Healthy kids menus to prolong Xmas cheer without fear
It’s time to shake the sillys out. Stockings stuffed with lollies have turned our kids into little crazies. It was fun while it lasted but now its time to get back on the straight and narrow. We’re not quite up to going fully healthy yet so we’re easing our way into it by picking and choosing where we eat so we can still maintain a holiday vibe, guilt free. Here’s a guide to healthy kids menus that cut down on the sugar, fat, and additives so you can eat out without doubt.
Vegan Burg
Don’t let the pictures of Sir Paul put you off. Burgers endorsed by a Beatle probably seem questionable but he does seem to be on to something. This fast food for a cause tastes pretty good, pleases small palates and you can even get it delivered – with a side of broccoli to boot.
Vegan Burg, Various locations.
Din Tai Fung
Dumplings do double duty due to their novelty factor and tempting taste. We have been big fans of this chain of Taiwanese morsels since the pork and vegetable variety became the perfect way to get greens into our little ones. They don’t even know it’s happening!
Din Tai Fung, Various locations.
Living Café and Deli
Chicken rice gets the green treatment on the kids menu here. Let little ones feast on tasty brown rice chicken rice bowls while you sip organic bubbles and devour a living salad. Even if you indulge them with a cake or slice, you can walk out of here knowing not a jot of junk has passed their lips. Peace of mind.
Living Cafe and Deli, 779 Bukit Timah Rd, Singapore, 269758, p.6468 4482, Mon 11am-7pm, Tue-Fr 11am-10pm, Sat 9am-10pm, Sun 9am-7pm.
Café Manuka
After a romp around the Paragon playground on a rainy day, you can safely sate famished children with a meal close by. There is no dedicated children’s menu, but the food is kid-friendly with offerings like corn cakes served with avocado, sour cream, chutney and bacon or smoked salmon. We’ll skip the bog standard spag bol that features on the kid’s menu of most restaurants in a second!
Cafe Manuka 290 Orchard Rd #05-k3/k4 Paragon, Singapore, 238859, p. 6235 0902, Open Mon-Sun 9am-9pm.
Real Food
Real yum! – is all we can say. The people here are as passionate about food as you are about your kids. If they’re big kids then this is a great place to start their food education and let them learn about what goes into the food we eat, from growing to preparing. Do it over a bowl of soup or noodles and they’ll be rapt.
Real Food, Various locations.
Cedele
It’s all about the purple patty. If you’re little one is a sucker for colour we suggest swaying them the healthy way with the prospect of a prettily hued Beetroot Burger. Good to look at and good for them, it doesn’t disappoint. Of course, if it does then you can always fall back on their fresh soups and sandwiches.
Cedele, Various locations.
Wild Honey
The most important meal of the day is served ALL day at this café, and we’re not talking greasy spoon heart attack material. Go Californian and little ones will be sunny side up after filling up on eggs scrambled with tofu, peppers, mushroom and scallions, or go Swiss and kids will be anything but neutral, naturally, after spooning in rolled oats, grated apple, almonds, yoghurt, raisins, and fresh berries.
Wild Honey, Various locations.
California Pizza Kitchen
No, we don’t go for the pizza, we go for the sensational salads! The S word is never at the top of a kid’s favourite food list but these salads just seem to get it right where taste and texture intersect. Tried and tested, we are yet to have a disappointed child after succumbing to the crunch of these flavourful bowls. We especially love the Miso. If, however, your attempt to convert the little people to raw comes off a little undercooked, then the Tortilla Spring Rolls will warm them up.
CPK, Forum the Shopping Mall, 583 Orchard Road, #01-23, Singapore, 238884, p. 6836 0110.
Kith
We used to come just for the coffee, but now with little ones on the scene, we love the home-style cooking using fresh ingredients. The menu is small and simple but it never fails to please.
Kith, Various locations.
Petit Bowl
We stumbled upon this business in a dark hour, and like angels, they said, “Our mission is to help lighten your burden and provide you with the best feeding solution by serving only fresh, healthy, nutritious and tasty meals for your little loved ones”. And so we were saved. Their healthy, convenient, age appropriate frozen solutions can be ordered online or visit their store.
Petit Bowl, 46 Siglap Drive, Singapore, 456171, p. 6256 5359.
Now, with any luck, your quest to get your children’s diet back on the straight and narrow will be effortless and won’t interfere with fun!