I need vegetarian ideas... please...

[zakatak]

Hi!

Just switched back and feel great... here is what my limits are...
I used to be 100% vegan for 5 years, then had kids, slacked, gained weight, etc... now I have switched back but not all the way...

I gave up all dairy (except milk chocolate - just can't do it).

I am eliminating all sugary sweet crap (cookies, cakes, etc- except the occasional milk chocolate kiss!).

I am cutting down on processed white food (white bread, white pasta...)

I eat no red meat (haven't) but still will probably eat some chicken and fish.

OK... so now that you know me... lol... Any good choices for counter service food (restaraunts) and snacks? Sitdowns won't be a problem (salads & such), but snacky stuff through the parks might! I do have Dole Whips on my list of must haves!

Thanks for any insights...

Karen (who is feeling better already!)

P.S. If you are wondering why I gave up dairy, it is because dairy is linked to a higher incidence of breast cancer and my Mom died of Breast Cancer 10 years ago so I am doing what I can to see my grandchildren (she didn't ).

Karen & Kids (6, 4 & 2) & DH, of course!

 

[disney queen]

have you seen "Vegetarian Walt Disney World and Greater Orlando" by Susan Shumaker and Than Saffel? this might be helpful.

 

[julie t]

Hi Karen,

I have never had a problem finding vegetarian meals at the counter service restaurants but I do include dairy in my diet. Alot of the counter service places offer yummy salads with fruit and nuts added, like at regular restaurants. Some of my favorite non salad meals are at Columbia Harbour House in Mk-broccolislaw/hummus sandwich on chewy multigrain bread, Tangerine Cafe in Morocco has delicious veggie items and veggie burgers can also be found. There are so many options at WDW!

 

[WDW2002]

If you haven't already check out the menus on WDWIG. Some of the menus are out of date but a lot of them have been updated in July. Here is the link : WDWIG WDW MENUS

 

[jx3smom]

Tusker House at AK has a veggie sandwich that DH loves. They also serve roast chicken that is really good. Chefs De France also has a good veggie sandwich. We have not eaten any meat but chicken, turkey or fish in a few years and the options are plentiful
in WDW. We've never had a problem. Rain Forest Cafe also has a lot of options.

 

[jdwright13]

You scared me for a second, anytime somebody mentions vegan, it sends chills down my back. The Vegans in my area are the totally extreme, bombing poultry trucks, throwing paint anybody with leather or fur, scratching up cars with leather seats, etc... Glad to know that's not you.

Anyway, if your only partial, eating fish and chicken, you won't have a problem. All the sitdown restuarants have a vegitarian style menu, although the Itialian restaurants will probably be out for you though. They are very accomidating.

To be honest though, if you can bring yourself to do it, say to yourself, it doesn't count, your on vacation! They have so many wonderful desserts and dishes, (no meat but with milk), that you will be missing so much by skipping it. Remember, the cows need to be milked, and the calcium is very good for you. So you are doing the cows a favor and enjoy some of the best desserts known to man. Since you still drink the chocolate milk, don't worry about the dairy until after your trip. That way your not limiting yourself by placing rules on yourself. Just enjoy your trip!

 

[zakatak]

JDWright...

I appreciate your honesty and I love desserts. So, yes, I will probably give in a few times (cheesecake is my weakness as well as Zebra Domes!). However... since my change this time is based more on health, than animal rights, I feel like I can indulge "on vacation" a few times.

Here is the "BUT"... but cows don't need to be milked. Here is how a dairy farm works. Cows get bred. Cows give birth. Male calves are then taken to the Veal Farm and placed in small cages (the less they move the more tender the meat). Female calves are raised to be dairy cows. Now... the calves are never allowed to nurse. This is the milk that is automatically pumped from the cows. When the milk starts to dry up (happens eventually as in humans), they are either bred again (if they are young) or destroyed. All in all, not a pleasant life for anyone.

This is not a preach... trust me, I am no better than anyone else (as I wear my leather sandals typing this). I just wanted to clear up that fact that cows need to be milked. In a perfect world, the cow would be in the pasture and you would milk her for the family needs only (after her calf has had it's full)... think Little House on the Prairie!! lol

I hope I didn't offend you or anyone else as no offense was intended. I just wanted to state the truth.

Hugs,
Karen

P.S. I never threw paint! And I still can't stand fur coats. There is no need. We have enough man-made materials.

 

[las3888]

Well put, Zakatak!

I have found that as you enter each park, you will get the park map. In there, you will see the listing of restaurants for the park. You will then see brief descriptions of offerings at each restaurant (including counter service). At least one restaurant in every park has a vegetarian meal available (usually a veggie burger or something). Then you can plan your day around getting lunch at that particular counter service restaurant.

As an example, Cosmic Ray's in MK offers veggie burgers. They are SO good and they have that wonderful 'fixins' bar. They come on a wheat bun. I always make a point to have lunch there if we go to that park.

Good luck!

 

[WDW2002]

Any sit down restaurant should be able to accomidate you with a veggie meal. they suggest you call the restaurant a few days in advance to speak to the chef. I have never done this so I have no experience.

 

[Lisa P.]

Here's a page on Special Dietary Needs on the WDW Info Guide website. Along the left side of the page, you'll find links to specific subjects, like Vegan eating at WDW and Vegetarian Counter Service at WDW.

Some of my favorite light meals or snacks are:
--- baked potato cart in Liberty Square across from the Riverboat or in Epcot's Land pavilion
--- veggie eggrolls at a cart in Adventureland and another cart next to MGM's Great Movie Ride
--- fresh fruit or popcorn from vendors in each park
--- veggie wraps at some counter service restaurants
--- veggie chili in a huge pumpernickel bread bowl (we share).

Almost all hamburger places have the option of a veggie burger whether they list it on the menu or not, so ask! And if you are avoiding fried foods, they will usually substitute raw carrots for a side dish of french fries with any meal. Also, main food items can often be ordered a la carte, even if the menu only lists them as part of a meal deal. So don't waste your money on a full meal if you know you won't eat the sides offered. Again, just ask.

 

[aalan]

disney has come a long way since the 70's and the days of "moondogs" and "moonburgers." as other people have noted, alternative foods are offered at most places.
do check out the wdwig page for a decent idea. for a nice sit-down meal, i had some great tuna w/basmatic rice at the flying fish.

 

[CaptHook]

I was at WDW in March for a week and had no problem getting three square meals a day, plus plenty of snacks. We were staying at the Polynesian and the chef at the Kona Cafe made Vegan Tonga Toast for me every morning! I am a strict vegan and every restaurant we went to easily accomodated my special needs. Some of my favorites were the Flying Fish Cafe at BW, Brown Derby at MGM and the not to be missed California Grill at the Contemporary...they have probably the most spectacular vegan dish...it is a sampler from each station in the kitchen...when it arrived everyone seated near me craned the necks and inquired about the spectacular dish I had ordered! I was so enamoured with the California Grill that I am staying there for a week at the end of October.

As for snacks and sweets, its fairly easy to find fruit throughout the parks, also some of the candy stores do carry dark chocolate(no milk). It is VERY easy to stay true to your self AND have a blast at Disney. The vegetarian selections at the parks and resorts are varied and delightful.

PS - And no, I've never slashed leather seats, sprayed red paint on a fur coat or bombed a poultry truck...

 

[zakatak]

These are great ideas!! I am now officially past one week and going strong! (less 4 lbs too! ). Once I gave up dairy (ice cream) the sugar has seemed to disappear too. I know I said I wouldn't give up Milk Chocolate, but I haven't even craved it yet. In fact, when offered the other night, I only had two m&ms! (Not the whole bag, like I used to! )

Lisa (or anyone else)... Where can you get the vegie chili in the bread bowl? That sounds so good!

I am so excited! Thanks again everyone!

Karen

 

[Maleficent2]

hmmmmmmmmmm.....yummy


Mal

 

[WDW2002]

You can find the vegetarian chilli at the COLUMBIA HARBOUR HOUSE . I know it is on my list.

 

[Gillian]

I also like Columbia harbor house. Their salad with chicken was good. I ordered it without something, but I can't remember what. I don't eat bread or sugar, but I do have dairy. I think it had nuts on it.

Best of luck to you on sticking with it during vacation! Even though it's supposed to be fun, eating badly/differently can make you feel really yucky & then it's hard to enjoy yourself, right?