Healthy food options - any recommendations?

[sam_rogers]

I was just wondering if anyone has any recommendations for healthier meals, particularly quick service? I know satuuli canteen is now a good option at AK.
I'm not on a controlled diet or anything but as we're there for 2 weeks I'd like to try and have a few meals that aren't deep fried, covered in cheese or come with fries

 

[happymommy]

First of all, I often share a meal with my youngest! I can't eat a huge portion at one time, much less in the heat. So smaller meals just work better.

Lots of places have salads; I ask for little dressing or on the side.

We stay away from the typical burgers & fries (in all my trips I think I've had a total of three hamburgers at Disney). Some of the countries in WS at Epcot have more interesting items; I like the vegetarian platter at Tangierine Cafe in Morocco. In DHS you can get a salad at the ABC Commissary (I think; it used to have one), and I used to always get a veggie burger at the CS in Dinoland.

Browse the menus (it's quick to do so on allears.net).

In MK at Cosmic Ray's, there is a rotisserie chicken that comes with mashed potatoes and green beans. I split that sometimes.

Fresh fruit! There are places all over that have it, at stands and also places like Sunshine Seasons (which has lots of options, soups, salads, grilled salmon, and you can substitute another veggie for the starch if you want to eat lighter).

Enjoy your two weeks! My next trip is super short, only 5 nights!

 

[Christine]

I second the Tangierine Café at Epcot. Pretty healthy meals there. I noticed salads just about everywhere. They can be good as long as you don't go wrong on the dressing or some toppings. As sam_rogers said, we also stay away from the typical burgers and fries type places.

 

[TeresaWen]

Breakfast can be a carb & sugar fest. Stick with eggs! Swap out potatoes for fruit. Bacon over sausage. Two slices are around 70 calories. Sausage is much more.

Don't believe the "you will walk it off". walking in Disney is usually slow with frequent stops. Good but not enough to compensate for eating way off your norm.

Try having ice cream for dessert or fruit if craving sweets. I usually pass on desert at meals and get a scoop later in the day.

 

[soccermom54]

The Polite Pig at Disney Springs has several excellent salads and healthy sides. Their chicken is very good! Earl of Sandwich has wonderful salads and 50's Prime Time at Disney Studios has several good options. Kona Cafe at the Polynesian has a great omelet and they always let me sub the potatoes and biscuit for a side of fruit for breakfast.

 

[Mome Rath]

I try to hit up the healthier spots, here's what I've found;

MK: Harbor house (QS), or Liberty Tree (TS)
EPCOT: Sunshine Seasons (QS), Tangierine Cafe (QS), if you like sushi and/or tempura, the various restaurants at Japan are nice
AK: Satu'li all the way (my favorite QS in all of WDW)
DHS: Good luck (lol), but I would look at the various menus online and the offerings at Anaheim Produce and that area, for example Rosie's All-American Cafe has a fried green tomato sandwich.

For breakfast, often I get a side order of eggs, and that's it. Or, eggs and fruit.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

I would suggest looking at the menus at Columbia Harbour House (MK) and Les Halles in EP (if you like salad nicoise).

 

[loves to dive]

When eating QS 99% of the time I eat a kid's meal. They are smaller and you get fruit instead of fries. I get a bottle of water for my drink since I don't drink soft drinks. They almost always have at least a turkey sandwich on the menu. I eat a lot of small meals, I'm not a big meal eater. When eating TS, more often than not I'll get an appetizer and soup or salad and if we want dessert, my son and I will share. There are fruit stands in every single park for snacking. I can't remember the last time I ate fried food at WDW. If I do get an entre at TS it's usually chicken or fish. I also eat the kid's meals for breakfast, eggs and fruit and if I get a meat it's bacon and I just eat one slice. Again, I get the bottle of water. And I agree with the don't think the walking is going to allow you to eat big, it's a lot of standing and stopping and rarely are you actually walking long or fast enough to get your heart rate up. I actually get up very early and go for a fast walk of about 30 min. around the resort every morning. I find it peaceful when not many people are out and about and it just starts my day off right.

 

[DaisyDuck001]

My first thought was also Satuli Canteen, which is superb.

Also, not QS, but Sci Fi Dine In now has lettuce wraps (which I haven't tried) and vegetarian falafel "burgers". My falafel burger was saltier than I would have liked (and I am not one of those who finds most WDW food too salty, so this is saying a lot), but I'd order it again if they could make one with less salt, since it was good other than that.

I've enjoyed salads at some of the seasonal festival food kiosks.

 

[Nowenteringwdcop]

I also agree with the kid's meal lunches. Then you can get a healthy snack like a banana or other fresh fruit at one of the outdoor markets i.e. liberty square market. i think starbucks also has some healthy sandwich options

 

[sam_rogers]

Thanks for all the great suggestions. I know there's not a chance that 'walking it off' will be an option with the wdw calorie intake. I have had a bit of a browse at menus but haven't had chance to look through every one for each park so these suggestions have given me a better idea and saved me a lot of time! Thanks everyone!

 

[sam_rogers]

When eating QS 99% of the time I eat a kid's meal. They are smaller and you get fruit instead of fries. I get a bottle of water for my drink since I don't drink soft drinks. They almost always have at least a turkey sandwich on the menu. I eat a lot of small meals, I'm not a big meal eater. When eating TS, more often than not I'll get an appetizer and soup or salad and if we want dessert, my son and I will share. There are fruit stands in every single park for snacking. I can't remember the last time I ate fried food at WDW. If I do get an entre at TS it's usually chicken or fish. I also eat the kid's meals for breakfast, eggs and fruit and if I get a meat it's bacon and I just eat one slice. Again, I get the bottle of water. And I agree with the don't think the walking is going to allow you to eat big, it's a lot of standing and stopping and rarely are you actually walking long or fast enough to get your heart rate up. I actually get up very early and go for a fast walk of about 30 min. around the resort every morning. I find it peaceful when not many people are out and about and it just starts my day off right.

I'm staying the all star sports so unfortunately don't have a gym to help work some of the calories off! I always struggle to get off of uk time so I'm usually awake at 4am for at least the first week so I might get out early and go for a walk. I know the all stars have a short running trail but due to a few dodgy joints in my legs from sports I usually avoid running... Although I am considering trying a bit of running again.

 

[Farro]

If you are eating at table service restaurants, there's always a healthier option. Chicken (not fried), fish - those are usually better for you. If you are eating Italian, stick with red sauce, not cream. Japan, Morimoto - they have some healthy options.

Some lunches can be composed of some fruit and cheese if you want! I found on some days I wasn't hungry for a full lunch, so I ate some fruit, cheese and nuts throughout the day until dinner. Most parks have a place to buy all of that.
MK has baked potato spot.

If you find you are somewhere that all you can get is a burger and you are concerned, eat half and toss. I know it seems like a waste of money, but saves calories if you are truly concerned.

See if you can substitute fruit slices for fries at the quick service.

Skip desserts sometimes (not all the time).

Keep hydrated, sometimes we mistake dehydration for hunger.

And then remember, if you want the fries, eat the fries!

 

[Magical2017]

You can also have snacks shipped to your hotel to take in worth you. A 100 calorie pack of almonds provides filling protein, and you can often find soups that are not cream based at QS locations and make a meal of that. Other snacks are raisins, Pop Chips, and apples and oranges hold well if you eat them in the am or have a cooler.

 

[sam_rogers]

If you are eating at table service restaurants, there's always a healthier option. Chicken (not fried), fish - those are usually better for you. If you are eating Italian, stick with red sauce, not cream. Japan, Morimoto - they have some healthy options.

Some lunches can be composed of some fruit and cheese if you want! I found on some days I wasn't hungry for a full lunch, so I ate some fruit, cheese and nuts throughout the day until dinner. Most parks have a place to buy all of that.
MK has baked potato spot.

If you find you are somewhere that all you can get is a burger and you are concerned, eat half and toss. I know it seems like a waste of money, but saves calories if you are truly concerned.

See if you can substitute fruit slices for fries at the quick service.

Skip desserts sometimes (not all the time).

Keep hydrated, sometimes we mistake dehydration for hunger.

And then remember, if you want the fries, eat the fries!

I always eat the fries if I want the fries (or ice cream, cake, waffles ) if I want them haha! I just believe in everything in moderation which can be so hard to do at wdw!!

 

[Aimeedyan]

We are frequent day guests, and I'm actively counting calories, so I am always on the hunt for healthy options, too. It is hard since they don't provide nutritional information.

- Satuli is a good option; I like the kale base and the chicken is good. I get the sauce on the side and barely use any of it.
- Columbia Harbor House has salmon with rice and green beans that isn't bad. I've doubled the green beans before and they were accommodating.
- Skipper's Canteen (though not a quick service) has a veggie/tofu curry that I thought was pretty darn good. It's dairy free and rice is on the side.
- Tangierine Cafe has some great options - I like their vegetable platter and their chicken shawarma.
- At AK, they grill fresh corn on the cob back in Africa near the safari and you can ask for no butter. Corn on the cob isn't the healthiest vegetable out there but for a theme park, it's not bad and they will sprinkle it with curry powder so it's really tasty and helps with my salty craving.
- Sushi rolls at the QS in Japan are not bad as long as you don't get the tasty, I mean, fried ones
- For breakfast, I like the egg white frittata at The Wave - it's loaded with spinach, mushrooms, poblano, and cheese but I have them leave out the cheese. We like to eat breakfast on site a lot and that's just about the only good option I've found.
- Kid's meals are a good option, esp the Disney check meals.
- I have had success subbing fries with a fruit side at QS. Sometimes it's the fruit that normally comes with a kids meal but I don't care.

Be careful with the salads - some of them are killers with the cheese, croutons, etc + many come pre-dressed. Ask for it deconstructed I will warn you not to order the salad at Flame Tree; it was the grossest thing I've ever been served at WDW and I was mad at myself for wasting the money on it.

 

[Farro]

I always eat the fries if I want the fries (or ice cream, cake, waffles ) if I want them haha! I just believe in everything in moderation which can be so hard to do at wdw!!

I really think then you will be okay.

If you are used to eating in moderation, you will find yourself naturally gravitating towards healthier options because quite frankly, you will be sick of the grease and fat!

I'm positive you will find a happy medium between indulging and healthy eating. Have fun!!!

 

[sam_rogers]

We are frequent day guests, and I'm actively counting calories, so I am always on the hunt for healthy options, too. It is hard since they don't provide nutritional information.

- Satuli is a good option; I like the kale base and the chicken is good. I get the sauce on the side and barely use any of it.
- Columbia Harbor House has salmon with rice and green beans that isn't bad. I've doubled the green beans before and they were accommodating.
- Skipper's Canteen (though not a quick service) has a veggie/tofu curry that I thought was pretty darn good. It's dairy free and rice is on the side.
- Tangierine Cafe has some great options - I like their vegetable platter and their chicken shawarma.
- At AK, they grill fresh corn on the cob back in Africa near the safari and you can ask for no butter. Corn on the cob isn't the healthiest vegetable out there but for a theme park, it's not bad and they will sprinkle it with curry powder so it's really tasty and helps with my salty craving.
- Sushi rolls at the QS in Japan are not bad as long as you don't get the tasty, I mean, fried ones
- For breakfast, I like the egg white frittata at The Wave - it's loaded with spinach, mushrooms, poblano, and cheese but I have them leave out the cheese. We like to eat breakfast on site a lot and that's just about the only good option I've found.
- Kid's meals are a good option, esp the Disney check meals.
- I have had success subbing fries with a fruit side at QS. Sometimes it's the fruit that normally comes with a kids meal but I don't care.

Be careful with the salads - some of them are killers with the cheese, croutons, etc + many come pre-dressed. Ask for it deconstructed I will warn you not to order the salad at Flame Tree; it was the grossest thing I've ever been served at WDW and I was mad at myself for wasting the money on it.

Thanks for the heads up about the flame tree!! I'll definitely avoid that one!

 

[bigbabyblues]

If you find you are somewhere that all you can get is a burger and you are concerned, eat half and toss. I know it seems like a waste of money, but saves calories if you are truly concerned.

I can't think of any place other than D-Luxe Burger that you can only get a burger. We always eat QS at WDW, and rarely have a burger (DH does once a trip or so, I never do).

 

[Farro]

I can't think of any place other than D-Luxe Burger that you can only get a burger. We always eat QS at WDW, and rarely have a burger (DH does once a trip or so, I never do).

I just used burger as an example of an unhealthy option.