Food help please

[tinkerjo]

So we are nearing our 60 day window and need to schedule our dining next week. Problem is, my husband is a huge foodie and it is very much a part of his experience. Me on the other hand am on a GLP-1 trying to desperately lose weight. (Down 39 pounds!) I don’t want to go off it for a week to eat more, I’m trying to make better lifelong choices. Where can we go and get a great experience where I don’t feel like I need to eat huge amounts of food to make it worth it? We would normally eat places like Biergarten and hoop Dee doo but I feel this would be a waste of money
ETA- we are staying at Coronado Springs, have a car, and will be visiting all 4 parks

 

[MICKIMINI]

Look at menus for good ap's. I can be happy with a single ap or maybe get two and share with family. We often get a dessert to split! Make sure you enjoy those little bites LOL! Allears.net menus.

 

[reddog21]

You’re overthinking it; you can usually find something at almost any restaurant. I can’t think of a place that doesn’t offer baked chicken, fish, a salad, or even something from the kids’ menu.

My wife and I don’t eat much, so we end up splitting a meal about 90% of the time, but my two boys love to eat and can’t resist a good buffet. For us, it feels like a complete waste of money because of how little we eat, but seeing how much they enjoy it makes it worth it. Go to Beirgarten get the roasted chicken/potatoes/they had some carrots last time I was there, skip the desserts.

IMO I wouldn't make my wife pass on her favorite restaurants because of me.

 

[scrappinginontario]

We choose locations we like then each choose what food item(s) works for us. I'd feel bad if my family had to miss their favourites due to my choice to eat less. Also, there are almost no dining experiences at Disney that I feel like I got my money's worth. Dining at Disney is expensive so I go and enjoy the experience and try not to think about the cost. After conversion into CDN $ we paid over $300 to eat at CRT. Did we eat enough to justify that? Not a chance but the experience was worth it for a special treat!

 

[tinkerjo]

I would never tell him we can’t go somewhere just for my quest to eat less. I told him we could still do these if he wanted and he’s the one who feels like it’s a waste of money when I won’t eat as much. When we went last year we over ate so bad!! We still plan to monorail crawl one night and eat at the polite pig. Just trying to find a suggestion on some place (maybe new to us) where he can get a really good meal and I can too but smaller portion. One week of eating a little more won’t kill me and I will be much more active than at home but would prefer to skip the buffets and all you can eat. No kids/grandkids on this trip, just us

 

[Lumpy1106]

I would suggest Topolinos for dinner in RIV. We had a fantastic dining experience there. Our waiter was excellent and had an amazing knowledge of the menu and the various options available, even if they were not technically on the menu. My DS works in a high end restaurant in Santa Barbara and the two of them spoke extensively on the food, wine and drinks menus. It was the literal Chef's Kiss of our trip. Great view of the fireworks over Epcot too.

 

[Marthasor]

I would never tell him we can’t go somewhere just for my quest to eat less. I told him we could still do these if he wanted and he’s the one who feels like it’s a waste of money when I won’t eat as much. When we went last year we over ate so bad!! We still plan to monorail crawl one night and eat at the polite pig. Just trying to find a suggestion on some place (maybe new to us) where he can get a really good meal and I can too but smaller portion. One week of eating a little more won’t kill me and I will be much more active than at home but would prefer to skip the buffets and all you can eat. No kids/grandkids on this trip, just us

I think any a la carte restaurant where the menu appeals would work for you. Your husband could order as much as he would like and you could even just order off the app menu if that appeals more. Two places I really like are Shiki Sai in Japan at EP as it's more of a small plate/shareable type of menu and Spice Road Table in Morocco which also has small plates. But honestly, anything that is not a buffet or AYCTE could work for you.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

We really enjoy the restaurants right at Coronado. And you can enjoy a nice walk there! Three Bridges, Maya Grill, Toledo’s gets good reviews (though we haven’t eaten there yet). I think you should frame it differently in your mind and just enjoy the experience and try to order something light. And go earlier than usual, maybe, to let yourself digest so you don’t feel sick trying to sleep with an overly full belly. Also avoid some of the really fatty stuff which can make you feel unwell. Other places we’ve enjoyed recently are Sebastian’s and Olivia’s. Geyser Point is nice. Congratulations on your weight loss. Keep it going!

 

[LoveDaisy]

If your husband is a foodie and would like that type of experience and you would like a small portion I would look at the signature restaurants. IMO the food is a lot better than hoop or Biergarten, he could enjoy a multi course meal and you could have soup or an appetizer.

 

[Debbie Jean]

It sounds like you are familiar with restaurants and I agree with others that finding healthy choices from the menu isn’t usually an issue… even at buffets. It’s about actually making the right choice in the moment.

I understand… at 73 I have a laundry list of health issues including taking Ozempic last 2 years for diabetes…. have lost over 60 lbs and A1C is 5.5. Just got back from WDW and ate lots of places. Loved the buffet at Crystal Palace with lots of healthy choices. Garden Grill? Healthy options, though I didn’t eat lots. Options are there… it’s about choices in the moment.

BTW, I came home down 3 lbs in 2 weeks.

 

[Skippyboo]

Look at the DS places like Jaleo - tapas, Boathouse, Morimoto Asia, Summer House,

Flying Fish at Boardwalk, 3 Three Bridges.

Places where you can get an appetizer and/or a salad and he has multiple options.

 

[Aaryana]

My dad has a lot of medical issues and some difficulty swallowing. He doesn’t eat much, so he and my mom often share a plate. Can you split an entree with someone?

 

[VicarJT]

I think that Jaleo would be great for both of you. My spouse eats a lot less than I do. When we go, our meal is made up of different tapas with me eating a larger portion of each serving than she does, but by and large, we are eating the same foods.

 

[tinkerjo]

My dad has a lot of medical issues and some difficulty swallowing. He doesn’t eat much, so he and my mom often share a plate. Can you split an entree with someone?

My husband can eat his entire plate usually and this is just a trip for the 2 of us this time

 

[hsmamato2]

You can find a healthy option at virtually any location in WDW.... OP mentioned Polite Pig.... even there. Salads,veggie sides are a good thing to look for on any menu.If at a buffet, it's harder to choose wisely but very doable.

 

[Sweettears]

We really enjoy the restaurants right at Coronado. And you can enjoy a nice walk there! Three Bridges, Maya Grill, Toledo’s gets good reviews (though we haven’t eaten there yet). I think you should frame it differently in your mind and just enjoy the experience and try to order something light. And go earlier than usual, maybe, to let yourself digest so you don’t feel sick trying to sleep with an overly full belly. Also avoid some of the really fatty stuff which can make you feel unwell. Other places we’ve enjoyed recently are Sebastian’s and Olivia’s. Geyser Point is nice. Congratulations on your weight loss. Keep it going!

Toledos is great. They bill themselves as a tapas restaurant offering small plates but they have full entrees as well

 

[gottalovepluto]

Il Mulino at Swan will do half size on some pasta dishes and will validate parking for dining. I often order the gnocchi bolognese half size. I’m a lighter eater who almost always leaves food on my plate when I go out, but not there as it’s a perfect amount for me.

 

[BarbLynnM]

A suggestion: In AK, Satuli canteen—the bowls are unusual and delicious; grilled meat choices of chicken, beef etc. that aren’t fried or breaded, choice of sauce, starch or lack of like a salad (if memory serves) and choice of topping. I can’t recall the one we get, but it’s an onion vinaigrette. I personally get a tickle from the boba balls that add a little dash of flavor. The dish is IMHO different than many on property, and not expensive. Added bonus is the theming.

 

[TheDailyMoo]

I'm on one of the most restrictive diets anyone could ever be on as a lifestyle and we go to buffets often at Disney. All I do is load up on veggies and fish and salad (no dressing). But I always leave feeling like I got my money's worth and that I didn't miss out. The worst of it is the amount of oil and salt they douse everything in but if that's the worst of it then let that be it. Stay away from the calorie dense foods, the heavy carbs, and unfortunately the desserts. Although to be honest the buffets are the perfect place for dieters as you can grab a piece of (insert bad for you food here) and take the smallest bite, get the satisfaction of tasting it, then throw it out. And zero guilt that you paid $15 for a chocolate cake or something because it's all included. But also...have a little fun too!

 

[zackiedawg]

In general, the higher end signature restaurants concentrate less on food volume and more on quality, creativity, spices and flavors. Better quality meats and seafoods, individually cooked to order and specifically spiced and sides and sauces designed to pair with the meats. While some can still be fattening, most tend to be less calorie and fat loaded so usually better, healthier choices - you don't necessarily have to look for a full diet plate unless you're specifically trying a specific type of diet.

I always recommend Jiko - it remains one of the finest restaurants on Disney property, and does a great job incorporating African and Mediterranean spices to their proteins and have so many complex layers of flavor. Other good choices for me are Toledo, Topolino's, Wine Bar George, and Tiffins. I think all of those would be easy to satisfy a 'foodie' as well as offer reasonable sized and reasonably healthy dishes without being 'diet' plates of plain unseasoned vegetables and dry meat.