Dining out with your child? With so many menu options, it can be overwhelming to choose the best one for your child.

Here are a few tips to help you navigate the menu from registered dietitian Joy Dubost, the National Restaurant Association’s nutrition and food and healthy living director:

• Choose a grilled chicken sandwich or a small hamburger. The burger provides a substantial amount of protein. Request a whole wheat bun if the restaurant offers them. That counts as a serving of whole grain. Don’t forget to top the burger with lettuce, tomato or other vegetables.

• Look for grilled, broiled or baked options to reduce caloric and fat intake.

• Consider a baked potato, whole-grain pasta or fruit, such as apple slices instead of fried options. Those options typically are lower in calories and count as fruit, vegetable or grain servings.

• Choose steamed, grilled or raw vegetables as side dishes. You might want to encourage your child to dip vegetables in low-fat dressing. Many children are more likely to try veggies when they have such options.

• Limit sauces or condiments that can add calories and fat.

• When ordering beverages, choose water, reduced-fat milk (1 percent or skim preferably), or 100 percent juice, which counts as a serving of fruit.

• For dessert, consider fruit cups, yogurt parfaits, kid-sized ice cream cones, sherbet or sorbet. Be mindful of portion sizes.

• Don’t limit your child to the children’s menu. Consider splitting a healthful entrée or appetizer with your child.

• Don't forget to include physical activity into your child's lifestyle. Encourage your child to be active at least 60 minutes a day.

All foods can fit into an active, healthy lifestyle. Eating out should be fun, so it can be OK to occasionally allow your child a treat. Just be sure to balance their meals with healthful menu options.