What to Order for Your Baby at a Restaurant

Husband calls and says, “let’s go out to dinner tonight!” And there’s me, in my leggings and the same sweatshirt I’ve been wearing the past three days, haven’t showered yet, shouting “YES! YES YES YES YES YES! ADULT INTERACTION! YASSSS.” If you’re also a stay-at-home or work-from-home mom, I know you get me.

And before I can remember that eating out with a baby and a toddler is hard work and I basically don’t sit down or enjoy my meal, I’ve scooped up my kids, threw on some clothes without even looking at myself in the mirror, and we’re backing out of the driveway within 3, maaaybe 5 minutes.

Our baby girl will be starting solids soon, so I was thinking back to when my son was younger and what I would order for him when we ate out. Now that he is a little older, I let him choose what he wants from the menu (within reason, of course). 

But for littles under two years old, it is important to choose wisely, especially if you eat out fairly regularly. You’ll want to avoid certain things like the really high sodium meals, high junky fats (think anything fried), added sugars, and foods that are low in nutrients.

If you’re willing to get a little creative, you can make a healthy meal for them without having to bring baby something from home. Whether you’re doing baby led weaning or purees (or both), you can find something healthy for baby on the menu!

What To Order For Your Baby at a Restaurant

These are just some ideas, there will be other things baby can eat, too. Just make sure to limit the amount of high salt foods you give them if they’re eating off your plate. Try to stick to foods baby has tried already that you know they can handle the texture of, and haven’t had any allergic reactions to.

Breakfast

• One egg, cooked “over hard” with no salt added, and slice into strips
• A side of avocado slices
• Toast, spread with butter or nut butter, cut into strips
• Toast strip dipped in egg yolk
• Whole banana, peel it halfway so they can hold on to it and munch on the top
• Plain oatmeal, can stir in some peanut butter
• Plain yogurt or cottage cheese

Lunch/Dinner

• A side of avocado slices, or guacamole
• Hummus
• Soft, well cooked veggies like peppers, butternut squash, tomatoes
• Beans (you can smush these with your fingers for them)
• Shredded chicken or pork
• Grilled fish
• Brown (or white) plain rice
• Soft, plain pasta
• Baked potato or sweet potato, can add some butter or oil
• Shredded cheese, or cheese sliced in strips
• Soft tortilla, sliced in strips
• Pear, sliced in small strips or bite sized pieces if your baby can handle it
• Blueberries (you can smush these with your fingers for them)
• Plain applesauce

What to Avoid

• Anything fried
• Anything with added sugar
• Processed meats like sausage, bacon, deli meat
• Choking hazards like whole grapes, whole nuts, whole hot dogs, etc.
• Foods baby hasn’t tried yet

Here is a pinnable cheat sheet on how to order for your baby at a restaurant. And for more tips on eating out with a baby, read this post!