Eating Health at WDW

[twins4me]

As I read through so many posts and yummy menus - I can't help to get hungry and excited. It just seems like there are a whole lot more indulgent meal options than healthy. We have never given our kids anything fried, hot dogs, sugary snacks, etc... I wonder how others handle the challenge. We try to eat as healthy as possible because our son had heart surgery as a baby and we find that it is so important to set a good example and lay a heart healthy diet for him. I'm a little concerned that I wouldn't be able to find anything but FF and chicken fingers! LOL
Jenn

 

[onelilspark]

What, putting a hot dog on a "whole grain" bun doesn't make it healthy??

Haha...in all seriousness, check out Sunshine Seasons in the Land at Epcot. They've got some great kids meals (I know, I order them!) At the MK some of the options are sandwiches instead. Also, if you're not on the DDP, you can order off the adult menu for them and have them split it. I'm specifically thinking of things like the delicious wraps they have, yum! At HS, we tend to eat TS, so I'm not as familiar with the CS options (I dislike them at this park) but I know there's a fruit stand here. In AK I'm usually done by noon and off to another park, so again I'm not much help, sorry

 

[ChelleinNC]

You'll actually find a lot of grilled chicken & veggies, pasta (plain, marinara or mac & cheese), and even pizza with grilled chicken on the kids menus. Fruit & milk are listed first for sides/drinks; FF's & soda have to be requested.

For those of us with kids who only eat burgers, pizza, nuggets, hot dogs; it's become harder to find those options.

 

[dancin Disney style]

I've always been surprised by the lack of options, of any kind, for kids. The majority of it is burgers, pizza and nuggets.

You have to hunt around for the better options. I agree with Sunshine Seasons in the Land at Epcot. We ate there in July and love, love, loved it.

 

[Disnsyncey]

What, putting a hot dog on a "whole grain" bun doesn't make it healthy??

dude, but it does make it GOOD :-D hahahahahha

 

[Sleeping Becca]

The kids meals come with 2 kids pick sides, carrot sticks, grapes, apple slices, cookie, pudding, jello etc. You can ask for fries, but the healthier options are pushed.

Disney has better options than most places but still not the best.

If you are not on the DDP, getting an adult selection is a good idea.

 

[aussietravellers]

My DS has only drinks water or milk, doesn't drink juice and never had soda (did have it once by accident at a party and yelled, this isn't water, yuk, it was sprite). We found that we ate more at TS restaurants, as we were staying at AKL we had breakfast at Boma a lot and it was a pretty good buffet, lots of fruit and healthy muffins, cereals.
We have a life threatening nut allergy to deal with too and we don't eat any added salt either so found the food very salty to begin with. We had snacks and fruit in the room. I had a friend who returned recently and was talking about all of the things they ate, mickey icecreams, candy, fried things, that we didn't ever have (well I did love the nutfree brownie). We used some of our snack credits on banana's and water!

But it is possible to get healthier food and if your children are not used to eating the sweets and fried food, they will gravitate to what they are used to eating anyway and as mentioned previously there are healthy options with the kids meals.

 

[Rudegrle]

TRUE Healthy meal options are hard to find in the world. It's amazing how "0 trans fat", "whole grain", "fat free", and "natural" automatically make something "healthy". I hit the grocer and pack stuff in my suitcase so I always have something to go to, but CS and TS options are limited.

 

[Niki Andiokno]

Eating in the parks can be a challenge. For counter service, I suggest the salads at Sunshine Seasons at Epcot. DF's daughter just loved the "sushi" platter for kids. Basically a california roll, but tasted really good. They also have grilled chicken, veggies and frozen fruit bars for dessert.

At AK, try Flame Tree BBQ. I know, this sounds nuts, but it's true. I had the best fruit plate with yogurt here.

At MK, try Cosmic Rays. This has the best broasted chicken, salads and soups. Also, the food is kosher. Alot of food as well on each plate, so you might want to share.

DHS (formerly MGM) is probably going to be your toughest challenge. The only place I found that is has a good selection of non-fried foods is Starring Rolls Bakery. Althoug the kids meal is just PBJ, the sandwiches are really good with enough meat on them to purchase a roll and make a kiddie size sandwich. You get good things on the sandwiches like red onion and sprouts. They also had alot of fruit available for dessert.

If you want TS, I suggest you leave the park and go the outlying resorts. You can usually find some heart healthy offerings there.

 

[ArabianNights]

For MK I have to put in a recommendation for Columbia Harbor House. They have some fried options which are decidedly unhealthy but the tuna sandwiches there are better than most of the CS at WDW and certainly lighter...

 

[crisi]

TRUE Healthy meal options are hard to find in the world. It's amazing how "0 trans fat", "whole grain", "fat free", and "natural" automatically make something "healthy". I hit the grocer and pack stuff in my suitcase so I always have something to go to, but CS and TS options are limited.

Yep, it depends on what you mean by healthy.

If you are looking for meals beyond chicken fingers, fries and a soda - it isn't hard at all.

If you normally eat organic foods, wild caught fish, grass fed beef, five to eight servings of fruits and vegetables - working in orange and dark green veggies and haven't had anything containing HFCS in years - or have some other definition of healthy - then it might be harder.

 

[DisneyKT]

I saw healthy options while I was down there. Salads, grilled chicken,fresh fruits. Might get a little boring but at least its healthy.

 

[septbaby]

Actually I dont' think it will be that hard.

Breakfast is a no brainer as whole grain cereals, yogurt and fruit are readily available. My nephew chose prepackaged apple slices that come with a cup of caramel dip, he never even opened the dip, but ate the apples. Same is true of the apple slices "appetizer" in the TS meal, they can be ordered w/o the brown sugar, he chose no sugar.

For TS meals, we chose several buffets. You can make good or not so good choices there. Boma and Crystal Palace seem to offer the best healthy options.

CS you'll need to do some research. Your resort CS will have several vegetarian options (some may be cheese heavy). Our resort even had sushi, cheese and fruit or veggie plates. Any place you can get a burger you can get a veggie burger, most of the Boca burger variety.

I am a vegetarian and for over 30 yrs I've been reading ingredient labels and asking questions, trust me I had no problem getting full at WDW.

The Plaza has a great veggie sandwich and we really loved the Basil Mozz sandwich at the Main Street Bakery. You can get fresh fruit, energy bars and some healthier desserts there too. You said DS doesn't get sugary snacks, not sure if the Uncrustable PB&J fall into the category, but those are readily available at WDW. I think the chili a Columbia Harbor house is vegetarian.

WDW makes a point to include all 5 food groups on the kids meals; there is a purpose in those meal plans. Some of the TS places offer griled chicken or fish options. Milk, juice and water are a beverage option with every child meal, CS or TS.

The ice cream novelty carts have loads of Mickey bars, but also carry the frozen fruit bars too.

Bottom line, do some research before you arrive, have a strategy (plan A, B, C) and enjoy. I would consider this is a vacation so if there is a splurge item, use it here.

 

[wdwthanksgiving]

Yep, it depends on what you mean by healthy.

If you are looking for meals beyond chicken fingers, fries and a soda - it isn't hard at all.

If you normally eat organic foods, wild caught fish, grass fed beef, five to eight servings of fruits and vegetables - working in orange and dark green veggies and haven't had anything containing HFCS in years - or have some other definition of healthy - then it might be harder.

hahahahaha! do you think?!

there really are decent choices especially at the food courts in the hotels -and some of the counter service (sunshine is a good example) offer healthier alternatives. the table service was the hardiest for us but some of them will let you order sides for the kids (salad or veggies)
good luck!

 

[Sleeping Becca]

Eating in the parks can be a challenge. For counter service, I suggest the salads at Sunshine Seasons at Epcot. DF's daughter just loved the "sushi" platter for kids. Basically a california roll, but tasted really good. They also have grilled chicken, veggies and frozen fruit bars for dessert.

At AK, try Flame Tree BBQ. I know, this sounds nuts, but it's true. I had the best fruit plate with yogurt here.

At MK, try Cosmic Rays. This has the best broasted chicken, salads and soups. Also, the food is kosher. Alot of food as well on each plate, so you might want to share.

DHS (formerly MGM) is probably going to be your toughest challenge. The only place I found that is has a good selection of non-fried foods is Starring Rolls Bakery. Althoug the kids meal is just PBJ, the sandwiches are really good with enough meat on them to purchase a roll and make a kiddie size sandwich. You get good things on the sandwiches like red onion and sprouts. They also had alot of fruit available for dessert.

If you want TS, I suggest you leave the park and go the outlying resorts. You can usually find some heart healthy offerings there.

Starring rolls is a great choice. DD and I shared a sandwich there and it was delish!

(I also got grapefruit cake, not heathy at all, but oh so yummy)

 

[twins4me]

Thanks for all the advice. We do mostly eat organic at home but I know I can't expect that when we go out. I usually pack our own food for day trips but FL is too far! LOL
I will be eating some yummy treat from time to time along with the healthier options when we can. I just won't have the energy to run around all day long if I eat sugary snacks and fried food (besides our stomachs would be in shock!).
Jenn

 

[teacup princess]

Don't do the dining plan if you want your kids to eat healthy or at least search out the menus and decide where you are going to eat before you go based on the kids menus. Most kids meals are chicken nuggets, mac and cheese, pbj. You'd have better luck letting them share a healthier adult meal than the kids meals at Disney.