Heart-healthy dining?

[Alex2kMommy]

For those on a restricted heart-healthy diet, what did you eat during your stay in DL? DH is limited to 15g fat per day, and this is much easier to manage when we can eat our own food.

1. How difficult is it to find heart-healthy options from the regular menus or fast food counters? The menus I've seen so far seem pretty limited, and pretty fatty.

2. I'm aware that, given at least 24 hours notice, the sit-down restaurants onsite can provide some sort of options. Has anyone done this? What sort of options are we talking about? Also, does this mean we'll have to plan every meal (dinners) in advance?

3. Are the reservations or priority seating a requirement of all eating establishments onsite? Or just in the parks? Downtown Disney? Hotels?

3. I've heard about the huge turkey legs - They sound delicious! Does anyone know how they are prepared?

4. Would room service similarly need 24 hours notice? We're staying at DLH.

5. We're thinking we'll try to have ordered groceries delivered (I've heard this can be done?) for small breakfasts and snack items, and this will help.

6. Any other food tips from those who have been there? This is our first trip, and we're travelling with two little ones (age 5 and nearly 2.)

Thank you in advance for any information!

 

[yipee]

We found pretty good salads (regular and/or fruit)at the take out counter in Toon Town! Hope this helps!

Denise

 

[labguides]

Fresh fruit is sold at stands throughout Disneyland. We were happy that we took PBJ's. We did have a bratwurst and also ate at hamburger place in CA Adventure -- the PBJ's were much better!!!

For quick breakfast, we always take instant oatmeal -- heat water in the coffee pot -- and we are off for the day.

 

[LindaR]

I've looked at the menus, too. I had my gallbladder removed in November and really really cannot digest fatty foods. I eat lots of grilled chicken and baked fish.

 

[Alex2kMommy]

Thank you for providing more tips. We will also plan to bring instant oatmeal and some snack items, and pick up some fresh fruit while we're there. Where do you get the grilled chicken and baked fish items? I haven't seen those on any of the menus (not that I've viewed ALL the menus, though...) We typically eat a lot of baked/grilled chicken, a little fish, and a little red meat. As meat eaters, I'm hoping DH won't have a diet of only salads (or the same menu item) during our stay.

Has anyone contacted the restaurant ahead of time for help with this? Just wondering what kind of service they can offer. Do they fix one of their regular menu items, just in a low-fat manner? Will they substitute healthier side items?

I read another post that the famous turkey legs (in Frontierland?) are smoked - They sound yummy, and sound like a good low-fat option.

 

[Pir8girl]

Since you're staying at the DLH why not contact VP and ask them to help you. They are wonderful and will know which direction to send you.

 

[GreenGirl8]

1. How difficult is it to find heart-healthy options from the regular menus or fast food counters? The menus I've seen so far seem pretty limited, and pretty fatty.


You can get grilled chicken/Salads and a few other things at counter restaurants. Here are a few of the food counters that serve these and what they serve (currently). I do recommend bringing your own dressing (little fat-free packets from Mcdonalds, Wendys...etc)...I am not sure which places offer low fat or fat free dressings. Also, you can ask for certain things to be left off Salads (Bacon bits..etc)

I happen to have pictures of just about every restaurant's menu...

Hungry Bear Restaurant
BBQ Chicken Salad
Garden Salad

Tiki Juice Bar
Pineapple Spear
Pineapple Juice

Village Haus
Turkey Sandwich w/ chips
Chef Salad
Fresh Fruit Salad
Garden Salad

Plaza Inn
House Salad
Cobb Salad
-They also offer Pasta, but the pasta itself is covered with oil. I would see if there is any way to get pasta before oil is placed on it and ask if they have nutrition information about it.

French Market
Plantation Spinach and Arugula Salad

Royal Street Veranda
Vegetable Gumbo (Not sure how much fat would be in the sauce)

Club Buzz
Grilled Chicken Sandwich
Club Buzz Wrap (with grilled chicken)
Chicken Caesar Salad

Redd Rocket's Pizza Port (best selection of salads and pasta..check with Disney dining about nutrition info on the pasta...)
Celestial Caesar Chicken Salad
Caesar Salad
Planetary Pizza Salad
Starfield of Greens

Please note that with Redd Rocket's pizza port, they will make half salads and made-to-order salads if you don't want certain items or no dressing on the salad. I do this every time. The salads are huge, and I can only eat a half one. I also ask for certain items to be excluded..like certain cheeses..etc.

If you are interested..I do have info on DCA restaurants as well.

2. I'm aware that, given at least 24 hours notice, the sit-down restaurants onsite can provide some sort of options. Has anyone done this? What sort of options are we talking about? Also, does this mean we'll have to plan every meal (dinners) in advance?

I have never done that, but I have told the restaurants when I sat down that I would like to know the healthiest items on the menu. They are usually very good about that. They will also specially prepare things without butter...or without certain sauces. Call Disney Dining directly. They are usually wonderful. If you happen to get someone that is not very friendly, simply call back!

3. Are the reservations or priority seating a requirement of all eating establishments onsite? Or just in the parks? Downtown Disney? Hotels?

They are not required at any restaurants, but I suggest you make priority seating for each day you are saying onsite. You can easily cancel them if you decide not to use them, but it is really great not having to wait for a while when you are hungry!

3. I've heard about the huge turkey legs - They sound delicious! Does anyone know how they are prepared?

They are huge, but don't look appealing to me at all. I am not sure how they are prepared, but the turkey is pink, so I am guessing it is some sort of slow roating process.

4. Would room service similarly need 24 hours notice? We're staying at DLH.

I would actually let the resort know of your needs before check-in. That way, they know they have someone on property that will probably be ordering room service with special dietary needs. It would not hurt to call ASAP and they can tell you exactly what you should do!

5. We're thinking we'll try to have ordered groceries delivered (I've heard this can be done?) for small breakfasts and snack items, and this will help.

This is a great idea. When I bring my family to the resort, we always eat breakfast in the hotel room. We do small things like oatmeal, cereal, nutrition bars...etc. We also back some healthy snacks for the park.

 

[Alex2kMommy]

GreenGirl8,
Thank you for the long post! It's very helpful. All the posts have been very helpful, thank you all for taking the time!

Yes, I would be interested in DCA menu items as well.

 

[hlbtimes2]

You can view the DCA menus at www.dlresortinfo.com (look on the left side)

I took a quick look, and I see a few choices. Some are probably good choices on their own, some could be with some special requests.

Pacific Warf: Veg. Chili, Chicken and apple salad, turkey sandwich (with out mayo of course). The mexican places have items with chicken and could be ordered with out cheese and sour cream. Taste pilots grill has a grilled chicken sandwich.

 

[Churro]

Bengal BBQ has skewers with beef or chicken, and even veggie ones. We always snack there.

 

[almostGoofy]

Don't forget there is a very nice picnic area just outside DL gates a few steps from guest services. It's kind of hidden behind some very tall trees/bushes but it is marked and has lockers, restroom facilities and soft drink vending machines there. Pack a healthly lunch and store it in the locker. It makes a very nice respite from the noise of the park. It's quite peaceful. Don't want to make your own lunch? There's a Subway sandwhich shop on Harbor near Kettella. By bringing your own lunch, not only will you eat healthy but you'll save money to boot!

If you'd rather have a locker inside the park, you can bring your lunch inside and place it in a locker there. As long as you're not bringing in glass bottles or a huge ice chest, they'll let you bring your lunch in. I've done that and taken our lunch outside to the picnic area. The lockers next to the picnic area are larger though so if you need a larger locker for a small to medium ice chest, you'll probably will want to use the ones next to the picnic area.

 

[Alex2kMommy]

We are staying at DLH and weren't planning to get a rental car. (I'm not sure how far apart the other hotels/restaurants/shops are from DLH.) We sort of presumed we would be stuck with what is at the park, in DD or at the Disney Hotels.

DH loves a good sub, so if the Subway isn't too far, we may be taking a walk... Thanks!

 

[funnygarcia]

Here's a nice map showing the ART routes with dining options on each route.
http://www.atnetwork.org/downloads/art_dining_routes_combo.pdf

More ART info
http://www.rideart.org/

We enjoyed stopping at the fruit stand on Harbor at the end of Convention Way. Fresh and dried fruits, nuts and vegies at a very good price. Longish walk from DL but tolerable. Our tummies were happy after we ate a bunch of fruit and nibbled on sunflower seeds-- we were not use to too much fried food and not very familiar with choices available on our first trip to DL. Learned our way around the parks and in the area- lots of choices out there if you hunt it down!

Another good off site place with heart healthy food is Mimi's - YUM!
Within walking distance to DL, decent prices, great amt of selections and very yummy!
http://www.mimiscafe.com/

I believe most burger locations in the park can sub with a vegie burger. And Rancho del Zocalo will make substitutes /less portions if asked.

 

[Alex2kMommy]

I have tried to get DH to try a veggie burger/Bocaburger; he reacted like I was trying to poison him! Fortunately he likes salads (though we have to find ones that don't have cheese and we can use low-fat or no-fat dressings.)

I never really thought he was a picky eater, but this trip will definitely be a challenge for us. He told me last night (in a very saintly tone of voice), "That's OK, honey, I'll probably just lose a lot of weight while we're there (from not having anything to eat.) It will be fine."

Seriously though, he's completely changed his eating habits due to his heart condition, so I'm incredibly grateful for that. You've all given great advice for eating while we're there, thank you so much!

 

[GreenGirl8]

I second Mimi's cafe! It is in walking distance...the menu is HUGE and I have found them very accomodating to needs of the diner. They offer egg substitute/whites and fruit/veggies instead of potatoes for their breakfasts. I like to get the two egg breakfast this way and it fills me up!

2-eggs..any style (I do egg beaters)
Fruits instead of the country potatoes
Orange Juice and the low fat Blueberry muffin. (They also offer bran). All this for under $5.00!

 

[DevilDuckie]

I have tried to get DH to try a veggie burger/Bocaburger; he reacted like I was trying to poison him!

I find the trick to veggir burgers is to pick the ones that are not trying to be a burger. Gardenburger does a portabella mushroom patty that is amazing, mostly because it is being it's own thing rather than trying to mimic a burger.