Eating Healthy while at WDW

[surgefest]

Just wanted to see what tips or specific items everyone had for continuing your healthy eating while on vacation at WDW. My fear is that i let myself go too much and have trouble getting back on the wagon when the vacation is over. Also the fact that if i eat too much of things my body isnt used to i just dont feel well afterwards. So anyway. Any tips or advice would be great. Also tips for eating at the buffets would be awesome also! thanks!

 

[GrumpyOne]

You may need to clarify "eat healthy" since that means different things to different people.

I would suggest you check out the restaurant menus for what's realistic for you.

At home, I tend to eat a high-protein, high-fiber diet and know that I'm going to have to do some planning to avoid all of the garbage if I don't want to pay an arm-and-a-leg. For counter service, stuff that's grilled and meat sandwiches (hold the bread) will do.

I'll also get sauces/dressings on the side when possible and skip the soda and drink water.

I don't really see a problem with buffets for my eating habits. They tend to have bacon and eggs at breakfast and various sliced meats at lunch/dinner with veggies.

Don't forget that the resorts have a store that sells basic snacks (some healthy) and that there are two trading posts over at Ft. Wilderness with a better selection. Some places in the parks also sell fresh fruit.

 

[FireDancer]

I agree that eating healthy means different things to different people. I would suggest trying to stay about as close to your normal routine and diet as necessary and do some planning to stay on track.

I am one of those people who tries to eat as healthy as I can on vacation, even at WDW. I am a little less strict while I am there but instead of changing my normal diet I just allow myself a couple of desserts, which I rarely do at home.

A couple of things to keep in mind while you are there. First, I would stay away from the dinning plan. In order to get your money out of it you have to use all the credits and often that means eating just so you don't feel jipped. If it works budget wise for you (or you are getting free dinning) remember that eating just to use all your credits is probably not the best idea. Second, the Disney menu is generally not designed with health in mind (with exceptions) but often times a very simple substitution can make a fatty dish into something healthy. It could be getting an entrée without the sauce it comes with, asking for a dish to be cooked without butter, or substituting one side dish for something a little healthier. Disney is very good about altering their menu for "dietary restrictions", there is no reason you have to tell them the restriction is health related instead of allergy related.

Here are some of my preferred restaurants:
Boma, Tusker House, Crystal Palace (all buffets)
The Wave. I had a black bean soup and tuna
Kona. The Asian Noodle bowl (Lunch menu only)

Check the menu page at wdwinfo and allears to find something that you may like.

 

[corinnak]

Here's what I've found with my weight loss and Disney vacations this year:

If you go into it with the attitude that it is not a free-for-all, you can easily maintain your weight on a Disney vacation. My guidelines for eating sanely at Disney (and I apologize if these all seem like common sense):

1. Avoid eating to the point of being uncomfortably full. Stop when I've had enough.

2. The entrees are often quite large. The kids meals are a more appropriate size for me, and at counter service restaurants, I will often get a kids meal. At table service restaurants, my sainted husband will often split an entree with me and we'll each get our own salads.

3. Skip or Share desserts - there is no need to eat a whole one of those enormous things.

4. Enjoy the theme parks and volunteer to go get the next set of fastpasses, too. It is amazing how much walking there is in the Disney-verse. It's not a free pass in the food department, but it definitely helps.

6. Shop for groceries, bring groceries from home, have groceries delivered from Gardengrocer.com or buy a few things in the resort shop. We usually eat breakfast in the room. It's nice to have the option for healthy sandwiches, fruits and veggies for a lunch or dinner here and there as well.

8. Most importantly, no matter how I fare on vacation, I commit to a full-recommitment to my healthy eating plan upon my return home! Any weight I bring home with me will be easier to lose if I jump right back in when I'm back on my home turf.

 

[disneychrista]

I agree take a look at the menu's posted online and make a plan. Knowing in advance what your options are makes it much easier to keep your eating on task. And don't be afraid to ask for things the way you want them...even at counter service. The worst that can happen is they say no.

 

[surgefest]

Sorry if i didn't clarify what i meant by eating healthy sooner. But pretty much like everyone has been saying. Low cal, low fat, low sugar... high protein high fiber... lots of veggies and salads and your basic lean meats. Let me also say i used to eat whatever i wanted whenever i wanted.... I decided it was time to get into shape though and lost over 110lbs.... now i'm borderline obsessive about my workouts and eating healthier and staying fit...haha.. the first time i went back to disney after dropping all of my weight i went to a buffet and tried to eat like i used to (not by design) and got very sick! So i'm just learning now how to "control" myself if you will.. Thanks for your tips and advice...

 

[Tiger Lily 03]

Congratulations on your determination to remain in your healthy lifestyle. It will work if you consider it that way. Enjoy your vaca and keep your portions small. All advice is great and I often find myself benefitting from questions as yours. Thanks for asking!

 

[ohMom]

Columbia Harbour House has great options; choose fruit/veggie instead of french fries. if you are on DDP, you can choose fruit as your dessert. with extra snack credits i got rice kripsie treats to bring home and give to friends. we try to eat one sit-down meal a day, the other is a lighter meal or big snack. I got a great salad near RnR, Fantasmic entrance for a counter service, the Fairfax salad. so good didn't need any dressing

 

[surgefest]

Thanks so much... Really great advice that made me feel pretty confident that its going to be a piece of cake... (or piece of fruit....) haha... Any other advice or tips... Has anyone ever had any issues ordering issues made "specially" without certain things?

 

[FireDancer]

Thanks so much... Really great advice that made me feel pretty confident that its going to be a piece of cake... (or piece of fruit....) haha... Any other advice or tips... Has anyone ever had any issues ordering issues made "specially" without certain things?

Nope, I have never had an issue. In certain aspects I am a picky eater. Not picky in an afraid to try strange things way but picky in how I like things prepared. I have never liked a lot of condiments (ketchup, mustard, mayo, etc) and even eat salad without dressing. I have never had to send anything back at Disney.

Are you a walker/jogger/runner? You will get a lot of walking in the parks of course but there are some killer walks on property that I would not miss. The two that come to mind are walking from the Poly to the GF (through the pathways, not just on the road) and walking from the Swan/Dolphin over towards DHS and back around the canal to the Boardwalk. If you have some time to kill a walk around the river at POR is also worth a look.