How do you/do you eat healthy on vacation?

[apcnb687]

great tips

[jwfla422]

I've been seeing more posts than ever on the boards these days about this. It's nice to see actually and all of these posts are great tips.

I am also extremely health conscious everyday as well. As of lately I've tried to cut out as much processed food as possible as well which is not easy. I also have a website that reviews the restaurants in WDW so that makes it even more tricky for us! However that being said, here's what I do IN ADDITION to some of the tips others have mentioned (like stocking up on healthy snacks in your room, etc).

We eat at a lot of the TS restaurants so I practically study the menus before we go and pick a few of those options. I omit things from some of the dishes they serve or put things on the side...etc. If most of the choices are really in question, I'll go with the salad option. We have become big fans of The Wave at the CR because a lot of their food is organic and health oriented AND DELICIOUS! There are more restaurants like this popping up all over and even in WDW. Even some of the CS/QS are adding healthier options to their menus.

If you're stuck eating something that has a little more of what you really didn't want to eat, just eat less of it, don't beat yourself up and move onto the next plan. I know you mentioned you'll be in 4 different hotels, are some of these on property? There are places you can rent a microwave from in the area? Have you looked into that at all? We are big fans of the DVC studios and FW cabins so we have this option (the kitchenette of the DVC studios are wonderful and the cabins have full kitchens).

I'm right there with you and although we do occasional splurges in WDW but I try to stick to the healthier habits most of the time, so I totally understand. Best thing to do is the plan before you dine somewhere and to see what you're options are as far as being able to rent a microwave if you're in a regular hotel room.

One thing I have to add though because this always sticks in my mind since this happened in WDW. We went to R&C for lunch for my birthday some years back and they had this awesome salad, it was so great that I was looking forward to it the next trip and to my disappointment it was gone off the menu! I was so bummed, and there was nothing else similar, when I asked if they can just make a salad with chicken the server gave me attitude (like "why"), but she did return and said it was fine. When I asked her why they didn't have any "healthy" options on the menu, she shrugged her shoulders and the people next to me said (and I quote).."healthy? Why would you want to eat healthy in Disney World"... wow...I just shook my head in amazement.

[almburr]

we tend to splurge a bit when we are there. We use the DxDP. My kids enjoy the occasional French fries and processed nuggets. But most of the time they are the best eaters, not a picky one (well one wont eat mushrooms if he can see them), grilled steak and chicken, they eat fruit all the time, and how they love salads. Seafood is a big thing for them.

We like to try different things while there. So we don't eat 100% clean. But really try to balance it out. Plus all the walking helps.

[ttintagel]

I think there's a lot of middle ground between eating a very restricted diet and "just giving in and eating whatever." That middle ground is usually where I spend my vacation.

[rizzo0904]

My family doesn't eat as clean as yours does, but we do not eat fast food and we keep processed foods to a minimum. Just looking at some of the pics of Disney food gives me a belly ache! If I were to just let it all go, I would be sick in my hotel room.

Our plan is to order from Garden Grocer, or if we decide to rent a car we'll drive to Publix. We'll get fruit and yogurt for breakfast in the hotel. We'll get whole wheat bread, pb, and jelly (the natural stuff) for sandwiches in the park. We'll bring lots of snacks with us from home. And then we'll let the kids have a treat or two every day. I know the character breakfast will be a dietary bust day but I don't think they offer many healthy options. We are doing a dinner at Boma and I know my 3 year old will just eat from the hummus area. So we'll do our best, but not overly stress.

Tangierine in Epcot may be a good option too....

[kris4360]

All diets are put on hold when we are on vacation. We eat whatever we want! Love it!

[smiths02]

You will have a car and a fridge, so you can just eat what you normally eat for breakfast. You can use the microwave at the resort CS location.

ETA: You could also consider a side of scrambled eggs at CS (I know it is not egg whites), packaged fruit and veggies at CS locations (just toss the "unhealthy" dips), "healthier" granola bars/ Lara bars, etc. that you can get at Whole Foods

[princessallegra]

Originally Posted by jwfla422

I've been seeing more posts than ever on the boards these days about this. It's nice to see actually and all of these posts are great tips.

I am also extremely health conscious everyday as well. As of lately I've tried to cut out as much processed food as possible as well which is not easy. I also have a website that reviews the restaurants in WDW so that makes it even more tricky for us! However that being said, here's what I do IN ADDITION to some of the tips others have mentioned (like stocking up on healthy snacks in your room, etc).

We eat at a lot of the TS restaurants so I practically study the menus before we go and pick a few of those options. I omit things from some of the dishes they serve or put things on the side...etc. If most of the choices are really in question, I'll go with the salad option. We have become big fans of The Wave at the CR because a lot of their food is organic and health oriented AND DELICIOUS! There are more restaurants like this popping up all over and even in WDW. Even some of the CS/QS are adding healthier options to their menus.

If you're stuck eating something that has a little more of what you really didn't want to eat, just eat less of it, don't beat yourself up and move onto the next plan. I know you mentioned you'll be in 4 different hotels, are some of these on property? There are places you can rent a microwave from in the area? Have you looked into that at all? We are big fans of the DVC studios and FW cabins so we have this option (the kitchenette of the DVC studios are wonderful and the cabins have full kitchens).

I'm right there with you and although we do occasional splurges in WDW but I try to stick to the healthier habits most of the time, so I totally understand. Best thing to do is the plan before you dine somewhere and to see what you're options are as far as being able to rent a microwave if you're in a regular hotel room.

One thing I have to add though because this always sticks in my mind since this happened in WDW. We went to R&C for lunch for my birthday some years back and they had this awesome salad, it was so great that I was looking forward to it the next trip and to my disappointment it was gone off the menu! I was so bummed, and there was nothing else similar, when I asked if they can just make a salad with chicken the server gave me attitude (like "why"), but she did return and said it was fine. When I asked her why they didn't have any "healthy" options on the menu, she shrugged her shoulders and the people next to me said (and I quote).."healthy? Why would you want to eat healthy in Disney World"... wow...I just shook my head in amazement.

We love the Wave! Other restaurants we love are Flying Fish, Citricos, Artist Point, Tokyo Dining, Crystal Palace breakfast believe it or not is amazing. They have made to order eggs, so egg white omelettes with loads of veggies, huge impressive fresh fruit and berries display, decent roasted breakfast potatoes/peppers. The chef makes me gf/df waffles. It's a fun character breakfast and if you can get in at 8 am or so it's really cool to see main street and the Castle with very few people around.

I also love jwfla422's suggestion of asking for different sides (steamed or roasted veggies instead of mac n cheese or buttery mashed potatoes), asking for sauces on the side, or hold the sauce...These are things we do and have never had a problem. We are willing to pay an upcharge if there is one, but usually we find Disney restaurants are happy to oblige.

[DisneyZombie]

Well I honestly feel that if your a Healthy eater and your good about keeping to that then it might not hurt to let lose just a little, Unless you think it would make it harder to get back on track when you get home. You might take the magic out of your trip if you struggle to keep up with your current eating habits. I guess I'm the snake in the tree cause I say let your hair down. Your going to be doing a lot of moving and walking after you eat so it shouldn't have too many bad affects on your health.

[jwfla422]

Originally Posted by kris4360

All diets are put on hold when we are on vacation. We eat whatever we want! Love it!

Tried this LOL, backfires too much on me...within 24 hrs of overindulgence or getting off the "normal eating habits" hits me like a ton of bricks and you don't want to know details. (it's not worth the consequences although "moderation" is a little more cooperative with me)

[princessallegra]

Originally Posted by kris4360

All diets are put on hold when we are on vacation. We eat whatever we want! Love it!

For some of us it's not a diet, rather a lifestyle choice. We choose to eat whole foods-fruits, veggies, meats, fish, chicken, we do eat rice and legumes, eggs. We eat limited sweets, and we bake treats at home. This way of life makes us feel great! So when we steer away from clean eating, and eat lots of processed foods, fatty foods, fried or sugary foods, our systems don't do well. We get sick and it's just not worth it. Our family definitely has treats and indulgences at wdw all the time, and even that has repercussions! Meaning we eat breakfast in the room, and perhaps something at the TS lunch upsets my stomach. Granted I do have gut issues, the point is some people can't just lose the diet and eat 3 heavy indulgent meals a day for a week :-)

[BEASLYBOO]

Originally Posted by kris4360

All diets are put on hold when we are on vacation. We eat whatever we want! Love it!

and you know in theory I'm not opposed to that! But and a big but, for 13 days, my kids and myself included would be miserable! 3 days on the DDP and we couldn't do it! Wasting food is an issue, eating 2 to 3 meals a day in restaurants is the bigger issue. Eating food not prepared how we like it is also a problem! For a couple of days no problem, for 13 I don't honestly think I could do it without a griddle, a microwave and even the crockpot!

and we aren't picky eater nor health fanatics!

[ttintagel]

Originally Posted by princessallegra

For some of us it's not a diet, rather a lifestyle choice.

The things you eat = your diet.

[princessallegra]

Originally Posted by ttintagel

The things you eat = your diet.

The poster I quoted said all diets are put on hold when at wdw. My point was in response to their comment about healthy eating/clean eating being a considered a "diet". Using your definition, that poster wouldn't have eaten while in wdw, as they said all diets are put on hold ;-) I do see your point and agree. However I was quoting a specific comment :-)

Originally Posted by kris4360

All diets are put on hold when we are on vacation. We eat whatever we want! Love it!

[sunnydays28]

Originally Posted by kris4360

All diets are put on hold when we are on vacation. We eat whatever we want! Love it!

Oh believe me, we will indulge, but there is no way I could do 13 days of eating the Disney way. #1, our bodies are not used to it and I know we would be miserable after just a few meals; #2, it is so wasteful and #3, our budget does not allow it. We only have 3 ADRs set: Garden Grill, CRT for her birthday and The Wave.

And I am no saint: my daughter's favorite food is doughnuts (I hear there is someplace at WDW that has a doughnut bar?!) and mine is cheese, so we def are not complete purists. We also have not been this way all our lives, only since 2007 have I changed my ways and we have only been on long vacations twice since then, and even though we had kitchens, eventually all the fast food and heavy stuff caught up to me and I was an unhappy traveler. I am not trying to make every single meal and snack clean, but we do believe and know for ourselves that a healthy hearty breakfast starts the day much better than sugar and carbs.

I think I am going to pack the microwave and if someone says we can't have it or we end up not needing, it can stay in the car. I had also thought of our panini/griddle, but it can create some smoke, so I would worry using it in a hotel.