I’ve always opposed the “dumbing down” of children’s palates via those ubiquitous children’s menus in restaurants, a topic I mentioned in this blog’s first post and a few times since. And I’ve seen in my own home how it’s impossible to predict which foods or flavors will appeal to children (as when my son passes up sweet potatoes with butter, brown sugar and cinnamon in favor of bitter kale chips).
Yet even I sometimes fall into the trap of using the term “kid-friendly” to describe various foods and recipes, such as those I feature on TLT’s Table. That’s why reading today’s guest post by Dina Rose, who blogs at It’s Not About Nutrition (where this post first appeared on June 12th), was a needed wake-up call. Read why she thinks “kid-friendly” is a “killer.”
“Kid-Friendly” Is a Killer
by Dina Rose, PhD
Can we agree to ban the term “Kid-Friendly” from the American lexicon?
It sends the wrong message, sets the wrong tone.
I’m going to go so far as to say that the term “kid-friendly” is killing our kids’ eating habits. (Have you seen the kind of crap that’s called “kid-friendly?” Read The Truth About Child-Friendly Foods and Are “Child-Friendly” Foods Really Gateway Drugs?)
But even when “kid-friendly” food is, indeed, worth eating, the very idea that some food is “kid-friendly” is a mind killer. Read Mind Over Matter.
This tip sheet from ChooseMyPlate.gov isn’t a resource, it’s more like a roadblock.
The term “kid-friendly” denotes that there are 2 types of food in the world.
- Food that is “kind and pleasant” to kids.
- Food that is “mean” to kids.
“Kid-friendly” makes kids and parents think that food should throw its arms around kids and give them a big, happy hug, maybe even a smooch.
“Kid-friendly” makes kids and adults wary of anything “serious” or “mature.”
“Kid-friendly” makes kids and adults steer clear of healthy foods.
“Kid-friendly” undermines everything parents are trying to teach their kids about eating right.
Labeling some foods as “kid-friendly” is like telling your children there are some kids they should play with and some kids they should avoid.
- Play with kids who are familiar.
- Avoid kids who look or act a little different.
Kids have to learn to play in all sorts of playgrounds…with all sorts of kids. The same is true with eating.
“Kid-friendly” is a form of stereotyping.
It has no useful purpose (other than as a marketing tool). It makes kids exclude the bulk of the food world as “not for them.”
I’m not saying that presentation doesn’t matter.
Everyone enjoys an artful presentation.
But your expectations affect what you serve. Your expectations also affect what your kids will eat. So open your mind. It’ll help your kids open their mouths. Read Feed Your Kids Like a Chef—Cooking Optional.
Thanks to Dina for letting me reprint her post today. Do you agree that “kid-friendly” is a term we need to purge from our parenting vocabularies?
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Alicia says
Suggestion to restaurant owners – It would be nice if instead of kids menus, kids would order off the regular menu, but get a smaller portion at 1/2 price. This would also be good for senior citizens who just cannot eat (nor should most adults) the large portions often served. Unfortunately, I can hear the complaints from those parents who like the kids menu, and the restaurants who desire to please the greatest number of people.
Bettina Elias Siegel says
BTW, there’s a lively discussion of this post going on on TLT’s Facebook page, too.
EdT. says
“…I can hear the complaints from those parents who like the kids menu, and the restaurants who desire to please the greatest number of people.
If the restaurants don’t operate in a way that pleases their customers, they won’t be in business for very long.
So, maybe what needs to be done, is the restaurants need to offer a choice between a “classic” kids menu and an “enhanced” kids menu, which features a subset of items from the regular menu (or even the whole thing, for that matter) in a ‘kid-friendly’ portion size and a parent wallet-friendly cost size. Then, those parents who want to feed their children the same thing they eat can do so, while those who choose to feed their ankle-biters traditional “kid food” items are free to do so as well.
~EdT.
Amy H says
I agree!! My husband and I have been saying this for years. There is an italian restaurant in my hometown that does this – kids can order a smaller portion of anything on the menu at a reduced price. We LOVE it! I don’t want my kids to eat a hot dog while I am eating ethnic food – I want them to experience different types of food for a reason. I have a theory that one reason kids reject more healthy options when they are offered for school lunch is that when they get home their parents still feed them chicken nuggets, thus reinforcing the idea that kid food is different from adult food, and the healthier options are not kid food. Kids’ menus really make me want to scream.
Trish says
Sound advice! Absolutely. As vegetarians we have struggled with the “kid menu” for years. If we didn’t order “off the kid menu” my kids would know nothing other than fries, grilled cheese, and cheese pizza at restaurants. We have adventurous eaters. We try new things, new tastes all the time at home. And sure, sometimes they don’t want to try everything or they decide they don’t like something. That’s okay.
Overall it’s about having a discusion about food, there is no dumbing it down for the kids.
I just love how you have linked “kid-friendly” to not supporting being open to new things, new people. Such an important message.
mommm!!! says
My child always hated the kids menu. It’s the same thing no matter what restaurant you are in …..a burger, a hot dog, chicken fingers, a grilled cheese, pizza, a bowl of pasta. And it all looks like cafeteria food. He was always like….”Can’t I just get a steak, mom?”
“Of course, honey.”
Emma says
Wow, you just kind of blew my mind. This makes me think of other parallels we didn’t know we were making back when, but had serious consequences anyway.
Also, have I mentioned my lifetime mad broccoli love recently? Nobody ever called broccoli kid-friendly but there was a period of time when it was one of about 5 things I would eat. Just sayin’.