When families go out to eat in Germany, children are often served the same uninspired trio: French fries, schnitzel, and chicken nuggets. A recent nationwide market review conducted by German consumer advocacy groups reveals a troubling lack of variety and nutritional value in kids’ meals at restaurants across the country.
According to Der Spiegel, the study examined 100 children’s menus from restaurants nationwide and evaluated 456 individual dishes. The results paint a concerning picture of how children are being fed when dining out:
- Two-thirds of the menus featured schnitzel, often accompanied exclusively by French fries.
- Half of the restaurants served pasta dishes.
- 40% offered chicken nuggets.
- Nearly 40% of the dishes were technically vegetarian — but in most cases, this simply meant a plate of fries.
Consumer protection experts point out that these so-called vegetarian meals lack any real nutritional value. They’re not supplemented with vegetables, whole grains, or other fresh ingredients.
Balanced meals are few and far between
Only one in four meals reviewed received a positive score for nutritional value — meaning they included elements like vegetables, whole grain products, or unprocessed meat or fish. The rest were rated either nutritionally neutral or outright unbalanced.
The worst-performing dish was a breaded schnitzel with French fries and creamy mushroom sauce — a heavy, fried meal with little to offer nutritionally. In contrast, the top-scoring option was whole grain pasta with fresh tomato sauce and Parmesan — a simple but nutritious and tasty combination.
Vegetables? What vegetables?
The most common side dish offered with kids’ meals is, unsurprisingly, French fries. Healthy alternatives are almost nonexistent: only one in ten dishes included a vegetable side or salad.
Britta Schautz, a nutrition expert from the Berlin Consumer Center, emphasized:
“Children should be given the opportunity to choose vegetables when dining out — ideally, they should be able to make the decision themselves.”
Schautz clarified that the goal is not to ban classic favorites like fries, but to expand the selection to include more balanced options. Encouraging children to try new foods in a restaurant setting can help them broaden their tastes and make healthier choices.
How restaurants could improve – expert suggestions
One of the most practical ideas proposed by consumer advocates is offering a mix-and-match option — allowing children to build their own plate from various sides such as vegetables, rice, or pasta. This kind of customization would make restaurant meals more appealing and engaging for children.
Another modest improvement already seen in 9 out of 100 restaurants is the so-called “Räuberteller” — a free, empty plate provided for children to share food from their parents’ plates. This small gesture can:
- Eliminate the need for a separate kids’ dish (saving money),
- Introduce children to new foods in a safe, low-pressure environment.
However, only one restaurant in the entire study offered the option to order regular adult dishes in smaller, child-sized portions — despite this being one of the simplest ways to make menus more family-friendly.
Experts also recommended offering vegetable-based finger foods to keep kids occupied while waiting for their meals — like carrot sticks with a dip. A small, healthy appetizer could go a long way in creating better habits and reducing the appeal of default fried items.
As a Conclusion: Kids’ menus still ruled by deep fryers
The current state of children’s menus in Germany shows a clear lack of balance and nutritional consideration. According to the Verbraucherzentrale (German consumer protection association), kids’ meals should help foster healthy eating habits from a young age — yet in most restaurants, fried meat and potatoes dominate.
If restaurants are willing to make even minor adjustments, the picture could change dramatically. Offering vegetables, child-sized portions of adult meals, and a few diverse sides would create more inclusive and health-conscious menus. After all, eating out isn’t just about convenience — it’s a chance to shape children’s tastes, habits, and lifestyle for years to come.
This article was prepared based on materials published by Der Spiegel. The author does not claim authorship of the original text but presents their interpretation of the content for informational purposes.
The original article can be found at the following link: Der Spiegel.
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