Eating healthy on at Disney

[Disneycrazedmomof2]

I'm pretty sure this is a crazy question... but by the time I take my first trip back to WDW in 23 years, I will have worked very hard and have lost nearly 70 lbs. I don't care to gain them all back in one trip! Are there smarter choices available? I have looked at most of the menus were my reservations are, and at a few quick service places. I know at table service areas, they will somewhat accomodate requests, but... does anyone have any tips on smarter dining at Quick service restaurants?

 

[amyy]

I don't think your questions is crazy at all.

I am not sure about the Quick service places but I am sure you can find some fresh fruit and salad options. I will try to post a link to our photos from our recent trip as I got some really yummy fruit plates (except they were at table service).

Are you going to stop by the grocery store or have groceries delivered? This will give you some control too.

 

[SplashMo]

For Counter Service

AK has the flame tree BBQ. If you choose carefully you can eat healthy here


EP - Land Pavilion there is a cafeteria style restaurant outside SOARIN that you can eat healthy at.

Any of the fancier restaurants should be able to get you something.

One easy trick is to sub extra veggies for pasta on a dish that has a chicken breast or Salmon...

 

[amyy]

http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/2010/02/04/eating-healthy-in-walt-disney-world/
This blog looks like it has some good info.

 

[Disneycrazedmomof2]

Thanks to both of you for your help! Amyy I'll check that link out at later tonight.

 

[tinkandpan]

It's not crazy at all- people think Disney and think about some heavier choices. But there are indeed lighter choices. You can do sushi at tokyo dining, sunshine seasons has some good options, Morocco counter service is good. At AKL we like Tusker house buffet and there are great options there, as in all the signature restaurants. Kona has some great choices, California Grille, Columbia harbour house all come to mind.

 

[lcarterbridges]

not a silly question!

i too am very wary of not pigging out at disney when ive been working so hard to get in shape!

Ive been to disney almost every year since i was little and there are plenty of better food options if you look around.

most places will have a counter service that has at least a wrap or a salad. most have fruit for desert or a sugar free option which is good.
for snacking you can get yoghurts, sugar free snacks, turkey leg in MK is low carb at least! lol

all of the table service have something you can put together. i actually make little daily cards to carry whilst we are at disney, saying where our dinner reservation is and where the "best options" for food in the park for that day is, along with which park we are visiting, extra magic hours, parade times etc.

Dont worry tho, there are plenty of options if you really want to be healthier...granted not always the most exciting of options, but if youve dieted 70lbs away your used to that anyway! like me! lol

have a great time!
lauren x

 

[nboicepardee]

I agree with all above posters. It is the same as eating out anywhere....there will be many temptations, but there are always better choices. I tend to skip the snacks offered in the parks and bring along my own. We also always eat breakfast in the room, so I know those choices are good ones. Sometimes I split a counter service entree which helps with portions. Also, since I always do sooooo much walking while at Disney, I don't tend to gain wait and on one trip I even lost 2 or 3 pounds! I do typically have one unhealthier choice counter service per trip (like a burger and fries) and maybe have dessert once too, but for the most part, I can find healthier choices. It definitely is easier to do with table service, so if you do one of those a day that will help.

Congratulations on your weight loss! What an accomplishment.

 

[Forevryoung]

My mom is a nutritionist and has very specific food "needs" (lower sodium, nothing creamy, fried, no red meat... lots of fruits and veggies!)

I had to get creative with restaurant choices but she was IMPRESSED to say the least- not that I thought Disney wouldn't be able to alter something.

We ate at Spoodles (now Kouzzina), Tokyo Dining, Beaches and Cream, Crystal Palace (breakfast), and the Plaza during our short stay. We brought breakfast from home. Lunches I was able to find spots that had something she would eat (Sunshine Seasons) or we grazed (a piece of fresh fruit and a soft pretzel etc.)

My mom, a "buffet hater" who isn't much of a breakfast person really really enjoyed Crystal Palace and found plenty to eat.

 

[Disneycrazedmomof2]

Thanks to all. I was planning to have in-room breakfast and bring our own snacks along. But I knew that wasn't going to sustain me all day! Glad to know I don't have to worry. Seemed like most people I talked to said exactly the opposite. Glad to know I won't come back feeling like I ate the MK!

 

[rjb123]

We are leaving on Saturday for our Disney trip (yay!) and I had the same thought. I recently lost 30 pounds and while I am looking forward to having afew treats, I am hoping to stay OP for the most part too. (I do weight watchers). Glad to hear that there are some good choices out there.

 

[jcieutat]

I face the same situation every trip. I live a low carb/low sugar lifestyle. The good thing is you can get a salad at just about every location. These for sure have good salads:

AK - Flame Tree Barbecue
MK - Cosmic Rays Starlight Cafe
EPcot - Liberty Inn
HS - Pizza Planet

I tend to splurge a little while over there but I will work out and run in the mornings while the family is still in bed!

 

[MMMMickey]

I'm in the same boat. Can someone confirm that you can change out french fries for apple slices/grapes with your combo meal?

 

[Sandi]

I'm in the same boat. Can someone confirm that you can change out french fries for apple slices/grapes with your combo meal?

They'll let you swap out the french fries, but sometimes apple slices won't be an option. I think most of the CS restaurants have carrots and grapes. There are a few that allowed yogurt to sub as well (I think this is up to the discretion of the person taking your order and seemed inconsistent).

Sunshine Seasons and Tangerine Cafe at Epcot have great choices.

Something else DD16 and I did when we wanted a "treat" was to split a hambuger and fries meal. We'd order two drinks and it was more than enough food. Also, remember that the CS restaurants will give you a cup of ice water -- you don't have to get bottled water.

 

[Disneycrazedmomof2]

We are leaving on Saturday for our Disney trip (yay!) and I had the same thought. I recently lost 30 pounds and while I am looking forward to having afew treats, I am hoping to stay OP for the most part too. (I do weight watchers). Glad to hear that there are some good choices out there.

I do WW too. You'll have to let me know how easy or not easy it was for you to track. That is the KEY to my successes. That and we're not leaving until AFTER my Tuesday Meeting!

Thanks all for you tips! These are great and I'll be sure to jot the specific ones down.

 

[kjs1976]

I've lost 22 lbs on WW and we just got back from 4 days in Florida. I'm at my goal weight and had dreams before we went that I would eat too much! Not so! I even lost one pound while on vacation and without working out for 4 days.

I followed my points and did the foods I wanted in moderation. I love the WDW popcorn and it was a healthy choice. Two cups was enough for me. I wanted a mickey waffle so I enjoyed one small one at our 'Ohana b-fast after I filled up on fresh fruit. Instead of eating a whole chocolate croissant for b-fast each morning liked I used to in the past, I bought one and allowed myself one savory bite with my coffee in the morning. I even brought it home and after 6 days, just threw the rest away. I had half of a skinny margarita by the pool...that was enough to make me loopy! Hadn't had hard alcohol in such a long time! My one splurge was sharing mint ice cream with my daughter one night. Again, my very fav treat and I did it in moderation with the rest of my day.

Fresh fruit is always available. My nightly snack is a bowl of watermelon and I could find it anywhere. Although we stayed off property this time, I grabbed some when we went to AKL to see the animals.

Salads at Earl of Sandwich in DTD are made by scratch so you can tell them to omit any ingredient and put the dressing on the side. Salads, salads everywhere! I think I've eaten one at just about every quick service location!

I agree with what others have said. Get to know the menus well so you can plan out all of your meals. That way you'll feel better about knowing exactly what you're eating and stay more on track.