Healthy choices at WDW

[TheDisneyNurse]

Hey, everyone! I apologize if this isn't the correct forum. I'll be headed to WDW for my annual family christmas time trip in a little under 2 weeks. So excited! However, I do have a few concerns about my meals during the trip (I can't believe I'm even typing this lol)

I'm down 40 pounds over the past few months. I'm very strict with counting calories because of my tendency to overeat, and I know from a previous Disney day trip in October that Disney doesn't have calorie counts readily available (not at all their eateries, at least) I know it's a vacation, so I will loosen up the reigns a bit. That being said, I don't want to pig out completely so close to the holidays.

Foodies, whats some of your favorite Disney dishes that are more on the healthy side? What quick service places are known for healthier options? I don't eat anything deep fried. I'm transitioning into being a vegetarian, so I no longer eat red meat or pork. I eat chicken 2-3 times a week. I don't eat fish (I know, I'm making this difficult lol) I'm usually a food expert, but I've eaten horribly my whole life up until recently. I'm ashamed to say that I've totally ignored anything healthy in Disney all these years lol.

The only ADR's we have are Raglan Road and Biergarten.

(and just for fun, here's a progress shot)

 

[NH-to-FL]

Congratulations on your progress!

I am probably not the best to comment but my favorite "healthy" offerings are places that offer roasted chicken. Sunshine Seasons is one and I found that they will let you choose from their various sides. Cosmic Ray's also has a rotisserie chicken but it comes with mashed potatoes.

Wishing you a magical visit!

 

[loves to dive]

I eat healthy and rarely eat fried foods or beef that often, I do eat chicken almost all the time. If I'm eating QS I get a kid's meal, you can almost always get a turkey sandwich, they come with fruit instead of fries and a drink, I get a bottle of water. I love Pecos Bills in MK, I get a bowl and go to the toppings bar for guac, salsa, etc. At AK I get the chicken fried rice from Yak and Yeti QS, it's huge and I actually end up not eating it all, at Epcot I tend to go to Tangerience Cafe in Morocco if I'm doing QS, loads of options. HS I don't do QS, we go to Brown Derby and I get the appetizer Cobb Salad. There are fruit stands in every park for snacks. If I'm eating TS, just about every restaurant in every park has a baked, broiled or roasted chicken option, just pay attention to the menu or ask the wait staff if there are sauces, if so request they not be added. If they have veggies ask for those but ask how they are cooked, often they put a butter sauce on them, ask them not to.

 

[TheDisneyNurse]

I eat healthy and rarely eat fried foods or beef that often, I do eat chicken almost all the time. If I'm eating QS I get a kid's meal, you can almost always get a turkey sandwich, they come with fruit instead of fries and a drink, I get a bottle of water. I love Pecos Bills in MK, I get a bowl and go to the toppings bar for guac, salsa, etc. At AK I get the chicken fried rice from Yak and Yeti QS, it's huge and I actually end up not eating it all, at Epcot I tend to go to Tangerience Cafe in Morocco if I'm doing QS, loads of options. HS I don't do QS, we go to Brown Derby and I get the appetizer Cobb Salad. There are fruit stands in every park for snacks. If I'm eating TS, just about every restaurant in every park has a baked, broiled or roasted chicken option, just pay attention to the menu or ask the wait staff if there are sauces, if so request they not be added. If they have veggies ask for those but ask how they are cooked, often they put a butter sauce on them, ask them not to.

Thanks so much for the suggestions!

 

[Chirple]

Congratulations on your weight loss! I have asked for entree salads with dressing on the side. Then I sprinkle a little bit over my salad. I also ask if substitutions are possible, like replacing potatoes with extra green vegetables. Stick to water/unsweetened beverages, which will help flush out the sodium.

 

[jvz82]

I've lost 90 pounds recently (been at my goal weight for 7 months now) and I lost the weight while still eating foods I enjoy, just in moderation. I think one of the biggest problems I used to have with food was portion control and just overeating so that was a skill I had to teach myself. The portions at Disney are huge, so it is a problem! Maybe you can share meals with someone? I have a toddler and I plan to share my meals with him... this often works for me when I go out to eat. I don't know what healthy options there will be at Disney but I know one of the most important things will be trying to eat mindfully and stopping when I'm full.

I do intend to splurge though. I'm going to be walking so much that I'm sure some extra calories won't hurt, plus it's vacation. I know from experience that even if I gain several pounds because of a few days of overeating, most of it is water weight and once I start eating better again the weight comes off within days.

 

[TheDisneyNurse]

I've lost 90 pounds recently (been at my goal weight for 7 months now) and I lost the weight while still eating foods I enjoy, just in moderation. I think one of the biggest problems I used to have with food was portion control and just overeating so that was a skill I had to teach myself. The portions at Disney are huge, so it is a problem! Maybe you can share meals with someone? I have a toddler and I plan to share my meals with him... this often works for me when I go out to eat. I don't know what healthy options there will be at Disney but I know one of the most important things will be trying to eat mindfully and stopping when I'm full.

I do intend to splurge though. I'm going to be walking so much that I'm sure some extra calories won't hurt, plus it's vacation. I know from experience that even if I gain several pounds because of a few days of overeating, most of it is water weight and once I start eating better again the weight comes off within days.

90 pounds, omg! CONGRATULATIONS!!! Portion control is definitely my biggest problem! That, and my little Italian heart that wants pasta with everything

Thanks for the advice!

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

Plus keep in mind you will be increasing your walking activity while at Disney so that should help fend off any bad calories you eat. I tend to come home weighing 5 lbs lighter with all the walking. Did 40 miles on a recent 3 day trip.

 

[TheDisneyNurse]

Plus keep in mind you will be increasing your walking activity while at Disney so that should help fend off any bad calories you eat. I tend to come home weighing 5 lbs lighter with all the walking. Did 40 miles on a recent 3 day trip.

Not a surprise! Disney isn't your typical vacation I'm hooked on my apple watch, and my calorie record was set in Disney of couse

 

[Miffy]

First--congratulations! Your progress is awesome, and you must feel great.

I'm vegan and have been both vegan and vegetarian at WDW. When you go to a table service restaurant, even without calling in your preferences first, you can discuss your dietary needs with an executive chef, and nearly every table service restaurant I've been to at WDW has been able to make something--often something fantastic--to accommodate my needs and preferences.

My go-to places are:

At MK: Columbia Harbour House. Their really delish Lighthouse Sandwich is hummus on whole grain bread. It has slaw in it, which I don't get since it has mayonnaise. The sandwich comes with chips, but there's no need to get the sides that come with anything. Just ask for something else instead. I believe CHH has steamed broccoli as a side. CHH also has vegetarian chili, which my DH really likes. And salads. You can always get bags of raw carrots or grapes. Just because something isn't included in the dish as described on the menu doesn't mean you can't get it--or that you're stuck with it. Just ask for any elimination or substitution or addition you want. Outside CHH there are often food carts with baked potatoes--they start off plain, so you can decide what, if anything, to add--and sometimes baked sweet potatoes as well. And iirc, corn on the cob (plain) as well. And lots of fresh fruit.

I used to go to Cosmic Ray's, which had a vegan veggie burger, which I read recently they no longer serve and in fact have zero vegan options now. Boo hoo!

At AK: Yak & Yeti. They make me a special bamboo container of steamed veggies that's really great. I know--steamed veggies. Doesn't sound so great, but there it is. And their rice is excellent. Also, Pizzafari (QS place) made me a special vegan pizza last time I was there...and it was delish! The Dinoland QS joint used to have a veggie burger, but I'm not sure if they do anymore. I haven't been there in a couple of years.

At Epcot: Sunshine Seasons (in The Land) has several vegetarian and otherwise healthy dishes, although lately their vegan dish hasn't been to my liking. But there are usually salads there and I'm sure a few chicken options. Tangierine Cafe in Morocco has a fantastic vegetarian platter--that's a must-go-to spot for me at Epcot.

At DHS: This is getting harder and harder. Rosie's (the QS place) used to have a vegan veggie burger, and I believe they no longer do. They do have a caesar salad there, I believe, if you would like that. We usually go to Mama Melrose's and they make me a plain old dish of spaghetti marinara. It's not on the menu, but they always make it for me. And the salads there are also really good. There used to be many other vegan options at DHS that have disappeared, I'm sorry to say. So my knowledge of other restaurants there is slim to none.

It's worth a trip to AKL, even if you're not staying there, just to see the animals. But all the restaurants at AKL have loads of vegetarian and vegan food choices, and I've never been disappointed with a meal at Jiko, Sanaa, or even the Mara, which is AKL's QS place. I've never eaten at Boma, the buffet, but I hear it's great for vegetarians and vegans (and omnis!) alike.

Rainforest Cafe--both outside DAK and in DS--has a delicious veggie burger that's vegan (not that you'd care--but I do!).

Trail's End (in Fort Wildnerness)--awesome dinner buffet that has a large variety of vegetarian, vegan, and omni items alike. Something (a lot of somethings!) for everyone--and it's fun to go to the fort.

Hope this helps a bit! And congrats again! It's actually easy to eat well at WDW. You need to plan a little, since you don't want to get stuck at a QS place that can't accommodate all (or most of) your needs, but you don't have to go crazy making ADRs all over the place and calling ahead with your preferences.