Costa Cruises Introduces Diet And Healthy Eating Project For Kids.

So often when eating out parents notice the options available for the little ones, the dreaded ‘Children’s Menu’. Usually consisting of burgers/nuggets/pizza etc. all with chips. Well, Costa Cruises for one have taken it upon themselves to improve their dining options with a new eating program for children. The purpose is to raise awareness among children on the value of food and proper nutrition. This has been done by proposing a new onboard menu related to a fun and educational game.

The dining choices on offer for children have been entirely modified, according to the principles of the Mediterranean diet. Pasta, fruits and vegetables will be the leading items of new dishes. Designed to enable parents to include, in their children’s diet, foods that stimulate the growth of body and mind, so that they never miss healthy habits whilst on holiday.

Children will have seven menu options available to choose from, each identified by a special name: Red Planet, Yellow Planet, White Planet, Purple Planet, Green Planet, Hidden Treasure, and Rainbow. Tomato, fresh cheese and frankfurter pizza; Barilla mini-penne with cream, peas and ham; crescenza cheese with battered slices of carrot; legumotti in tomato sauce with tuna, olives and mozzarella cheese; 5-grain fusilli pasta with vegetable carbonara are just some of the dishes available on the new menu.

Whenever the children choose one of seven menu options dedicated to them in the Main Restaurant or during lunch with the leaders of the Squok Club, they will receive a package containing 10 playing cards, illustrated by the famous Italian cartoonist Fogliazza, with colourful and original characters representing the 5 colours of fruits and vegetables. Children can collect and exchange all the cards (from a total of 85) with each other and continue the game once they get back home.This makes fruits and vegetables part of children’s lives through play and fun, increasing their awareness about the importance of a healthy diet, even on holiday – well that’s the plan at least!

I for one believe diet, especially for children is extremely important so any help we can get to keep are children eating well can only be a positive step. I’d love to hear your thoughts. Of course children should have treats and a few decadent deserts on occasion but it shouldn’t be the norm and if this new menu from Costa Cruises can introduce children to a healthier way of eating it can only be a good thing – right?

Bye for now.