Worried that your little one(s) aren’t getting enough greens in their diet?  It’s hard when you’re on the go to get all the proper nutrients.  Many of your favorite restaurants have a salad option for kid’s meals.  This is a great option, provided the salads are packed with the right stuff (ie: no breaded chicken, no fattening dressings, etc).

The Real Difference

The real difference is choosing a salad that’s right for your child.  Salads on menus can be VERY deceiving.  Some salads can pack as many as 1500 calories – seriously. Remember the reading of the nutritional guides I spoke about in my last blog?  This is where it would really come in handy!

A fresh garden green salad is the right choice for your little one.  Most will come packed with carrots, peppers, and you’ll want to make sure that it’s not iceberg lettuce which is just water, with no essential nutrients.  Spinach & Romaine are your best friends in the salad department!  And just like you would do for yourself, a plain grilled chicken breast or salmon fillet to up the protein intake on the salad is ideal.  If your child is picky with salad dressings, here are some options that most sit down restaurants will have:

- Balsamic Vinegar

- Low Fat Raspberry Vinegrette

- Lemon slices that you can squeeze over the salad for a tangy zip!

Et voila!  More greens, while dining out.  You’re such a good Mom/Dad!

Happy & healthy eating!

Leslie

Follow @leslielscott on Twitter and visit her personal blog entitled “The Life of Leslie” for adventures of a 20-something woman aspiring to be something amazing http://leslielscott.blogspot.com/