There’s grumbling coming from many restaurants today and it is not from hunger. More and more parents, and even some kids, are grumbling about the items offered, and not offered, on kid’s menus in many restaurants. Many parents, like him and her, are calling for changes to the traditional menu that so many are used to. They want to see more fruits and vegetables, less fried foods, and more items similar to what the adults eat, but in a smaller portion.

Their complaints aren’t coming simply from being sick of the site of chicken fingers and French fries. Parents are responding to the increase in childhood obesity and unhealthy eating habits. This recent article sheds light on the fact that obesity is now starting to be an issue with children as young as two. A main reason for this is the unhealthy eating habits of today’s families. So many people are so busy running from place to place that they simply stop at a restaurant and order whatever jumps out at them off the menu. Unfortunately, many places only offer high fat foods, which don’t offer much nutritional value on their menus.

Happily, some businesses are starting to see that a change is a necessary event and that it can be profitable. Many companies are starting to offer choices for side dishes in place of the traditional French fry, such as vegetables, fruit, or yogurt. Another option that is popular among parents is offering the same dishes as the regular menu, but in smaller portions. This is a great option for parents who want their children to eat regular food, not food considered to be “child friendly,” and have healthy, tasty options available to them.

It’s easy to add new and exciting offerings for children to your menu. You can simply start by offering options such as vegetables as sides with the traditional main courses. It's easy to add more options by simply offering items that are included on the regular menu in smaller sizes. You can place the items on a smaller plate, possibly even in an interesting pattern, to please the child and encourage them to eat. Your Serv-U representative can help you create interesting ways to serve food that kids will enjoy and parents will love because they are healthy, tasty, and come from your business.