Anyone do Keto/Low Carb at Disney World?

[dizneefan13]

I eat 90 percent low carb for weight loss, health reasons. I just FEEL so much better strictly limiting carbs, especially unhealthy ones.
I know there are places with salads, meats, fish, veggies etc and have done okay in the past. I have never planned to stay totally LC, but this time I'd like to stay close. Just have a bite or two of DH' treats and sugary stuff.
I love ice cream and make my own at home. Is there anyplace with sugar free ice cream on Disney property?
There must be some keto/LC folks out there.
How do you plan healthier eating while on vacation?
BTW we are there for at least two weeks each visit.

 

[Jadyreen1282]

I was Atkins for years. Bailed due to HBP. It is easy to do keto since you are already schooled in it. Just pick joints that fit best. I picked buffets when I was on it.

Later on I just bagged the diet while on vacation.

 

[Rach3975]

I ate moderately low carb on our November 2018 trip. It's not much different from how I approach restaurants at home. I checked menus carefully ahead of time and thought through which substitutions I could ask for, based on what was already on the menu (ie, substitute side X for side Y or get entree Z served with extra veggies instead of rice and veggies). TS was much easier to handle than QS because of the more extensive menus and less reliance on things like sandwiches and fries. Buffets were wonderful, too.

It's extra challenging for me at restaurants since I'm a pescetarian (vegetarian who eats no meat and limited seafood) who has to avoid seafood restaurants due to a child with an allergy. I'd been planning to ask for pasta dishes prepared with a vegetable from the menu (often mixed veggies or broccoli) instead of pasta. In the end I felt like too much of a pain asking for things like that and just chose something else. I ordered lots of salads and skipped high carb bases like pasta and rice. I didn't worry too much about sauces, figuring all the walking was cancelling out some of the eating. When we ate QS, I stuck to places with filling salad options (Satuli Canteen in AK, food courts at the resort, etc) or ordered 2 sandwiches (veggie hot dogs at Casey's for example) and then ate them without the bread. I brought in some nuts and other low carb snacks so that I was a little less tempted by all the treats. I let myself have 1 splurge a day. Some days that was ordering one of the smaller sugary treats for myself, and other days it was a meal that was higher calorie than I'd usually eat.

All in all, I didn't eat quite as low carb as I'd planned on, but by being intentional about my daily splurges and doing my best to stay low-ish carb the rest of the time I was happy with how I did. I didn't gain anything during our trip, though I'm sure the crazy amounts of walking helped with that!

 

[TammyLynn33]

We are ordering groceries to our room so I ordered a ton of veggies, cheeses, peanut butter etc, I’m hoping that will help ..
I will also order a ton of Keto fiatbread from our local bakery and pack it with and I can use that at places and use that for fajitas etc
I’m still struggling ha ha it’s been 6 weeks or so I haven’t touched any breads cookies candy sweets etc so I’m getting there
We leave in ten days I’ll let you know how I do

I eat 90 percent low carb for weight loss, health reasons. I just FEEL so much better strictly limiting carbs, especially unhealthy ones.
I know there are places with salads, meats, fish, veggies etc and have done okay in the past. I have never planned to stay totally LC, but this time I'd like to stay close. Just have a bite or two of DH' treats and sugary stuff.
I love ice cream and make my own at home. Is there anyplace with sugar free ice cream on Disney property?
There must be some keto/LC folks out there.
How do you plan healthier eating while on vacation?
BTW we are there for at least two weeks each visit.

 

[Rach3975]

I will also order a ton of Keto fiatbread from our local bakery and pack it with and I can use that at places and use that for fajitas etc

I totally forgot it until I read this, but I carried my favorite low carb tortillas in my bag, too. That helped a lot, being able to transfer over foods served as sandwiches. My family laughed at me for it, but I had the last laugh when they were all whining about how full they were and how badly they'd been eating and I felt great!

 

[TammyLynn33]

Rach
Are you in the US? I’m in Canada and options are so limited I choke these down but far from enjoy...
If you have any USA brands you’d recommend I can grab some on the night before as we fly out if the USA in 10 days

I totally forgot it until I read this, but I carried my favorite low carb tortillas in my bag, too. That helped a lot, being able to transfer over foods served as sandwiches. My family laughed at me for it, but I had the last laugh when they were all whining about how full they were and how badly they'd been eating and I felt great!

 

[Betty Rohrer]

We are ordering groceries to our room so I ordered a ton of veggies, cheeses, peanut butter etc, I’m hoping that will help ..
I will also order a ton of Keto fiatbread from our local bakery and pack it with and I can use that at places and use that for fajitas etc
I’m still struggling ha ha it’s been 6 weeks or so I haven’t touched any breads cookies candy sweets etc so I’m getting there
We leave in ten days I’ll let you know how I do

just remember in the parks nothing brought in can be heated for you

 

[TammyLynn33]

Thanks .. that’s fine just a thought

 

[Rach3975]

Rach
Are you in the US? I’m in Canada and options are so limited I choke these down but far from enjoy...
If you have any USA brands you’d recommend I can grab some on the night before as we fly out if the USA in 10 days

Yes, but what's available can vary a lot from one neighborhood or grocery store to the next. I'll share my 2 favorites (purchased in the Washington, DC area), but no guarantees you'll be able to find them easily in Orlando! The Mission brand Carb Balance are fantastic if taste is your main consideration. The rest of my picky family loves these, too, so I've stopped buying regular tortillas in favor of these. Each tortilla is 70 calories and 6g net carbs (19g total carbs). They are white flour, though, and I prefer to eat whole grains when I have the option. So for myself I buy the La Tortilla Factory ones. They definitely don't taste as good as the Mission ones, but for whole wheat they're good. Those are 50 calories, 3g net carbs, and 11g total carbs.

 

[Juliette58]

I found buffets to actually be a great option. I could load up on salads and low carb veggies. Get lots of chicken beef or fish. Other than having to be disciplined I found it much easier than ordering from a menu.

 

[DisneyArkie]

You have some will power. I eat healthy and exercise throughout the year, but when I take my beach and Disney trips I refuse to not enjoy vacation and limit myself. When I come back, that’s when it’s time to train and eat healthy. Good for you though if you can do it

 

[Mrs. W]

My husband eats low carb on vacation (and at home, since he’s type 1 diabetic).

He actually finds Disney World to be a great vacation spot for low carb dining.
Like you, we also try to avoid places where my husband can only eat salads. He likes salad, but he’s a big eater, so he prefers salad as a starter, not a meal, regardless of how large or delicious it is.

The restaurants are easier than quick services: he prefers buffets since he can fill up on various meats and veggies, eggs and cheeses, etc., but any place that serves meat and veggie sides (which are most places at Disney) are great too. For quick service, we tend to frequent the same places since there are fewer appropriate options for him, but my husband doesn’t mind at all, since he enjoys his meals at those places.

My husband doesn’t really snack inside the parks, but only because I don’t snack. He doesn’t like to look around just for himself. It’s the same for dessert: my husband could eat dessert but I’m usually full after my entrees, so if I don’t eat dessert, neither will he, unless we’re at a buffet. At buffets, he’ll search for sugar free or no sugar added desserts. He prefers to stick to sugar free, but apparently there aren’t as many options. He’s found some good “no sugar added” options for dessert at a few of the buffets. I know he liked the options he had at Hollywood & Vine.

We’ve also gone off site before to pick up groceries so he could snack in the room: cheeses, pork rinds, low carb tortillas (he likes to eat them plain), etc. At home, I bake or make home made snacks for him, but I also buy Lily’s Chocolate chips and Enlightened ice cream for dessert. For our next trip, I’m thinking I could order some chocolate chips and store them in the room fridge, for post park snacking. Also, the Disney Food Blog has posted about where to find other sugar free or at least no sugar added treats at WDW. I plan to stop at a few of these places: http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/sugar-free-dining-in-disney-world/

 

[ScoutsMom21]

I eat 90 percent low carb for weight loss, health reasons. I just FEEL so much better strictly limiting carbs, especially unhealthy ones.
I know there are places with salads, meats, fish, veggies etc and have done okay in the past. I have never planned to stay totally LC, but this time I'd like to stay close. Just have a bite or two of DH' treats and sugary stuff.
I love ice cream and make my own at home. Is there anyplace with sugar free ice cream on Disney property?
There must be some keto/LC folks out there.
How do you plan healthier eating while on vacation?
BTW we are there for at least two weeks each visit.

I've been researching this! I've been Keto for 3 months now and want to stay on plan as much as possible during our trip. Here's the suggestions I've found online from fellow Keto/low carb people by park:

Magic Kingdom:
Cosmic Rays: Greek salad with grilled chicken cutlet is awesome.
Casey's: Hot dog without the bun
Liberty Square Market: Dill pickles are a great salty snack.
Starbucks: Boiled eggs and mini wheels of babybel cheese for snacks.

Epcot:
Tutto Gusto: Meat and cheese platter is awesome.
Le Cellier: Steak and veggies
World Showcase: Multiple options for charcuterie platters (meats/cheese)
Mexican pavilion / Tequila bar: Zero carb cocktail = Tequila + lime juice + club soda

Animal Kingdom:
Zuris Sweet Shop: Krave jerky for snacks
Harmabe Market: Dill pickles for snacks
Terra Treats: Buffalo chicken wings
Flame Tree Barbecue: Smoked chicken, pulled pork - skip the sauce
Satu'il Canteen - Bowls with lettuce base instead of rice

I have not yet researched options for Hollywood Studio but hopefully some of this will be helpful.

 

[dizneefan13]

Everyone! Thanks for your great suggestions! Exactly what I was looking for. I knew there were more Keto/LC folks out there.
I would LOVE to put my "diet" on hold and eat more carby stuff, but it just makes me feel like crap now. I can have a few occasional bites of hubby's goodies, but thankfully a bite or two can satisfy me. I did find DFB food guide (I think that's what its called) has an article about sugar free. I will write those down and research to see if they will be available when we get there.
In Disneyland, they had some sugar free chocolates in bags that I would get and have one or two a day, but they don't have them anymore.
So I'll go prepared with some notes from you guys and from online and know where I can eat well while in the parks. Another nice thing when I am there, I'm not fixated on food. I am enjoying myself too much! I know a lot of people enjoy the food as much as the other stuff there, rides and shows and stuff, but between feeling crappy from too many carbs and just LOVING being in DW, I can focus on other stuff besides food. (I do miss Disney popcorn though!)

We love the buffet at Cape May, we both are seafood lovers. Boma is a fave, too. Can't think of others we like right now. We don't do character ones. Not into that and we're too cheap to pay that much for a hug from Cinderella. LOL

 

[kappyfamily]

Im Keto as well, going on 10 weeks. Leaving in June for Disney and plan on lots of buffets! Good luck!

 

[Meshell2002]

Have you ever tried whisps cheese crisps? they are great snacks for traveling because they don't have to be kept cold. they are dried cheese so very keto friendly. Here in the southeast US we find them at Walmart and Publix. They are also available on Amazon.

Following because I'm considering going full Keto, but not sure how to travel with a special diet. I've been cutting my carbs except fruit carbs, and a few cheats here and there.

 

[Ladyfish77]

D'luxe Burger offers a lettuce wrap for their burgers--great for keto. Most restaurants and quick service can substitute extra veggies for sides that are not keto.

 

[phins_jazy]

these are all awesome suggestions. i was just starting to research this myself.

 

[mousiemom]

I've been doing keto for 5 months now and i have to admit when i went to disney last dec. i didn't do keto but i do good when i'm at home and when i'm in disney, i will enjoy my disney food and snacks. but you can totally do keto there, when i was ordering my mac and cheese with pork @ flametree, i was thinking oh i can just get the pulled pork but boy that mac & cheese was delish!

have fun!

 

[bfrosty]

Remember, whatever diet your doing its all about moderation. A good anology is to think of your stomach as a campfire. You want to keep the fire burning. Don't let it get to coals (skipping meals/not eating regularly) and Don't throw a bunch a logs on at once (Overeating at one meal time).

On the KETO thing, its great to do low carb/no sugar...but you really need to read the "Ingredients" on food packaging and unfortunately, we have no idea of the quality of food Disney serves. I would think low quality to keep profit margins up.

Back to "Reading the Ingredients" on the food packaging...Don't read the "cover" of the food package, most of that stuff is just buzz words to get you to make a quick decision. If there's a paragraph of ingredients, you want to pass. The less ingredients, the better. There is so much more, but don't want to write a novel post here.

Also, sugar is the devil. It really is. Sugar intake is good from fruits/veggies, but again in moderation. Eating more sugar actually feeds diseases/illnesses in your body including cancer and many more.

Just my .02 I don't claim to be a doctor or play one on the disboards...opinion I've formed from all the information I've read and researched over the past 12yrs+ In addition, many friends who are nutritionist and exercise gurus.

Good luck and enjoy life....eat in moderation, eat whole foods, drink water, exercise body & mind.

Take care friends.
MK