.

    -Lynn A. Kuntz