Traveling Abroad with a Picky Eater: What the UK Taught Me
Last year, my son Kyler (14) and I took a trip to the UK—something that, honestly, felt both exciting and intimidating. Traveling abroad is already a big leap, but doing it with a picky eater adds an extra layer of planning and emotional load. Food can quickly become the stressor that overshadows everything else if you let it.
What I learned on that trip is something I wish more parents knew: consistency is your best travel companion.
The Power of a Reliable “Safe” Restaurant
Very early on in our trip, we discovered Pret a Manger—and it completely changed how our days unfolded. It was so similar to a Panera back home that he didn’t even realize the difference.
No matter where we were in the UK—London, train stations, busy city centers—there was almost always a Pret nearby. The familiarity mattered. Kyler knew what to expect, the menu was predictable, and the environment felt calm and efficient.
Pret became our go-to for:
Breakfast every morning
Lunch on many days
A guaranteed source of calories without stress or negotiation
Because we locked in consistency during the day, food stopped dominating our mental energy. We didn’t have to spend hours searching menus or worrying if he’d eat. That one decision gave us freedom for the rest of the trip.
Consistency by Day, Compromise by Night
By sticking to Pret for breakfast (and often lunch), we were able to compromise at dinner.
In the evenings, we chose nicer restaurants, local spots, or places the rest of the family was excited about. And more often than not, Kyler could find something safe—chicken fingers, fries, plain grilled chicken, or a familiar side.
Dinner didn’t have to be perfect. It just had to be possible.
This balance worked:
Familiar foods earlier in the day
Flexibility and exposure at night
No pressure to “try new things”
Everyone got something they needed
The Universal Safety Net: McDonald’s
And let’s be honest—no matter where you go in the world, you can almost always find a McDonald’s.
We didn’t rely on it constantly, but knowing it was there mattered. And surprisingly, it became part of the fun. The kids loved seeing how different the menu was compared to the US—different sauces, different items, different packaging.
What could have felt like a “food failure” turned into a cultural experience.
Sometimes safe food is the experience.
Letting Go of Food Expectations
One of the biggest mindset shifts I had to make was letting go of the idea that travel food needs to be adventurous to be meaningful.
Kyler didn’t go to the UK to eat like a local. He went for SOCCER!
And I guess you could say, he went for these things, too:
See new places
Navigate trains and cities
Build confidence
Make memories with me
And he did all of that—because food wasn’t a constant battle.
What This Trip Taught Me
Traveling with a picky eater doesn’t mean settling.
It means strategizing.
Find one or two reliable food anchors
Stick to them consistently
Build flexibility around them
Remember that nourishment comes before novelty
That UK trip wasn’t just successful—it was genuinely enjoyable. And it reminded me that when kids feel safe and supported, they can handle far more than we sometimes expect.
Even abroad.
