Maltese Parents Want Processed Food Removed From Restaurant Menus
We recently asked parents to let us know what kind of food they think should no longer appear on children’s menus in Maltese restaurants.
Although the responses we got pointed to a variety of problems linked to dining out in Malta with children, the most prevalent was the overwhelming presence of ‘processed food’ on restaurant menus.
No to chicken nuggets
The most recurrent gripe parents had with Maltese restaurant food for children seemed to be with processed chicken nuggets. Most parents agreed that breaded chicken is a format that children enjoy, but that it’s a recipe that could be prepared in a healthier manner.
“If you want to have chicken nuggets just use fresh chicken breast, put it in some crushed cornflakes, and oven bake it”
Mini-adult food
The other apparent gripe Maltese parents have with kids’ menus is that they exist at all. Parents suggested restaurants should keep the same menu they have for adults and just offer a child-size portion, insisting that “almost any recipe for adults is also good for kids”.
“Most of the time you can give kids simplified versions of adult food. It would be so much better than serving chicken nuggets????”
Can we have more fruit and veg please?
Another simple request from parents was that Maltese restaurants should offer more fruit and veg to children. Many said that even traditional children’s recipes like pasta and pizza could be opportunities to introduce more fresh, seasonal greens. They also want sugary desserts to be swapped out for fresh fruit.
“Malta is blessed with fresh fruit and veggies. Kids’ menus should vary according to the season”
And get rid of sugary drinks
Sugary drinks were the second biggest worry for parents when it came to eating out. After processed food, these are what parents would most like to see removed.
Even though nearly half of the parents who answered our survey don’t think restaurant food for kids is a big part of the child obesity problem in Malta, their suggestions for changes could certainly help to improve the situation.
Restaurant owners, take note!