Healthy Eating for Kids in WDW

[FUNMAMADIS]

We try as a family to generally eat well, but we are FAR from perfect. I knew I didn’t want to spend a week in WDW with my kids only eating hot dogs, Mac n cheese and chicken tenders. They would feel and act awful if they did. I also knew I would feel far less guilty about the amount of desserts and treats they were eating, if we focused on getting lots of veggies, fruit and healthy proteins into them during our meals.

This was far easier to do because they can’t read yet (they are 3) and many of the menus don’t have photos. They are much more willing to choose between grilled chicken and grilled fish, if they don’t know cheeseburgers are on the menu. They love French fries, but I always order them and a fruit or vegetable as a side item. They have to eat the other item and their main course before diving into the French fries.

And once last note, my daughter loves bacon. No, adores is probably the better word. She even has a bracelet with I love bacon on it. She can detect bacon being cooked 1 mile away, if it is around, she’s eating it. I don’t even try to suggest anything else, it isn’t worth it.

Here’s what they ate, I hope it is helpful to anyone else trying to do the same thing with their kids.

Day 1:
Dinner at Pepper Market: Shared with us the Carved Entrée (roasted pork) and Fish of the Day. Served with rice and roasted vegetables.

Day 2:
Breakfast at Earl of Sandwich: Milk, fruit cup, and Blueberry Muffin

Lunch at Cinderella’s Table: Grapes, Cheddar Cheese, Hummus, Crackers, Roasted Chicken Leg, Brocolli, Rice, Make your Own Cupcakes

Dinner at Columbia Harbor House: Split with us Fish Basket, Fruit, Milk

Day 3:
Pre-Breakfast Snack in Room: Kashi Cereal Bars, Milk

Brunch at Tusker House: Waffles, Fruit, Bacon, Eggs

Snack at Yak and Yeti: Fried Green Beans

Dinner at Pollo Campero: Grilled Chicken, Black Beans and Rice, Fruit Cup, Milk
(One of our favorite meals of the trip. The grilled chicken was the most flavorful and juiciest I've ever had!)

Day 4:
Breakfast at Hollywood and Vine: Eggs, Muffin, Bacon, Fruit

Lunch: Cupcakes (it was my birthday, we went little nuts!)

Dinner at Sanaa: Sustainable Fish, Grilled Shrimp, Naan, Roasted Red Pepper Hummus, Rice, Vegetables, Cookie

Day 5:

Breakfast in Room: Kashi Cereal Bars in Room

Lunch at Seasons: Grilled Chicken Legs, Carrots, Grapes

Dinner (Various Epcot Quick Service): Lamb Shawarma, Hummus, Pita, Chicken Tacos, Nacho Chips, School Bread

Day 6:

Breakfast at Pepper Market: Mickey Waffles, Bacon, Apple Sauce (brought from home), Milk

Lunch at Be Our Guest: Turkey Meatloaf, Broccoli, Rice, Grilled Fish, “Hand Salad”, Peach Applesauce (the worst meal of the week, they barely touched it)

Dinner at Kona: After the lunch disaster, I just wanted them to eat anything, so they had cheeseburgers, French fries, carrot and celery sticks and the delicious bread. They also quite a bit of my steak.

Snack at Pirates and Pals: Cotton Candy!

Day 7:

Breakfast at Pepper Market: Mickey Waffles, Bacon, Apple Sauce (brought from home), Milk

Lunch at Columbia Harbor House: Chicken Nuggets and Broccoli

As you can see, we are far from perfect eaters. But, it was nice to discover that kids (and adults) can choose to eat a wide variety of healthy foods, if they want to!

I did make a huge mistake by letting my kids order chocolate milk, instead of plain milk for most meals. When we got home it was hard to get them drinking regular milk again. After giving them the choice between plain milk or water all day for several days, they are back on track. Chocolate Milk, Lemonade and Juice are now back to occasional treats instead of drinks with almost every meal.

 

[seashell724]

Thank you so much for sharing this!

 

[acceber32]

Thanks for sharing!! The last trip we took we let ODS eat way too many chicken nuggets and french fries. This trip I'm vowing to mix in some healthier options as well. I am going to bring apple sauce with us as well and make sure that he eats one a day. I'm also going to make sure there is at least one veggie a day and not so many fried foods. Like you said, it helps them feel better and enjoy the rest of the trip much more.

 

[wiigirl]

Thanks for sharing!

 

[EagleScout]

Indeed- at mk, the columbia harbour house has surprisingly healthy and varied options for a qucik service-lunch and dinner - I believe we had grilled salmon with either couscous or rice. Also, near the harbour house in liberty square is a huge "market tent" with nothing but fresh fruits and veggies (and. MAybe hummus). Also epcot has many options in world show=ase

 

[lahobbs4]

Thanks for sharing! I, too, have been scouring every menu online to find places that have healthier options for my toddlers (and myself!). It's vacation and I love to let them have special treats, but it's nice to keep them on what they are used to

 

[EagleScout]

And at ak, there is a quick service sort of on way to safari with some healthy options, and a little cart just across pavement from entrance to safari that is nothing but fruits and vegetables. So together with mk-harbor house and veggie/fruit tent, and epcot-world showcase pavilions, can be reasonably healthy. At epcot, in particular, japan quick service has been good for us - chicken teriyaki is just grilled chicken, and our guy likes veggie sushi also. And as others noted, breakfast in room is often healthiest option (or buying ala carte from the market at your resort - like a yogurt and cereal, etc)

 

[HBGdancermom]

Oh great thread!!! Same here.... Farrrrrrrr from perfect but try to mainly keep it healthy at home. Hard when we travel and I find none of us are happy with too many pizzas, nuggets, burgers. Etc.

I hear sunshine seasons has some great choices.

Thanks again!

 

[HBGdancermom]

Also where is Pollo Campero?

 

[DSNY4ever]

Thanks for laying this out it is nice to see how others are attempting this too. I am lucky that my DS has never had a hamburger or a chicken nugget...so luckily he won't be begging for those things, and he also can't read. He hates french fries too (unfortunately he hates everything potato- even junk potatoes!). BUT...he does understand what ice cream and cookies and treats are so that will be tough. He will want all the sweets he sees! It is his birthday so we plan to splurge a little

 

[ElenaRN]

It seems like in the past few years the kids meals have gotten healthier and more well balanced.

Main courses are no longer just a choice between hot dogs or nuggets. I think we even got DD some whole grain pasta in one of the parks.
You can choose from a few different sides at most places, some healthier than others.

I don't remember exactly what DD had when we went in June. but I do remember being pleasantly surprised that the options were better than I thought.

 

[OhanaBreadPudding]

Thanks for this!! Did you notice any Greek yogurt anywhere?

 

[grainsmommy]

I just saw a post from the Disney blog (Sept 5th date) about this very thing! It won't let me post the link because I don't have enough posts yet, sorry.

Exciting! Thanks for asking this and for all the answers. I needed to know too

 

[FUNMAMADIS]

I didn't see any Greek yogurt and it is one of my favorite foods.

 

[FUNMAMADIS]

Pollo Campero is in Downtown Disney. There is a baby cakes bakery in it too. I was thrilled to learn it is a chain and we have a location near our home. They serve yuca there, if your kids like French fries, they'd probably like it. Their plantains are delicious, kids that like bananas would probably love them too.

We are huge fans of the apple sauce pouches. I wish I brought a few other varieties, especially the ones that contain vegetables, the more vegetables the better in my opinion! They were so easy to throw in our park bag and relatively mess free. (Although my kids can make a mess out of anything!)

 

[Haley]

Thanks for sharing OP

My dd is 2.5 so it's still relatively easy - I know on our trip I'll mainly be letting her eat off our plates vs. a processed "kids meal". If I get her a kids meal she'd eat maybe 1 nugget so it's a waste of money.

And I'm definitly bringing those organic fruit/veggie pouches for an easy snack.

On our last trip I did give her frozen lemonade drinks (watered down some) because I knew she'd drink them and stay hydrated. She only drinks water and milk at home but I'm lax about that on vacation because I want her to stay hydrated especially if it's hot out.

 

[FUNMAMADIS]

If your daughter gets really hungry, Check out the mickey check meals, none were processed food and they were not-too-big portions.

 

[starsweeper]

We like eating table service meals because you have more options for ordering fruits and veggies and healthier entrees. We're far from perfect but don't want our kids or ourselves eating junk all week either. Our problem now is my ODS's diet. He is on Feingold, which has completely changed his behavior/emotions for the better. On the diet, he can't have many of the fruit options (apples, grapes, oranges, berries), anything with tomatoes or items with food dyes. We realize we'll have to let him off diet some while on vacation, but we don't want him to go completely off the diet and feel out of control/manic the entire time either.

 

[HBGdancermom]

Pollo Campero is in Downtown Disney. There is a baby cakes bakery in it too. I was thrilled to learn it is a chain and we have a location near our home. They serve yuca there, if your kids like French fries, they'd probably like it. Their plantains are delicious, kids that like bananas would probably love them too.

We are huge fans of the apple sauce pouches. I wish I brought a few other varieties, especially the ones that contain vegetables, the more vegetables the better in my opinion! They were so easy to throw in our park bag and relatively mess free. (Although my kids can make a mess out of anything!)

Thanks! I couldn't not figure out where it was???

If your daughter gets really hungry, Check out the mickey check meals, none were processed food and they were not-too-big portions.

Great tip!!

 

[FUNMAMADIS]

I would call disney and talk to someone who handles allergy concerns. I would trust them to help you manage a feingold diet more than any other vacation location. (PS- I'm impressed you're doing it, I tried it for myself and it was too hard for me to keep up. I'm so glad it works for your son!)