DDP and Weight Watchers?

[lorasmom]

We're going to Magic Kingdom and Epcot at the end of March. I'm 2 months into Weight Watchers now (on the Flex Plan), and I'm worried about falling off the wagon, so to speak. We have ADR's for Chef Mickey's dinner, and the Princess Breakfast at Epcot. Can anyone share any figure friendly or on-plan goodies?

TIA!

 

[Katiebell]

Drink lots of water in between meals. You can ask any CS place for ice water, and if you have a refillable mug at the place where you are staying then if you eat CS meals at the food court, use your beverage part of your CS credit to get a bottle of water to take with you and drink at the parks.

You will be walking a LOT, so figure in all those activity points. You might even want to bring a pedometer. I did on a trip to DL and one day we walked 17 miles! Most days were 5-10 miles.

At buffets fill up on green salad (dressing on the side, just dip your fork in it, you'll be amazed at how little you use), veggie soups, lean meats from the carving stations, and fresh fruit if they have it for dessert. Any time you go to a buffet, look at all of the choices and skip boring stuff that you can get just anywhere -- like mashed potatoes, bread, mac and cheese, etc. Save your points for something special, or a treat you almost never get to have. At any of the TS restaurants, ask the server right up front if they have a fruit bowl or something light like that for dessert -- lots of people have said how accommodating a lot of the TS places can be.

And enjoy yourself thoroughly, it's vacation! If you do gain a pound or two, just get right back on program when you get home.

 

[littleelvis]

I am on WW too, and although I don't know all the points of the food at WDW I do know with all the walking I do at WDW I have never gained more than 1lb. Yes 1lb. And last year I lost 2.3 lbs. So just keep WW in the back of your mind and try and make good choices. Good Luck!

 

[Tink]

I am also on WW, but on vacation, I just toss it to the wind. I figure one week a year won't kill me. That said, the walking does help. During both pregnancies, I ate a lot, and still lost those months when I went for my checkup.

Plus, you'll have the WW mentality, so even if you snack and eat buffets, I bet you'll watch your portion sizes without realizing it.

Do try the parmesan mashed potatoes at CM. We go there for dinner every trip and they are always wonderful. I've tried to duplicate it, but it just tastes better there! Dh says I'm just looking for another trip. (he caught on!)

 

[sandybobandy]

I've been on WW for about two years, am 55 pounds down, and have been to Disney twice since joining. I've never gained-just maintained or LOST on my trips.
My tip? Just be mindful of what you're eating. Eat what you'd like, but don't go *too* crazy. Tracking and journaling was impossible so I didn't even bother.

Like the others said, factor in your AP's and make sure you get your water in. Most of all, HAVE FUN !

 

[WETWHISTLE]

I'm on WW. I don't plan on following the plan on vacation though. I work hard all year and I think I deserve to enjoy the food on vacation! We plan on walking a lot so I'm sure that will help.

Best of luck!

 

[Katiebell]

Plus, you'll have the WW mentality, so even if you snack and eat buffets, I bet you'll watch your portion sizes without realizing it.

This is absolutely true; it really is a lifestyle change, not a diet. Once you are a WW, you have a different picture in your head of what a portion size looks like. And there are changes you make that are just permanent -- like drinking a lot more water than you used to. And I only drink diet soda now, can't stand regular anymore because it's too syrupy -- this coming from a girl who used to be literally addicted to Coca Cola...I could drink a six-pack a day without batting an eye. And the salad dressing trick -- I always order dressing on the side now, and use much, much less than they give me. I eat a lot more veggies now, and they are yummy I'm sure you'll be fine -- allow yourself some treats and have fun!

Oh, BTW...I just read that Minnie’s Strawberry Fruit Bars have 80 calories, 0 of which are from fat. And the Precision Foods website says, "Dole fruit flavored soft serve is very low in fat, has zero cholesterol and is lactose free, making it a guilt-free indulgence." 80 calories for a half cup of Dole Whip, 0 from fat, WHOO HOO!!!!!!!!!

 

[SlightlyGoofy]

I have lost about 90 pounds and still have more to go. I was frightened about Free Dining last year but we went for 3 whole weeks and I came home 4 pounds lighter.

Between all the walking and the heat I was not super hungry which helped but I ordered all sorts of wonderful food and often ate just a bite or two of each thing and was full and satisfied. On the Dining Plan I did not feel that I had to 'get my money's worth".

Disney World is truly a magic place. You CAN go, eat what you want (within reason) and not gain weight. If I ever win the lottery I am going to book in for an entire year and do the Disney Diet, lots of walking and eating whatever I want. Gotta love that plan!!

Have a good time and this is one time when breaking even is a good thing. I know you can do it!!

Slightly Goofy/Linda

 

[lorasmom]

Thanks, I was kind of hoping all the AP's earned by walking around the World would balance out the possible treats I may sneak in!

 

[TinkerbellTris]

I went last June for 2 weeks on the WW Flex plan too. I told the CM who was taking my ADR's over the phone about my WW plan and that I had some concerns. She noted that on my ADR'S. And to my surprise all the Table services restraunts sent the CHEF to my table to talk to me and come up with a meal I could eat, so I wouldn't Fall off the Wagon, so to speak. I ate a lot of salads, and turkey sandwhiches, and Panini's. Everything was great. I brought my own WW snacks into the park in my purse and no one said anything to me. It was great. In the 2 weeks I was there I had a few slips, I'm not gonna lie, I ate some greasy pizza, and some Ice cream but I only gained 4 pounds all together. I lost that in about 2 weeks when we got home. Don't forget with all that walking you will do, you get exercise points as well, and that helps burn the calories.

 

[ksoehrlein]

There's a similar thread on the main Restaurants Board:
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1373788

In that thread, I wrote:

I'm trying to eat healthier, and found some great options on my past couple of trips. There is a delicious-sounding veggie sandwich at the Plaza (but I haven't tried it yet). The Plaza also has very yummy no-sugar-added butter pecan ice cream, but unfortunately, it was not low-fat. (A low-fat chocolate vanilla swirl is also available there, but it is made with sugar.)

I had a terrific tomato-mozzarella sandwich for lunch at Yacht Club Galley last month. Le Cellier also has a tomato-mozzarella-basil stack with balsamic vinegar that makes a great appetizer. (I hope tomato and mozzarella are OK'ed by your nutritionist because these are both SO good!)

Beaches and Cream (and other locations, too, I'm sure) has a pretty decent veggie burger. And they were more than happy to substitute fresh fruit (melons and grapes) when I requested it be served without fries. Bagged baby carrots are also available at some CS restaurants as a french fry substitute.

My experience with Disney's chicken Caesar salad has been disappointing, however -- at multiple locations, they really loaded up on the dressing and croutons, and it was never the light meal I'd hoped for. If I ever order again, I will have to remember to speak up about my preference for just a small amount of dressing.

If you're on the DDP, you'll need to be extra vigilant. It's a ton of food! Be sure to ask if you "have" to have the listed dessert at CS restaurants. A DISer had posted her experience last year that she was allowed to have a bottled water for "dessert" at some of the CS locations. I tried it and was successful in October at CHH, but as with everything DDP-related, YMMV and only Disney can tell you for sure if this is OK.

 

[Susan555]

Oh, BTW...I just read that Minnie’s Strawberry Fruit Bars have 80 calories, 0 of which are from fat. And the Precision Foods website says, "Dole fruit flavored soft serve is very low in fat, has zero cholesterol and is lactose free, making it a guilt-free indulgence." 80 calories for a half cup of Dole Whip, 0 from fat, WHOO HOO!!!!!!!!!

Do you have any idea of the carb/sugar content of those? I eat low carb, and I'd love to find one or two treats I can indulge in!

 

[Katiebell]

Do you have any idea of the carb/sugar content of those? I eat low carb, and I'd love to find one or two treats I can indulge in!

Dole Whips have 18 g carbs, 13 g sugar for a 1/2 cup serving. Don't know if that's good or bad, since I don't do low carb.

There is supposed to be a sugarless chocolate mousse in Norway at the bakery. Fountainview Cafe in Epcot has sugarless cheesecake on the menu. Sugarless vanilla ice cream in cups should be available from ice cream vendor carts, but don't know the carb count. There are supposed to be frozen fruit bars with no added sugar, 8 carbs per bar. Sugarless jelly beans, turtles, and peanut butter cups should be available at several of the candy shops. At TS restaurants you can ask if they can give you fresh fruit for dessert. Also, ask if they can sub a green veggie for pasta, rice, or potatoes. Some of those TS chefs are very creative!

All of these are "supposed to haves" because the most recent article I found was dated 2002, so things change. But it's on AllEars, just type in low carb dining, and you will find it.

 

[silmarg]

Consider going on Core for the week of the trip.

With core you could have anything from the carving stations (sans skin), salads, and eggs for breakfast...

I have found core to be more straight forward to follow especially on business or falimy trips.

 

[Susan555]

Thanks - that's WAY too much sugar for me - ouch! I don't care about the fat content, but I try not to have anything with more than 2 or 3 grams of sugar (unless I'm eating berries, which are higher in sugar but also have lots of fiber). Thanks for the other things, I'll look for some of those.

Susan

Dole Whips have 18 g carbs, 13 g sugar for a 1/2 cup serving. Don't know if that's good or bad, since I don't do low carb.

There is supposed to be a sugarless chocolate mousse in Norway at the bakery. Fountainview Cafe in Epcot has sugarless cheesecake on the menu. Sugarless vanilla ice cream in cups should be available from ice cream vendor carts, but don't know the carb count. There are supposed to be frozen fruit bars with no added sugar, 8 carbs per bar. Sugarless jelly beans, turtles, and peanut butter cups should be available at several of the candy shops. At TS restaurants you can ask if they can give you fresh fruit for dessert. Also, ask if they can sub a green veggie for pasta, rice, or potatoes. Some of those TS chefs are very creative!

All of these are "supposed to haves" because the most recent article I found was dated 2002, so things change. But it's on AllEars, just type in low carb dining, and you will find it.