Are Kids Menus a Bad Thing? Moms Talk

Who could hate the kids menu?

Smaller portions, kid-friendly food, cheaper prices. What's not to love?

According to Amelia Sawyer, a lot.

Sawyer, the wife of Cleveland chef and restaurant owner Jonathon Sawyer, blasted kids menus in a post on her blog, Chef's Widow.

She was inspired by a Facebook post by her friend, Iron Chef Michael Symon, who said children should eat the same food served to adults when dining out, because it would make them more open and adventurous eaters, and it was healthier than standard kids menu fare.

Sawyer said many kids menu items are "the most UNHEALTHY thing you could ever order for your child." She then posted nutrition information about some kids menu items at popular chain restaurants.

Some of the information she posted was pretty stunning. A child's "chicken fingers" meal with fries at one chain restaurant? One thousand thirty calories and 2,052 milligrams of sodium, Sawyer said. Whoa.

Sawyer also urged parents to stop using convenience foods at home and throw out the microwave.

Let's talk kids menus and feeding children. Do you worry about the healthiness of the food restaurants are offering your children? Share the challenges of eating out with children, what has worked for you, what you wish would be taken off the kids menu, what should be added.

Joining us, as always, is our awesome Moms Council.

 is a freelance reporter with Patch. Julie a longtime reporter and communications professional, is a first-time mom of a son born in 2010.

 works in public relations. She has a daughter, Amara. Monina is also a member of the Disney Moms Panel, one of 15 moms selected nationwide, advising people online about planning Disney vacations.

 is a mom of four children ages 6 and under with her husband, Bill. Their fourth child, Colette, arrived Jan. 10. Stephanie also works part-time.

 is a native of New Jersey. She is a marketing professional who has worked in advertising, market research, vending and equipment companies. She and her husband live in Avon with their two children.

 is a mom to a Girl Scout and lives in Avon.

 is the newest member of the  and past president of Avon Early Childhood PTA. She will also be blogging for Avon Patch. If you're a parent and want to share your experiences raising children in Avon, you, too, can .