Healthy Dining Options?

[mickeyluv'r]

Does anyone else here on the DIS feel that WDW could do a whole lot more to encourage healthy dining? Some things I wish:

Fresh fruit. Sure there are a few places where you can get fruit, but many QS places have very limited healthy options, and what they do have is almost hidden, and so ordinary. (CSR's Pepper Market is a rare exception!)
Where's the fresh mango salad or salsa?

No slings here, but you don't have to be at WDW very long before you get the distinct impression that a funnel cake is not the kind of food most WDW visitors should be eating. They could top it with fresh strawberries. The American Pavillion in particular was bad: fries, hot dogs, UGH! I'm hoping they make big improvements! How much of an impact could WDW have if they offered an exciting, healthy American pavillion with innovative foods? I'd eat there!

Why does WDW serve citrus fruit from California?

Why do most kid's meals still come with fries as the main side option? WDW is starting to offer carrots and applesauce (It is VERY good that the applesauce has no added sugar), but they could do SO much more! Is the option of a kid size pizza with veggies too much to ask for?

Healthy beverage choices for refillable mugs. The healthy drinks are relegated to a case on the back wall in most locations, BEHIND the display of refillable soda/coffee mugs. Could they have a 'healthy mug' that you can fill with OJ, tomato juice, milk, spring water, etc? What about something fun - like a fresh squeezed juice bar? In DTD, they have a cool designer cup you can fill with sugar slushee, what if they also offered granita-type, real-fruit slushes, how awesome would that be?

What would you like to see at WDW?

 

[scanne]

I, too, would like to see more healthy food EVERYWHERE - not just WDW, but I think there are two main factors.

1. Cost
2. Convenience

The applesauce cups are convenient as are bags of carrots with the kids meals. But certain locations are only equipped to make certain foods. However, I think if the began offering grilled chicken sammies on whole grain rolls, fresh fruit in addition to brownies/cakes/ice cream, low fat, low sugar options all around - these would be a welcome addition.

I think most people that are on vacation tend to not be so concerned with what they eat. I know that I try to watch myself every day, 365 days a year. But when I go on vacation and I want a cheeseburger, fries and a Mickey Bar, I don't deny myself. I try not to eat like that every day, but a couple of meals like that are good for the soul (not so good for the arteries ).

I think that Disney fares pretty well with healthy options - and I always ask my server at TS places to modify if I can (no oil/butter, steamed veggies, etc) but I also do that when I'm NOT on vacation.

I think the general public eats what is quick and convenient and that's what keeps the $$$ rolling in for WDW.

JMHO.

 

[erikthewise]

While there are things they could do, as far as I can tell EVERY TS and CS location has healthy choices available including vegetarian options. WDW makes it available but they can't make choices for us.

Fresh fruit is available in all four parks, but could be in more places. As it is you sometimes have to know where to look for it. But even for the best intentioned, we can get fresh fruit and vegetables anytime, but Mickey bars only at WDW....

 

[mickeyluv'r]

Waht you've said is true, but is there a way that Disney could create equal demand for 'sugar snap pea' stir fry? Not everything I crave at WDW is junk, one of my favorite places to eat at WDW is Boma - and from what I've seen there, I'm not the only one; it's become increasingly popular. I think some of things that make Boma so refreshing are that they have fresh fruit, creative salads, many veggie options, and creative soup ideas. Everything is wonderfully colorful and unique- relative to other places to eat in this country. I think Disney could, and should, expand upon the popularity of Boma-type food.

I think Disney is FAR better than say, a Six Flags, but I also think Disney is in a unique position of influence. There is a huge potential.

Why are there SO many DIS-ers who want outside groceries? Is it merely to save money? Convenience? Or is it also because they just can't stand to eat junk food for an entire week? I know with our family, we crave fresh fruit, veggies, and fiber. Are we are alone in this?

 

[dylansmom1]

I think diney has done fairly well in the last 5 years or so to include healthier options. When I made my first trip about 14 years ago you were lucky to get a salad outside of Epcot. Everything seemed fried or pre-packaged. The food now is a vast improvement. But you are right that better options for kids meals would be nice. My kid is a picky eater but will eat fresh apples/applesauce and it would be a nice substitution for fried, greasy food. Knowing my kid, he will eat enough pizza and chicken fiingers to last a lifetime.

Jane

 

[Ava]

Why does WDW serve citrus fruit from California?

Most of the oranges grown in Florida are juice oranges; navel oranges & the like, the types that are best to eat, mostly come from CA.

WDW is 100x better than any other theme park when it comes to healthy dining options, but I agree that there is still more they could do. Several times my DP & I went to check out a CS restaurant because it had the "vegetarian options" symbol next to it on the park map, only to find that the one vegetarian thing on the menu was a plain garden salad made with iceberg lettuce. Boring, and not filling enough to make a meal with.

I was glad to see that most places had the option of healthier side items with the kids meals, instead of just french fries all the time. But couldn't they give the same options for the adult meals? A few places we went did give the choice of fries or carrots, but at most places the adult combo was a sandwich & fries, no other option. And how about giving adults the choice of juice or milk as well, instead of just sodas?

 

[mickeyluv'r]

Most of the oranges grown in Florida are juice oranges; navel oranges & the like, the types that are best to eat, mostly come from CA.

I wondered if WDW just didn't just get a great deal from Sunkist, since they are a bulk buyer.

Yeah, I wish they offered adults the choices you listed. Somtimes at QS locations we order extra kids' meals and share - in part to get the milk. I usually drink milk in my coffee. I hate Cremora/non dairy cream.