Dining and food recommendations for Weight Watchers

[hulamom]

Aloha!

All the posts and reviews of DLR dining and food sounds (and looks) so yummy... yet so decadent and some even a big no-no for dieters.

I've been doing Weight Watchers for a while, and around the time of our trip (Nov 7-11) I should be nearing my goal weight. Yay, should be close to 25 lbs dropped. While, I intend to indulge just a little (it is vacation, after all), I don't want to go completely off track.

Anybody have any good tips or recommendations of food/dining at DLR? We'll be going to Goofy's Kitchen one dinner (DS5's birthday) and Lilo and Stitch breakfast one morning, so those buffets will be hard to resist piling on the food.

Are there options besides salads that I might be able to try? If I ask for special requests (dressing on the side, no sauce, sauce on the side) will that be doable?

And of course, I plan to do as much walking as possible and will be the designated family FP retriever.

Mahalo!

-- Hulamom

 

[CrazyDuck]

Eat everything! You will be walking 5-6 miles each day to burn off everything you consume. Get in shape before you go so that you are ready for all the walking (or running if you are a fastpass runner)

 

[DangerMouse]

Or, if you don't want to fall completely off the wagon as CrazyDuck suggests (hmmmph, men! ), I'd suggest ordering off the menu at the Lilo & Stitch breakfast in order to limit the desire to "get what you paid for".

Other smarter choices can be found at Bengal BBQ, Tiki Room Dole Whip stand, White Water Snacks has some yummy sandwich options as well as awesome fruit (the same fruit in the park, but you get more of it for less money). Bring along as many of your own healthy snacks as you can so you aren't tempted by every churro cart you pass. And like you said in your first OP, allow yourself some indulgences -- after all you've earned them!

 

[gatorfreud]

You know, this might sound weird (or familiar)... I would not worry about it while you are there, but have a SOLID plan for when you return. Like have those meals planned out, maybe already cooked and in the freezer.

I did WW in January 07, and lost about 30 pounds or so (sometimes closer to 20-25, depending! I have tended to fluctuate about 8 pounds over the past almost 2 years). I always do really well before vacation, and drop a few extra before I go, then just do what I want on vacation, and usually come back fine (back at my 30 pounds down)... then I think I feel so proud that I was fine coming back from vacation, that I get crazy for a few weeks, and then end up with a few extra pounds I then need to take off!

I'm not talking about crazy yo-yoing (only maybe 8-10 pounds at the most, often more like 5)... but I find that I can do well on my trips, and Disney is tons of walking so it is fine, but then it's the aftermath that causes me trouble. So just keep that in mind and focus on (or ALSO focus on) the return.

Good luck and good job!!

Kim

 

[pinktink83]

Oh that is going to be tough!! At least you know you will be doing lots of exercise to burn off those extra calories!! I would try to be strict during actual meals, and let myself indulge a bit on snacks. If you're anything like me, I can't live without satisfying my sweet tooth!!! I would also try not to eat after dinner. You dont want to introduce a bunch of sugar right when you're about to wind down for the night.

Breakfast: stick to eggs/veggie omelets, fresh fruit, toast/english muffin with jam and maybe ONE piece of bacon or sausage to give you a little treat. Stear clear of doughnuts, pancakes, waffles, french toast...all those super sugary carbs that give you no lasting energy and will have you feeling like a wet mop by lunchtime! Also, muffins SEEM harmless, but they can be the worst of the bunch, especially if they arent homemade.

Lunch: butcher block sandwich at Carnation Cafe with fresh fruit and green salad (no mayo! dressing on the side! and if you really mean business, no cheese, extra cucumbers!) Stear clear of chips, french fries or anything else fried! And order wheat or sourdough bread for your sandwich (no croissants!) Royal street Veranda has Steak or Veggie Gumbo, dont know how healthy it is, but it may be safe. Tomorrowland Terrace has mostly hamburgers, but I think Ive seen grilled chicken ones there, too.

Dinner: grilled or baked chicken with grilled veggies and salad (dressing on the side!). French Market Restaurant has Roasted Citrus Chicken or Creole Salmon for lunch or dinner, that sounds yum! Rancho del Zacolo is Mexican food, but that can be tricky. Maybe if they have a grilled chicken fajita platter? Avoid the guac, sour cream and cheese, add lots of lettuce, peppers, tomatoes and onions. Plaza Inn sounds like it has a bunch of healthy options...vegitarian meals, broasted chicken.

Snacks: a Dole whip at the Tiki Hut can't be too bad for you, at least it doesnt have any fat! Plus they have fresh pineapple spears and pineapple juice! Sweet not the "bad" kind of sweet! And you'll burn that sugar off super fast! Cinnamon Candied Apple from Pooh Corner (filling and BIG and will satisfy your sweet tooth!!) or a chocolate dipped strawberry with nuts. Clarabelle's Frozen Yogurt, its less fattening than ice cream, just get the kids' size and no toppings! Enchanted Cottage has frozen fruit ice cream bars, those may be safe...they also have Bratwurst Sausage with peppers and onions, I dont know if that is "healthy" persay, but it may be safe for lunch/dinner.

I would probably avoid the Bengal Hut actually, everything there is dripping in sauce and I'm sure its loaded with sugar and fat. If you could get it without the sauce...then it'd be GREAT b/c they are already portion controlled. I think you can also get grilled veggies, that would be good, too! But stear clear of the bacon wrapped aspargus and Tiger Tails!

Oh and the BEST tip: no soda!!!! Order water with lemon wherever you go!!!

 

[tlovesdis]

I am a WW, I've lost 59 pounds so far, and successfully did Disneyland for 3 days in June!

Does your hotel have a micro and fridge? I did breakfast in the room each morning. I brought apple and cinnamon oatmeal packets (2 points), smallish bananas (1 point), 100 calorie mini bagels (1 point) and laughing cow wedges (1 point).

For lunch I had a chicken sandwich and apple slices one day, my niece and I shared a cheeseburger on the other two. I had salad one day with the cheeseburger and we split chili fries the other day. My snacks were a churro, half of a caramel apple, half of a dole whip, popcorn, and a hunny pot krispie treat. Dinner was at Tony Roma's twice and I had their chicken and rice meal with a side salad. The other night we at at Rancho and my niece and I shared a meal of enchilada's and steak.

DL now has a lot more healthy choices than they use to and as you can see, I still had my favorite snacks throughout the trip!

Good luck to you!

 

[tink2dw]

I'm a Diabetic. There is so much walking, and activity. I HAVE to stop my eating plan and eat everything in sight[that looks good and that I want]!!

Or I my blood sugar crashes and that is dangerous. So, it is important to have extras. A Disney cookie, a frozen lemonade, a Danish at the continental breakfast with cereal and milk.

I really Like this info from Kim, it is right on!!!

You know, this might sound weird (or familiar)... I would not worry about it while you are there, but have a SOLID plan for when you return. Like have those meals planned out, maybe already cooked and in the freezer.

I did WW in January 07, and lost about 30 pounds or so (sometimes closer to 20-25, depending! I have tended to fluctuate about 8 pounds over the past almost 2 years). I always do really well before vacation, and drop a few extra before I go, then just do what I want on vacation, and usually come back fine (back at my 30 pounds down)... then I think I feel so proud that I was fine coming back from vacation, that I get crazy for a few weeks, and then end up with a few extra pounds I then need to take off!

I'm not talking about crazy yo-yoing (only maybe 8-10 pounds at the most, often more like 5)... but I find that I can do well on my trips, and Disney is tons of walking so it is fine, but then it's the aftermath that causes me trouble. So just keep that in mind and focus on (or ALSO focus on) the return.

Good luck and good job!!

Kim

 

[Disney Dreams]

I have lost a great deal of weight on a very strict food plan and enjoy Disneyland.

Here's my tips:

- Tomorrowland Terrace: Tell them you are on a strict diet and would like to order JUST a chicken breast, not the entire sandwich. They WILL do it if you ask and explain you must have JUST the breast. Also, they sell a fruit platter which is wonderful.

- Main Street: There is a fruit cart that will save you just as you are ready to give in to the fudge in the window. Also, stop there on your way in. Pick up a few items and put them in your bag to have handy when you want that cotton candy. (Or even bring it with you - they don't care.)

- Frontierland: Rancho del Zocola has a tostada. You can go right up to the people making it and ask for it NOT in the shell and get exactly what you want on it (lettuce, tomatoes, beans, etc.....)

- Plaza Inn: If you ask, they will make you JUST a chicken breast. Also, they have salads.

- Any of the nicer restaurants will work with you. Ask to speak with the chef and discuss what you can eat. They will make something that works.

- So many places have salads. Scout them out.

- Bring a bottle of water and keep re-filling it.

- Allow yourself 1 or 2 treats so you don't feel like you missed out, knowing all the walking will help balance it out if you stick to only 1 or 2.

It's not easy, but it can be done!

ETA: OH! Almost forgot my favorite! LOTS of places now offer a fruit cup or carrots for the kids instead of french fries. Ask for them for you. They will do it.

 

[CrazyDuck]

Or... Eat Everything... But drink Diet Coke!!!

 

[tink2dw]

Oh, Crazy Duck that is so bad for you!! and the sugar substitute in Diet Coke will damage your gall bladder. Please try to eat more carefully.

 

[CrazyDuck]

Oh, Crazy Duck that is so bad for you!! and the sugar substitute in Diet Coke will damage your gall bladder. Please try to eat more carefully.

I know.... I always chuckle to myself when I overhear people in McDonalds ordering a Big Mac, Large Fries and of course a Diet Coke....

 

[daveyc150]

I actually prefer the taste of diet coke to regular coke.

 

[PinkBudgie]

I've lost 30 pounds over about a year, not by any plan, just eating less. I now feel "back to normal". But Disneyland was my vacation and I ate anything I wanted. Some days I had a waffle cone for lunch!

However here is what I did:

I always had water with meals, never soda. They will always give you a free cup of water if you ask.

I split meals with DH. Some meals are pretty big and I didn't want to feel full. We split a hot dog one day and chicken sandwhiches a few other times.

I ate protein for breakfast like I do at home. That fills you up with less calories and keeps you from getting hungry in an hour.

When I got home, I found I didn't gain any weight! All that walking across the parks helps!

 

[tink2dw]

What protein do you eat for breakfast??

 

[PinkBudgie]

Ok, at home I hate to admit this but... I eat 5 white meat chicken nuggets. Those dino ones from Costco. They have a few less calories than 2 eggs and they are easy to make in a hurry. I'm trying to get myself to have egg more often because it is probably healthier for me.

Our hotel gave a free breakfast, so I had eggs there before DL. But if I had a fridge in my room, I would bring some hard boiled eggs or cold chicken pieces. If I have cereal for breakfast, I find I need to eat again sooner. It just doesn't stay with me.

 

[mommy2allyandaveri]

I think you should just try to make "smart" choices with meals, drink lots of water and bring WW bars or something similar with very low points to have as a snack.

I think you will be fine if you don't go crazy because as the other posters have said you will be walking A LOT!!!

 

[I LOVE MICKEY MOUSE]

Just go have fun & dont worry about it!!! I've lost 35lbs in a year. I've been to DISNEYLAND 3 times this last year. Everytime I go I eat whatever I want & I dont go crazy. With all the walking I burn it off. I get home weighing the same as when I left. So relax & enjoy!

 

[Disneyluvr2]

^^I Love mickey Mouse is right...just go have fun and don't worry about it! I'm a WW life time member. I lost 25lbs a couple of years ago. Every time I go to Disneyland I eat what I want (within reason) and never gain any weight because of all the walking I do! Have fun and even if you do gain a pound or two, so what. You can get back on track when you return home!

 

[dizneekrazee]

I actually prefer the taste of diet coke to regular coke.

Me too, but I actually prefer cherry coke. Its the best. Especially from Refreshment Corner.

 

[hulamom]

Thanks everybody for the great advice! And congrats to those of you who were successful with WW or any other weight loss strategies.

I am glad that restaurants will be able to grant special requests, like having the dressing on the side for salads. This will also help for DH, who is vegetarian.

Except for the morning when we're planning on doing Lilo & Stitch, we plan to just have breakfast in our room. It's the DLH, but we're pretty happy with just a bowl of cereal and some fruit.

I always bring lots of snacks for the kids, so I will definitely pack some of my own snacks too, and lots of water.

I have to admit, I love diet coke, but I also drink lots and lots of water each day.

Yeah, I don't plan on being a complete fuddy-duddy so will most likely indulge, and all the walking will help. I remember a few years ago, DH and I went on a backpacking trip in Yosemite's high country, staying at the high camps. We hiked 10+ miles a day, and I ate a lot (those high camp meals were so good!). I felt like I must've gained weight, but actually lost 3 lbs that trip. That's what actually prompted me to start Weight Watchers.

Mahalo!

-- Hulamom