3 Reasons Chinese Restaurants Are a Great Choice When Dining Out With Children
Taking children out to eat is a great way to spend time together as a family without the many distractions that most homes have. Dining out allows children to learn about restaurant etiquette and offers an excellent opportunity for them to sample new cuisines. Not every restaurant is suited to children, though; especially very young ones. Read on for why your dining out experiences should take place in a Chinese restaurant.
Ideal for Those with Dairy/Lactose Intolerance
The Food Intolerance Institute of Australia reports that 2 out of 3 (that's 67-75%) Australians are dairy intolerant. This figure includes those with lactose intolerance. If you or your children fall into this group, you'll be glad to know that you're in good hands when dining at a Chinese restaurant. Chinese adults of various backgrounds produce little if any of the lactase enzyme needed to break down lactose. As such, they are either intolerant or can only eat small amounts of dairy. Consequently, Chinese food is mostly dairy free. The dairy intolerant in your group will not be short of choice when going out for Chinese food. It's prudent to check ingredients if you're ordering a dessert or dish with a creamy sauce, as these may not be dairy free.
Child-Friendly Foods
Chinese restaurants offer a wide range of dishes ideal for children. Younger kids will find a good selection of foods that are child-friendly and sure to go down well—finger foods like egg rolls, dumplings and prawn starters are easy for little hands to manage. Rice and noodle dishes with steamed or stir-fried vegetables are fab healthy dishes for your kids to try--eating out doesn't mean they have to miss out on their daily quota of vegetables. A Chinese restaurant provides a perfect opportunity to add a variety of new tastes to extend your child's palate.
Culturally Different Décor and Eating Utensils
Most Chinese restaurants are beautifully decorated full of rich colours and culturally appropriate icons. This is a perfect opportunity to give non-Chinese children a taste of a different culture. Even better, these fun, attractive environments come with very different eating utensils than most children are used to. A Chinese restaurant offers an excellent opportunity for your children to try out child-friendly chopsticks. They are great for improving fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination. Using chopsticks encourages children to focus on their food and dining experience. A child's first experience of chopsticks can be a wonderful sight to behold. Be sure to take a camera and prepare for lots of laughter.