High Protein (for Children)

[bicker]

What are your best suggestions for CS and TS where our DN10 will have no choice but to order something that has a lot of protein in it.

So this isn't a matter of which restaurants they have some good high protein choices, but rather where either all the restaurant has are high protein choices, or kids that age will not like any of the choices which aren't high protein. Okay?

We need options for the following:

- CS dinner at D-HS

- CS lunch at D-HS
- CS dinner at Epcot

- CS lunch at AK
- TS dinner at Epcot

- TS lunch at MK or CS lunch at MK
- CS dinner at MK or TS dinner at MK

 

[Quacktatty]

I'd have to guess, none.

 

[septbaby]

Give us a bit more info. Is there a dietary reason for this? I actually think working backwards could work? What does she like to eat that is high protein? For example there aren't too many options at Casey's if she'll eat hot dogs. The Turkey leg cart is another. I almost think you may want to think in terms of snacks if you're trying to push a particular item.

Maybe carry some protein powder packs and get them mixed into milkshakes for her or better yet let her have one of those before leaving in the AM then she can eat whatever when you're out and about.

 

[bicker]

Yes -- medical reason. The boy is very small for his age, and the doctor has his parents monitoring protein intake because he feels that he doesn't get enough.

Unfortunately, they live <there> and we live <here> so I'm kind-of working without a net here: I don't know much about what his specific likes and dislikes are, except that I know he doesn't like heavily ethnic food (though Italian, evidently, doesn't count as ethnic food in New York ), nor does he like fish of any sort.

I definitely want to avoid making a point about this (with him, at the time); I know he doesn't like that. I'm trying to make dining selections that will prompt the best result, without calling too much attention to the issue, because, after all, he's on vacation eh?

 

[DCDisney]

There aren't a tremendous number of appealing high protein meals for kids. There are things that are tasty and high protein like rotiss chicken at Cosmic Rays but they would probably be overshadowed by the burgers and chicken strips. Even things like the turkey legs are often sold with sugary icees or those stuffed pretzels.

CS at HS will be the hardest as you need 2 meals there and really the only things I do there for low carb are bunless burgers and the no sugar dessert at Backlot Express. Toluca legs turkey stand would probably be the other best option but seating around there is iffy.

For the Epcot CS you could do something Asian with no rice or noodles but the sauces may be very high in sugar if she doesn't pick well. The Morroccan CS has great low carb options but not especially kid friendly. All the TS dinners I would think would be fine as they all have some type of steak, fish, chicken that would be low carb. I think avoiding Mexican and Italian would be wise though. There will always be some type of pasta though on just about any menu. Personally I like Coral Reef (ask for no bread basket) as they have lots of appetizers and entree's that are low carb plus they will sub out a side if you need like a veggie instead of the potato side.

Perhaps someone could go ahead and just order for her and have her food just appear at the table rather than let her look over the menu at CS? For TS there are lots of options like O'Hana's, Garden Grill, Liberty Tree Tavern that have plenty of proteins but then you still get tons of carby sides and desserts.

I hope this helps a bit but WDW isn't really set up for low carb and kids. You can make it happen but without a person like me who likes plain grilled foods and salads and veggies it may not be fun. They definitely have sugar free options here and there especially brownies, jello, and ice cream for treats. But it's not the same as cotton candy and funnel cakes

 

[septbaby]

Yes -- medical reason. The boy is very small for his age, and the doctor has his parents monitoring protein intake because he feels that he doesn't get enough.

Unfortunately, they live <there> and we live <here> so I'm kind-of working without a net here: I don't know much about what his specific likes and dislikes are, except that I know he doesn't like heavily ethnic food (though Italian, evidently, doesn't count as ethnic food in New York ), nor does he like fish of any sort.

Well, I'm taking the DN to WDW too and its a I live here he lives there arrangement as well. Now the protein shake thing could really work. But you'll have to play too. Play it up as something cool to do and the you do it too. So kind of make a game of it in the AM in the room. You can do the same if you order steak: make a big deal out of why steak and how good it is for you and how men really like to eat thinks like this blah, blah, blah. The key is you do it too. Be sure to order and share the Rib or chicken platter at Cosmic Ray's. The sharing/eating contest part could be fun. You've got to be the cool or fun uncle/aunt; use your status to your advantage.

You've asked for CS recs, but Trails End is known to have a smaller buffet, fried chicken is a key there, would you consider working that in?

The kids meals won't really work. By design they are 5 food groups, so no overweighting in protein there. Also if the goal is to get him to eat more those portion sizes don't help.

If you find he likes the dogs or turkey legs: repeat!

 

[Ctsplaysinrain]

Would it be extremely harmful if you just let the child eat what they wanted and didnt worry about the protein too much since you are on vacation???? You could try and steer the child to some better choices but don;t make it too stressful.. I have a 11 yr old son that I have been struggling with over an eating issue for over a year. We try and get as much protein and/or calories in him as possible but every day meal time is stressful enough- and the more I push, the more he doesnt eat.... One thing that we have started relying on are Carnation Instant breakfast- he loves his chocolate milk so we have had good sucess with him drinking 2-3 of these a day- sometimes as many as 4 packs per serving...LOL This helps with the protein and needed calories. Maybe, you can just let him have 1-2 of these with breakfast, lunch and dinner as a beverage and relax a little about the rest of the stuff he eats or does't eat (order milk with meal and just stir in)... Milkshakes are a good way to add protein and calories as well.

 

[Ctsplaysinrain]

Oh did I read this wrong- Is he not allowed carbs???? Maybe you cant talk to the special diet people and they can make him some meals- maybe using a diabetic diet.

 

[bicker]

Just to clarify: Low-carb isn't the issue. He can have as many carbs as he wants, as long as he eats a good bit of protein. He's a dancer/gymnast (and very good -- competition good -- for his age) and doesn't have an ounce of fat on his body, so this isn't a weight issue (for him) or a diabetic issue.

I do need to keep him away from pasta, noodles, macaroni (i.e., and cheese), and pizza, for example, so the places I choose hopefully simply won't have those things as options. Again, it isn't a matter of finding places with good choices; I've got that well in-hand. What I'm trying to find are the places without bad choices.

I think the turkey legs would be a winner, if I could just convince my wife and DN15. (Heck, if I can get DN10 interested in them, I'll eat 'em with him, and my wife and DN15 can go off and have lunch somewhere else.)

Like I said, I really don't want to make a point of this at the time, even to make a game of it. The kids are way too old for that sort of thing, anyway. I'd rather just simply choose where we're going to eat in such a way that we have the greatest chance of satisfying the need.

 

[bicker]

Would it be extremely harmful if you just let the child eat what they wanted and didnt worry about the protein too much since you are on vacation????

I've been asked to "try" but not "ensure", so no, direct harm is not the issue. As I mentioned, I don't want to even have to think about this during the week; I only want to factor this into my advance planning, enhancing the probability that he'll make good choices all week.

 

[disnut8]

I don't know if this will help at all but when I was in the hospital the first time, I lost a ton of weight because I couldn't eat that much (who would blame me - broken neck and hospital food!). I was given protein drinks which are very tasty. The brand name ones are Ensure but Kroger has their own brand for a lower price. They come in chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry. "Normal" humans can drink these too. Maybe everyone in the party having a "shake" (they aren't shakes) before you leave in the morning?

I liked them so much I still drink them now even after becoming fully healthy again. It's not a full meal but it is protein.

Also, take protein bars for snacks. The Power Bars are good and about $1.25 at Kroger (over near the pharmacy).

Then maybe you won't have to think too much about the dinner choices.

 

[K and K's Mommy]

I understand what you are saying because given the option my kids would order mac and cheese or pasta over anything else even if there were 10 other things on the list. Unfortunately, Disney seems to always have macaroni and cheese or Mickey shaped pasta! Before they could read, I would sometimes say cheeseburger or chicken fingers.

I would go to allearsnet.com and check the menus. Does Pecos Bill only have burgers? Casey's only has hot dogs. The Flame Tree in AK doesn't have pasta. I'm sure some of the CS in Epcot's world showcase might be a good option.

In terms of TS it seems they all have pasta.

Good luck!

 

[bicker]

I understand what you are saying because given the option my kids would order mac and cheese or pasta over anything else even if there were 10 other things on the list.

Yes, that's exactly the issue I'm dealing with.

Unfortunately, Disney seems to always have macaroni and cheese or Mickey shaped pasta!

Hmph... I hope I can find some exceptions, at least.

I would go to allearsnet.com and check the menus.

I guess I'll need to do that. It is so much easier finding a restaurant that has something, than it is to find one that doesn't have a few things. I was kinda hoping someone else has already thought this through.

Does Pecos Bill only have burgers?

Pecos Bill looks like a winner for MK CS. Chicken, Burgers, Pork Sandwich, Taco Salad. My only challenge there would be that he could just eat the fries and leave the burger behind. I think that's going to be better than Cosmic Ray's (which is what I originally planned on) given that there he'd probably aim for the chicken nuggets and they're mostly breading eh?

Casey's only has hot dogs.

The problem there is that 1/4 pound hot dog isn't the only choice there. Casey's also has corn dog nuggets, which I bet would be DN10's choice, and a bad one.

The Flame Tree in AK doesn't have pasta.

I had that on my list already, and it looks good, as you suggest.

I'm sure some of the CS in Epcot's world showcase might be a good option.

Sunshine Seasons is iffy IMHO; I think he'd insist on getting the mac and cheese there. Electric Umbrella is bad (nuggets again). Maybe the American Adventure would be the best spot there.

In terms of TS it seems they all have pasta.

Hmm.... we're going to aim for Rose and Crown. No problem there, as long as I can keep him on the adult menu.

I still need to deal with D-HS.

Good luck!

Thanks!

 

[bumbershoot]

Since this is his family's issue (and I'm thinkin' that doctor isn't a nutritionist, since our actual need for protein is pretty dang low) I would give them the websites for menus and let them choose some places where he might like the choices.

Yes -- medical reason. The boy is very small for his age

He's a dancer/gymnast (and very good -- competition good -- for his age) and doesn't have an ounce of fat on his body...

I'm guessing the doctor hasn't put those two things together?

 

[bicker]

I would give them the websites for menus and let them choose some places where he might like the choices.

That was my first instinct, with respect to attractions and dining. Trying to get a "busy" ten year old to think about something more than three months away is like pulling teeth. I got a few comments about two of the theme parks (he didn't get to the other two) and nothing about dining.

I'm guessing the doctor hasn't put those two things together?

No idea. It isn't clear which came first, actually, but I wouldn't suspect that the doctor doesn't know... the doctor probably does know and is advising what he thinks best.

 

[HunnyPots]

That was my first instinct, with respect to attractions and dining. Trying to get a "busy" ten year old to think about something more than three months away is like pulling teeth. I got a few comments about two of the theme parks (he didn't get to the other two) and nothing about dining.

No idea. It isn't clear which came first, actually, but I wouldn't suspect that the doctor doesn't know... the doctor probably does know and is advising what he thinks best.

You're probably correct. The doc is most likely concerned about his protein intake because of his sport and body type. here is a quote from Medscape.com:

Most athletes are meeting or exceeding their protein requirements through diet. There are, however, some athletes at risk for inadequate protein. These individuals are typically restricting caloric intake in order to achieve a low body weight and generally include wrestlers, gymnasts, dancers, and runners. Inadequate protein intake increases an athlete's risk for injury and chronic fatigue.

 

[DCDisney]

After reading your clarification of the issues I think it will be pretty easy to game the situation. Just tell him he is adult age in TS places (true) and hit places that don't have kid appealing pasta dishes. In a weight gain/protein situation he should be good to go with WDW cheesecake and creme brulee on so many menus If you have the dining plan you can often get shakes or smoothies as a drink which certainly add a caloric punch. At CS if you go up to order while the kids get seats you can always sub out fries for grapes or carrots so that he would be more likely to eat the main meal and not fill up on the sides. Again it's easy to say that the kiddie meals are only for younger kids. I have a 10 year old and he normally doesn't read the menu's at CS anyway because of the rush to try and get everything ordered and get seats. Unless you go somewhere obvious like Pizza Planet you could always just say do you want a burger or dog or rotiss chicken or ribs, etc. O'Hana's might be a great dinner solution for the MK night since they only have a veggie/noodle mixture (not kid apealing with everything mixed up) and the rest is all meats and the dessert is bread pudding which is another protein containing and very calorie dense food.

 

[BCV23]

Does he like milk? If so, it's such an easy way to get some protein in him. 8 grams and change in 8oz.. A bit more protein in fatfree but I imagine they might be pushing whole for him.

Also, hot dogs don't have that much protein. A regular Oscar Meyer frank has only 5g. Those things at Casey's are huge though.

Good luck in your planning. You're a good uncle, bicker.

Oh, and even though his parents say he doesn't like fish, maybe he'll surprise you and try it at WDW. One of mine was rather picky but was so much more adventuresome at WDW. And fish is such a good source of protein.

 

[kaytieeldr]

How about practicing playing the magnanimous uncle and sweepingly state, "No menus, thank you - I'll order for everyone!" With, of course, the understanding that you won't be paying for everyone (unless you so choose )

 

[DaisyD]

Doesn't his parents have any say over what he eats? Can't they just say NO you aren't getting that but you can get this this or this?