Being healthy (healthier) at DLR

[lalasmama]

I've recently made a concentrated effort to lose weight, and so far it's going well (5 pounds and that's only 2 weeks of trying; honestly, I'd been stuck at 200 for so many times of trying, I never thought I'd manage to get back into the 100s again!).

My HUGE change has been my diet and exercise, just like those silly doctors tell us

I know that exercise won't be a problem--I jokingly refer to my DLR trips as "3 days of daily half marathons" because I usually hit 13.x miles a day. However, on my first day (travel day) I won't be in the parks, and it would normally be a workout day. Does anyone know if Tropicana has a small gym area? Seriously, all I need is a treadmill. If they don't, I may just walk the perimeter of the resort a time or two, or laps in the airport.... Or both, because I'm addicted to Fresh Baked Disney, and want to see the piles of dirt they so excitedly post about every weekend!

Now, the big part... I have never *not* gained weight at Disneyland. It may have to do with the unlimited sweets and decadent meals I made sure to enjoy a few times a day... Clearly my Surf-n-turf at BB isn't going to be a reasonable choice. Shockingly, I haven't missed my favorite meals out at home, and the minor weight loss is encouraging more healthy eating; I expect to be fine skipping most of my normal DLR splurges. No worries about completely denying myself though: I will have a half order of pomme frites! So, this is really a 2-part question: is there a place to get the calorie counts of meals in the parks? And, what are your favorite semi-healthy foods at the parks?

Thanks in advance!

 

[Astylla]

I've never seen calorie counts but let me congratudate you on your efforts so far that's awesome , as I've been on my weight loss journey a few years now and have kept over 40 lbs off even with Disney in my life.
I try to balance things as I eat keto ( or low carb/high fat) overall but still allow myself to eat freely just not overdo it.

For example instead of a double scoop waffle cone , now I opt for a single scoop cup or split a sundae at ghiradelli. I typically let myself have one or two treats a day depending on how I feel but my appetite is nothing like before so I don't eat often but try to focus on meals if possible. The fried chicken at Plaza inn is never greasy and me and DH split it anyway and i love the skin but it's easily removable and it's delicious.

I also love Paradise Garden Grill in DCA , Cocina Cucamonga in DCA and Bengal Barbeque in DL for high protein options.
There's a saying : You can't excercise/outrun a bad "diet" - meaning how we eat so I enjoy myself on vacation in moderation then go right back to "normal" at home.
I cut out sugar 99% of the time so now it's TOO much for me which helps me avoid it . Just go in with a plan but don't beat yourself up ,I'm guilty of this and it's a journey not a destination

 

[cruisehopeful]

Good for you. That is also a concern of mine. It can be very difficult to eat healthy and low calorie at any theme park. As mentioned above, Bengal Barbeque in DL and Garden Grill in DCA have worked for me. I am considering trying the place in DCA that has chinese/thai food, too. I think skipping sauces or getting sauces on the side helps a lot. You may want to keep some stuff at your hotel for healthy snacks. We've done that with hard boiled eggs, cheese, carrots, apples and yogurt. If there is no fridge, you can buy a cheap cooler and just replace the ice every day. It works well. Then, just take a couple items into the park with you.

I wouldn't spend too much time counting calories, though. You probably already know what the good choices are. So, just make good choices and stay away from places that might tempt you like the candy store or the ice cream stores.

 

[rentayenta]

Sharing is also a way to be healthy. I find that smaller portions work well for me.

 

[ParkHopper1]

Feed your mind before you feed your body.

I will hit times when i start getting in a mental fog then start feeling bogged down...then the craving for a churro and coke set in...mmmmmmm...I can taste it and GOTTA GO GET ONE NOW....

So I go get a pack of Mango slices and a bottled water which has become my refresher snack. 9 time outta 10 the natural sugars feed that craving and the hydration of the water speeds the metabolism and system back up and I feel 100 times better than if I loaded my body with processed sugars and soda. Better choices.

For that 10th time that is does not do the trick...I then go get the churro and coke and enjoy every second of it!

Indulge...but in moderation.

To make better choices at meal time...drink at least 8-12 ounces of water at least 15-30 min before you even look at a menu.

 

[5forMickey]

Congrats, I can feel your pain as it has always been a life battle with me also. Honestly, I usually lose weight at Disneyland from all the walking lol. The one thing for me that has been Hugh is making sure I start the day with high protein, no carbs and drink lots of water (I never thought I could give up diet coke, but once I did I got what everyone says about it) I'll get an hard boiled egg and some meat maybe before we head to the park, but no bread or sugar for that first meal, it seems to make me less hungry during the day. Also, I think I make better choices at table services rather than cs and never do a Buffett. I tend to not be so strict while at the park with the exception again of the carbs (there just really hard on me) so sandwich are without the bun etc....so try while you're there enjoy yourself and if you slip just get right back at it once you get home. Have a great trip!

 

[disneyxica20]

i like the chicken and rice kids meal from the french market. it's not greasy at all and you get fruit and veggies on the side. for a kid's meal, i think the portions are pretty generous. i usually just eat the chicken and rice and put the fruit and veggies in a ziplock bag to snack on later. i also really like the veggie wrap from the galactic grill.

 

[smartlabelprint]

I've recently made a concentrated effort to lose weight, and so far it's going well (5 pounds and that's only 2 weeks of trying; honestly, I'd been stuck at 200 for so many times of trying, I never thought I'd manage to get back into the 100s again!).

My HUGE change has been my diet and exercise, just like those silly doctors tell us

I know that exercise won't be a problem--I jokingly refer to my DLR trips as "3 days of daily half marathons" because I usually hit 13.x miles a day. However, on my first day (travel day) I won't be in the parks, and it would normally be a workout day. Does anyone know if Tropicana has a small gym area? Seriously, all I need is a treadmill. If they don't, I may just walk the perimeter of the resort a time or two, or laps in the airport.... Or both, because I'm addicted to Fresh Baked Disney, and want to see the piles of dirt they so excitedly post about every weekend!

Now, the big part... I have never *not* gained weight at Disneyland. It may have to do with the unlimited sweets and decadent meals I made sure to enjoy a few times a day... Clearly my Surf-n-turf at BB isn't going to be a reasonable choice. Shockingly, I haven't missed my favorite meals out at home, and the minor weight loss is encouraging more healthy eating; I expect to be fine skipping most of my normal DLR splurges. No worries about completely denying myself though: I will have a half order of pomme frites! So, this is really a 2-part question: is there a place to get the calorie counts of meals in the parks? And, what are your favorite semi-healthy foods at the parks?

Thanks in advance!

Surf & turf sounds healthier than pommes frites! Maybe you could share & if you have someone with you they could just get the salad on the side with split plate charge.

 

[lalasmama]

Surf & turf sounds healthier than pommes frites! Maybe you could share & if you have someone with you they could just get the salad on the side with split plate charge.

I'm actually going alone, so sharing can't be done. I'm completely aware that my pomme frites aren't healthy... But surf-n-turf with potatoes, the bread and gumbo before, the huge piece of desesert afterwards.... I'm betting a half order of pomme frites won't come close calorie wise, and I wouldn't feel bad about how much I wasted by not eating it, since, well, I'm well on my way to vegetarian with the guilt I feel eating meat lately.

 

[dorchrislen]

there are a lot of fruit choices in DL. Also, grilled chicken. Drink lots of water and stick with the basics and you'll be fine. Your determination is what will carry you through. I would recommend having some healthy snacks with you so you don't get too hungry (baby carrots, a high fiber bar, or even some sugar free hard candies just to take the edge off; I love the Sugar Free Werthers). Ask for lighter dressings on the side for salads.

 

[Isatricia]

I am currently doing a low carb diet - down 30 pounds in 2.5 months. Funny thing is that I don't miss the sweets and the couple times that I have cheated (because there was literally nothing else to eat - friends BBQ, meal after a funeral, etc), the sweets didn't taste good and I felt horrible for days afterwards.

I use My Fitness Pal to log my meals and track the carbs. I just tried adding a food and used Disneyland as the search and it came up with many results. I can't say where they got the information, but it is probably close to accurate.

I'm not really stressed about eating on vacation. I have learned that I can eat healthy just about anywhere. I'm not a foodie, so that helps.

 

[Disney_Alli]

For sit down you can always order appetizers instead of mains for smaller portions while solo

 

[bswift]

Before my trip to DL and WDW last year, I'd lost 50 pounds and then maintained the loss for 6 months. I did so by tracking my calories on MFP and it was my first break from weighing/tracking everything I ate. I was nervous that I'd go nuts and just binge eat like crazy but I found that I was satisfied by smaller portions and one or two treats a day. I also just found that I wasn't really that hungry most of the time, and I wasn't eating out of boredom because who could be bored at Disney? I was also alone for the DL portion of the trip, don't feel bad about wasting food if you don't finish it all. You may find that you've put on a little bit of weight when you get home, but it would most likely just be water-weight from eating saltier food than usual (happens to me every time I go out to eat, even if I pick healthy options). The weight will drop off as soon as you start eating normally again.

 

[Isatricia]

. The weight will drop off as soon as you start eating normally again.

I love that you said this.....Eating healthy should be the new normal or you will put the weight back on.

 

[GatorChris]

Oddly enough, DL is the only vacation where I actually do lose weight. It's a combination of all the walking each day and the food intake. Usually, we stay at HoJo where there isn't a provided breakfast. So that means I'm eating maybe a small breakfast bar and either a banana or some other fruit. Then we eat a good sized lunch (Blue Bayou, Clam Chowder Bowl, Burgers, etc). If we have a 5 night trip, there's at least two nights where I don't eat a big dinner. It's usually a small ice cream cone or we split a turkey leg with some popcorn. So I think my caloric intake actually goes down a little, or at least stays steady. Add that to walking around all day and I lose weight.

Now, if we're talking WDW, forget it! I get on the Dining Plan and eat until I'm sick.

 

[BriannaRuth]

I've found that staying well-hydrated makes a huge difference. Drinking lots of water always makes me feel full so I eat less. Tropical Imports, next to Jungle Cruise, has yummy fruit. I get their pineapple all the time; you wouldn't believe how yummy it is on a hot day. They also have mango. And Bengal BBQ in Adventureland is healthy and good.

 

[agamble]

I'm actually going alone, so sharing can't be done. I'm completely aware that my pomme frites aren't healthy... But surf-n-turf with potatoes, the bread and gumbo before, the huge piece of desesert afterwards.... I'm betting a half order of pomme frites won't come close calorie wise, and I wouldn't feel bad about how much I wasted by not eating it, since, well, I'm well on my way to vegetarian with the guilt I feel eating meat lately.

Good for you on heading vegetarian. The World Health Organization (WHO) has determined that meat does cause cancer. Good luck on your vacation food choices and have fun. If you haven’t checked out this site http://nutritionfacts.org/ you should (it’s not the same as .com). All the information, articles, videos, etc. are free. The doctor is sometimes humorous.

 

[Aladora]

Good for you on heading vegetarian. The World Health Organization (WHO) has determined that meat does cause cancer. Good luck on your vacation food choices and have fun. If you haven’t checked out this site http://nutritionfacts.org/ you should (it’s not the same as .com). All the information, articles, videos, etc. are free. The doctor is sometimes humorous.

Please cite sources because the WHO website states:

Eating red meat has not yet been established as a cause of cancer.

 

[agamble]

Please cite sources because the WHO website states:

Eating red meat has not yet been established as a cause of cancer.

Just two from Oct 2015:

http://www.cancer.org/cancer/news/world-health-organization-says-processed-meat-causes-cancer
"The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has classified processed meat as a carcinogen, something that causes cancer. And it has classified red meat as a probable carcinogen, something that probably causes cancer."

http://www.forksoverknives.com/worl...ays-processed-and-red-meats-can-cause-cancer/
"The World Health Organization (WHO) released a report today that places processed meat in the highest of five possible classifications of cancer-causing substances, along with alcohol, asbestos, arsenic, and cigarettes. The WHO’s International Agency for Research on Cancer carried out the review, which also concluded that red meat was “probably carcinogenic to humans.”"

 

[Astylla]

While I think everyone is entitled to their choices , I don't think this is relative to the discussion at hand.