Dining plan- Gluttony versus healthy eating

[turkeymama]

We have always had the DDP and have undoubtedly come out ahead as we have done many character meals. On our most recent visit, we cut back on the character meals and DH says we cut it close as to not "maximizing" our DDP. Having said that, we do enjoy the convenience of prepaying for our meals even if we simply break even. Also, since the deserts for CS meals come prepackaged, we usually save those for snacks later in the day or for the drive home. I don't think we cross the line into gluttony, but we aren't eating what I would consider 100% healthy the whole week either. None of us would dream of eating red meat every single day just because we are on vacation. Our tummies aren't accustomed to it (we only eat red meat once or twice a week at the most) and I imagine it would throw our systems into a tailspin. Not my idea of fun on vacation. We really do fall somewhere in the middle.

 

[havoc315]

I agree with you on this! You are supposed to have fun and splurge a little on vacations. If this means eating red meat every day, which recent studies have shown is not that bad for people as once thought, then I'm all for it. I also hardly ever eat dessert in the real world, so I take advantage of it when I'm on vacation.

You mean this study:
http://www.foodconsumer.org/newsite/Nutrition/Food/red_meat_prostate_cancer_0724120631.html

Eating red meat may increase risk of developing deadly prostate cancer, according to a new study published online July 20, 2012 in the journal Carcinogenesis.

The study showed men who had highest intakes of red meat cooked at high temperature, cooked by pan-frying and cooked until well done were more likely to develop advanced prostate cancer, compared to those who had lowest intakes.

Or this study:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/a...larly-increases-risk-death-heart-disease.html

Two rashers of bacon a day raises the odds of dying from heart disease and cancer by 20 per cent, a study has claimed.

While red meat has been blamed for health problems before, the large-scale American study is one of the first to link it to a higher risk of dying.

The data, from more than 120,000 men and women who were tracked for almost 30 years, was analysed by the Harvard School of Public Health in Boston.

Or this study:
http://articles.latimes.com/2012/mar/13/health/la-he-red-meat-20120313

For instance, adding just one 3-ounce serving of unprocessed red meat -- picture a piece of steak no bigger than a deck of cards -- to one's daily diet was associated with a 13% greater chance of dying during the course of the study.

Or this conclusion:
An equal size portion of processed red meat, such as bacon or hot dogs added to the diet will increase the chance of premature death by 20%. That’s just about as high as the risk due to smoking cigarettes which is rated between 20-30%.


So in sum, eating lots of steak while on vacation, is about equal to smoking a pack of cigarettes per day on your vacation.

I personally love steak, I eat it about one to two times per month. So I'm not against steak or red meat at all. Just discussing a balanced approach, as supported by the medical literature.

 

[TDC Nala]

I sort of get part of what Havoc was getting at, but this has gone the other direction. I thought it might get into the fact that you probably have to work a bit harder to get savings out of DDP if you choose to be careful to order healthier type meals at every restaurant. But it's turned (rather quickly) into an argument about how people should or shouldn't eat. If it's going to turn into debate about what's healthy and what isn't, this isn't a diet advocacy board.

 

[havoc315]

I sort of get part of what Havoc was getting at, but this has gone the other direction. I thought it might get into the fact that you probably have to work a bit harder to get savings out of DDP if you choose to be careful to order healthier type meals at every restaurant. But it's turned (rather quickly) into an argument about how people should or shouldn't eat. If it's going to turn into debate about what's healthy and what isn't, this isn't a diet advocacy board.

True, I'm trying to avoid that.
I'm trying to lay out --- if we follow accepted medical standards, even with a bit of vacation splurge, whether the dining plan works for such normal eater. Someone just sticking somewhat close to what is considered to be a normal regular healthy diet.

 

[jagafen]

I have to agree with Mefordis. You posted in February expressing your disappointment in the cost savings of the Dining Plan. Then you posted today expressing your disappointment with the amount of food you get. You obviously will not be getting the plan again and this topic has been discussed over and over again on here. So the only thing your post can possibly do is create an argument. But I assume that is what you want since you started the post off with "I know this topic will be controversial".

So what is the motive here?

Sorry OP, but I have to agree with the PP. You stated you only wanted objective opinions, but yet you subjectively refer to the DP as engaging in gluttony....I think that's a bit much....7 deadly sins/damnation to hell for indulging while on vacation?? Let's face it, that's what "maximizing" the DDP is...indulging in the short term while on vacation and not folowing your everyday routine. Yes, there are die-hard healt nuts that rarely stray, but most of us aren't like them. If it doesn't work for you, it doesn't work. No need to justify your change of heart. But let's not insult those of us who like the plan for WHATEVER reason we do.....that's a bit too much superority...

 

[DanaLynn07]

I sort of get part of what Havoc was getting at, but this has gone the other direction. I thought it might get into the fact that you probably have to work a bit harder to get savings out of DDP if you choose to be careful to order healthier type meals at every restaurant. But it's turned (rather quickly) into an argument about how people should or shouldn't eat. If it's going to turn into debate about what's healthy and what isn't, this isn't a diet advocacy board.

I agree, if this thread is all about how to maximize savings while eating healthy I'd love to talk away, that just isn't what the topic struck me as being.

Havoc, I wonder where the study is about people who eat 5-6 oz. of red meat every day of their vacation for all 10 days of their vacation, but return to moderation when not on vacation? All in all the health ramifications of 2 weeks or less of indulgence when paired with a balanced diet the rest of the year doesn't seem like that big of a deal to me.

Also, if you're really worried about the calories go for a mile or two run in the mornings or evenings, it's a greeaaat way to unwind, and you'll burn up some excess calories! Win win

But if you're REALLY worried, just don't get any of the Disney dining plans since they are geared toward indulgence, as are pretty much all things Disney in my experience.

 

[DanaLynn07]

Oh, wait, if we want to talk about our Disney Food gripes in general...the lack of fiber! Oh.my.goodness I guess I just eat a lot of fiber normally but it feels like pulling teeth to get 18g of fiber a day at Disney! I swear!

*brings Fiber One on next vacation*

 

[TDC Nala]

Sorry, but even after what I posted before, this thread is now a discussion of what might be a proper or healthy diet with an emphasis on the diet advocacy. And that is not on-topic for these boards. So it's being closed.